Ever since I was first drafted by the Eagles in 2012, I’ve had pretty good success in the NFL. In 2013 I had an especially great season, ending up second in the league for interceptions. My career was going really well and in the summer of 2015, I married my wife, Tess. But right after the wedding, I felt like I was under attack.

That summer I was traded from Philly—my home. It was completely unexpected, but we packed our bags and headed to Pittsburgh. Though we were devastated to be uprooted from our team and family, we were also excited for a new start with the Steelers. But that excitement didn’t last; I went from starting every game with the Eagles to sitting on the sideline for twelve weeks straight.

Finally, at the end of the season I was able to play but then was soon released. As a free agent, I expected to get a call from a team—any team—but January and February went by and I hadn’t heard from anyone. Going from being one of the best players in my position to having no one contacting me, I thought to myself, “Is this really happening?”

Eventually I signed with the Panthers, so Tess and I moved down to Charlotte, ready to start over. But I wasn’t on the team for more than three weeks before the Steelers put out a report that I had a career-ending injury, and once that report was out, Carolina released me.

I was shocked. I had no idea where this was coming from. I had often spoken to groups of people about having faith while battling adversity, but at this time I realized that it’s one thing to talk about adversity when things are going well, and it’s another to truly experience it.

When things seemed impossibly frustrating, Tess and I sat down and reevaluated the ways that we could get through this. We could sit and talk about how unfair it was or we could stand firm in our faith and follow the example of what Christ did in crisis: We could trust that God is in control and has a plan for our future.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” —Deuteronomy 31:6

Alone in a new city, with no family and no team, in an apartment that overlooks the stadium where I would no longer practice, we began to dig into God’s Word like we never had before. I went through the entire off-season without being signed, knowing that teams were worried about my “injury.” Both Tess and I were afraid that we wouldn’t be able to use this platform anymore. Would my career be over before we really got to use it for God’s glory? We didn’t want to waste this opportunity!

But God answered our prayers in the final hour.

The very last day before training camp started I received a call from the Chicago Bears. I was back on a team.

But the adversity didn’t stop. Only a week into practicing with the Bears, I tore my pectorals. Suddenly I went from never missing a game to missing the entire season.

It’s been a year of battling, but during this time I’ve experienced my faith in God to be more real than ever. God is still good as I rehab both mentally and physically. And throughout this time, we have known that our family and friends back home are covering us in prayer. I realized that there are people who care more about me and Tess than they do about my career. They don’t just love me when I am playing on the field, they love us no matter what our circumstances are. And I know that God’s love for us is even greater.

“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” —Romans 8:28

I’ve learned that when going through adversity, you really need to humble yourself and accept the grace and love of God. My understanding of Him has grown significantly through these trials. I’ve been so busy with football for such a long time that I’ve never really dug into the Word like I’ve been able to lately. I’m also able to use more of my time pouring into others who might be struggling.

There were times when I began to lose faith and think that my career was over but God always comes through and provides just what I need in His perfect timing. God brought me through my biggest fear—being cut and embarrassed on national television—and I’m still here. My foundation in Christ has brought me through, and I know that God will use this testimony to shine light on Him.

“Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” —1 Corinthians 15:57-58

I now know that without having a test, you can’t have a testimony. How you respond when everything seems to be against you really shows others what’s truly important to you. This is my testimony and I want to use it for God’s glory.

—Brandon Boykin

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