In the final round of the 1934 U.S. Open, Bobby Cruickshank appeared to be on his way to winning his first major tournament on the PGA tour. He had the lead on the 11th hole when a wayward shot miraculously bounced off a rock and onto the green.
Overjoyed, Cruickshank threw his club into the air, exclaiming, “Thank you, Lord!”
It turns out, he should have ducked. What goes up must come down. His golf club came down – right across his head, leaving a gash that required seven stitches. The tournament was delayed while the doctors treated the wound. When he returned, Cruickshank shot five over par for the last seven holes, losing the tournament by one stroke.
Nate Silver said, “Almost everyone’s instinct is to be overconfident.”
The Bible says it like this: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling” (Proverbs 16:18).
Recovery Step: Stay humble.
Author: Mark Denison
Mark and Beth Denison, married for 36 years, launched There’s Still Hope as a national movement to call men and women into lives of sexual integrity. Their ministry offers 90-day recovery plans for addicts and one-on-one and group coaching for addicts and their spouses. TSH also produces resources for pastors and churches to confront the porn epidemic that is destroying so many lives.
Dr. Denison was a senior pastor for over 30 years, NBA chaplain, and board chairman at Houston Baptist University three times. With a Master’s Degree in Addiction Recovery, Mark is a certified PSAP and active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Mark has written four books on recovery: Porn in the Pew, 365 Days to Sexual Integrity, A 90-Day Recovery Guide, and 40 Days to Porn-Free Living. His latest book, Jesus on the 12 Steps, will be released later this year.
