By Mallory Mattingly
Savannah Bananas star Robert Anthony Cruz, a.k.a. Coach Rac, recently reflected on the time he felt closest to God.
“Funny enough, the closest I’ve ever felt to God was not at church. It was not at a worship night. It was while I was driving. It’s while I was driving from West Palm Beach, Florida, to Southern California,” the baseball player shared in a video on Instagram.
“And I had just been released from pro baseball and thought that my dreams were dead,” he continued. “I had no backup plan, I had no money, and I felt this overwhelming peace and comfort. I was mourning the loss of my career, for sure, but I felt like God was holding me the whole drive home. And I almost miss it. I almost want to do that drive again.”
Related: Savannah Bananas Baseball Player Urges Fans ‘Keep God in Your Life’
That’s when Coach Rac recalled Psalm 34:18, which reads, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
“I felt that. And that’s not to belittle what anyone’s going through. There are way bigger reasons to mourn or feel broken hearted than losing a baseball career,” he said. “But just be comforted that the God who created us loves us and feels our pain, and I don’t think there’s ever a time where you will feel closer to God than when you are suffering or feeling broken heartedness.”
Many people commented on the post to offer their take on the topic.
“The absolute truth. Suffering draws us so much closer to Jesus. Suffering reveals our need for Him and moves us to a place of desperation for and dependence on Him. 🙌🏼♥️ all things aren’t good, but Romans 8:28 reminds us that He is working ALL of those things together for good,” one person wrote.
Another said, “Laying in a hospital bed alone not knowing if I was going to see my family again was when I was closest to God. When I surrendered myself to him that day I was baptized in fear and brought to faith.”
“I had a cancer scare last year. I do not have cancer, which is an answer to many prayers,” a third fan commented. “But the two closest times I’ve ever felt to Jesus was when I was in an MRI machine and when I was on a one hour drive awaiting rushed CAT scan results to see if I had the most worrisome cancer situation. God bless you for how you are letting Him use you for His kingdom.”
If you’re in a season of uncertainty or suffering, take heart knowing that God is walking through it with you.
Read Next: Savannah Bananas Star Declares ‘My Faith Is Everything to Me’
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