Baylor Bramble is my brother’s best friend. Baylor is a faithful friend, a passionate Christian, and loves people so well. On October 23, 2015, 17-year-old Baylor played in his first varsity football game of his high school career. During the game, he complained of a headache and then lost consciousness. He was transported to the hospital via Life Flight and immediately underwent emergency surgery due to a massive brain bleed. He was hospitalized for six months, and received therapy and treatment at four different facilities before coming home on Wednesday, April 20.
Our community was devastated, confused and at times just plain angry. We knew that God was telling us to trust Him, but it was hard. It was real hard, and it still is sometimes. I often wondered what the purpose was behind this. How could this happen to Baylor of all people? I remember the night of the injury I wrote in my journal begging God to heal Baylor in a way that only He could because I knew, medically speaking, healing was not possible. I know many in our community prayed that same prayer.
From the moment of the injury, the Bramble family has been steady in their faith. In a time that could have turned them bitter, they instead chose each day to find peace, purpose, and joy in this storm and trust that the Lord is still good. They chose faith over fear. Within days of the accident, Baylor’s story had gone viral. People were amazed at how faithful the Bramble family was to God and His plan. Their faith was contagious. People who had never prayed before prayed for Baylor. I think I can speak for everyone who has had the privilege to know the Bramble family or have heard Baylor’s story when I say the last six months have changed my life. I have prayed like never before, I have pressed into God like never before, and I have seen miracles before my very eyes. While Baylor still has a long road to recovery, he has been healed in ways that are nothing short of miracles. He is breathing on his own, his eyes are open, he is participating in therapy, and he is finally home!
Here's what I have learned in the past six months, thanks to Baylor and the Bramble family, about how to find peace, hope and even JOY in the midst of any tragedy.
1. Have faith in ALL circumstances.
If nothing bad ever happens, you don’t need any faith. Faith in God includes faith in His timing. God will not delay answering your prayer even a millisecond too late. He is always right on time. I am learning to trust God with a child-like faith. I am learning to trust Him with a faith that doesn’t have all the answers, but has an assurance that God is who He says He is. He is on our team, He is for us and He is with us.
2. Prayer is POWERFUL.
Prayer is an admission that we are not in control, yet at the same time, completely and confidently under God’s control (Psalm 103:19). No prayer is too big for God. Nothing is too much for him. He hears each prayer and bends down to listen (Psalm 116:2).
3. God equips us with peace, hope, and courage to face ANY situation.
He knows exactly what we need. When Baylor was at the hospital, my brother and his friends flipped to a random book of the Bible, picked chapter 16, Baylor’s age at the time and verse 33, Baylor’s football number. Together, it was John 16:33 which reads: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” If that’s not God speaking, I don’t know what is.
4. Never lose HOPE.
No matter how bad the situation looks, do not give up. Do not lose hope. Do not quit praying. As Christians, we have a hope that is secure and certain. The hope for the Christian is not only that God will be with us every step of the way, but also He works all things for the good of those who love Him. We can hope with certainty that He will fulfill His promises to us.
5. Find JOY.
There is always something to be thankful for and there is always something to praise God for. Actively look for the joy within every situation.
Let's remember Baylor's story next time we are going through a storm in our lives. May we choose to respond with an attitude of faith over fear. Please join me in continuing to #Pray4Baylor as he continues his miraculous recovery. We know the same hands that spread out the stars hold Baylor’s hand through his recovery, and also hold our hands as we pray in expectation for the miracles to come.
