By Michaela Gordoni
Bethany Hamilton lost her arm in a shark attack when she was a teenager, but she’s shown courage throughout all of her circumstances.
“Losing my arm changed everything — but taught me so much about life,” Hamilton said in an Instagram post on July 22. “Every day is about adjusting, learning, and growing. Whatever you’re facing, know this: with God there’s always a way forward. You just have to be willing to find it. 💪🌊”
After her shark attack, Bethany inspired millions around the world by getting right back on her surfboard. She’s competed in surfing competitions across the world and has won several of them.
Her story is told in the Teddy Bear Award® winning movie SOUL SURFER and the documentary UNSTOPPABLE.
Hamilton also shared a photo of herself in the hospital after the attack, a picture of the giant shark that took her arm, the bite that was taken out of her board and then her now with her husband and four kids.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for our Good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28” Hamilton shared.
“Don’t give up, look to God! He can take the pain, the hard stuff, the dark moment and make beauty out of it all!!! I’m cheering all of you on!” she said.
Hamilton goes more into depth about her faith and experiences on her podcast, “All Things Possible.”
She says that God gave her the courage to get back in the water after her accident.
“So many people, they’re constantly coming to me like, ‘How could you get back in the ocean with sharks?” Hamilton said on her podcast. “Or ‘how could you even think about surfing with one arm? Like, I’d go the other direction.’ I don’t know, I guess that just how God made me.”
“He put that desire to want to surf and push myself and to overcome those fears along the way. And I definitely know that while surfing has taught me a lot, it’s pushed me and molded me in so many amazing ways as sports often can do,” she said. “My faith has been my rock and my foundation through the many trials and hardships that started so young.”
Hamilton’s story is an important reminder that even when we face devastating challenges, God provides hope, strength and a way forward if you’re willing to look for it.
Read Next: Bethany Hamilton Keeps Trusting God’s Plan 21 Years After Shark Attack
Questions or comments? Please write to us here.
- Content: +1Share:
- Content: +3