God Saved My Brother
Sometimes life hands us seasons so grueling, we can hardly see our way through. For my brother Timmy, that season stretched into years—years of misdiagnoses, pain, isolation, and a battle just to stay alive. Watching someone you love slowly wither while doing everything you can to help—it’s heartbreaking. And yet, through it all, God never left. His mercy was steady. His grace, sufficient.
Tim’s health journey is one marked by perseverance, confusion, and finally, a breakthrough. What began as a misdiagnosis of Type 2 diabetes eventually turned out to be LADA (latent autoimmune diabetes in adults)—a form of Type 1 diabetes that typically develops later in life. For six years, Tim wasn’t on insulin. The damage to his body was mounting. His weight plummeted to a dangerous low, and he developed a brutal condition called dysautonomia, where the autonomic nervous system essentially forgets how to function properly. His resting heart rate was 177. Every breath was labored. Every day was survival.
As a family, we watched helplessly. This wasn’t just about numbers on a lab report. It was about watching a man who once surfed some of the gnarliest waves in the world—a guy who carried kids on his back while charging through the ocean—slowly fade. There were days I feared he wouldn’t wake up.
But God…
God gave us the courage to try something unconventional. I had come across Cellular Performance Institute (CPI) in Mexico. Their work with stem cell therapy had caught my attention, mostly used for injuries, but also with some powerful testimonials related to chronic illnesses and autoimmune conditions. It felt like a long shot. But it was a shot worth taking. Within six weeks of treatment, Timmy was a different man. He was alive again—not just breathing, but living.
I can’t tell you how it felt to see him pick up his daughter and carry her up a steep hill—something he hadn’t done in years. Or to watch him paddle back out into the ocean, greeted by shocked smiles from his old surf crew. God didn’t just restore Tim’s body—He brought back his joy. And for the first time in years, he could say, “I love life.”
But even through the worst of it, when his body was wasting away, and the pain was unbearable, Tim’s heart still clung to Jesus. He said something that has stayed with me: “With every breath, I was almost breathing out, ‘Lord, have mercy.’”
And He did.
God was merciful. Even when Tim couldn’t feel His presence, even when nothing made sense medically, even when the depression and exhaustion made it nearly impossible to get out of bed, God never let go.
This life isn’t easy. We aren’t promised health or prosperity. But we are promised that Jesus will walk with us through the valley. And for those who are in Christ, we are promised a future free from suffering. As Tim reminded us, “This life is a blink of an eye.” Eternity is coming. That truth anchored him. And it can anchor you, too.
If you’re walking through a hard season—maybe physically, mentally, or spiritually—I hope Tim’s story reminds you that there’s still hope. Keep breathing. Keep crying out, “Lord, have mercy.” Even if healing doesn’t look like what you expected, know that God sees you. And He is still good.
Two Major Takeaways:
Persistence and Faith Matter: Even when answers are slow and healing feels far off, continue to fight for your health—and more importantly, cling to your faith. Tim’s resilience and relentless pursuit of truth, paired with prayer and support, opened the door for incredible healing.
God’s Mercy Shows Up in the Storm: Our suffering isn’t wasted. Whether healing comes now or in eternity, God is with us through every breath, every tear, and every unanswered question. He is Emmanuel—God with us—even in the darkest hours.
Listen to the whole podcast here!
Scripture Encouragement:
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
—Psalm 34:18 (ESV)
“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.”
—2 Corinthians 4:17 (ESV)
So wherever you are in your story—whether you're walking through fire or just stepping into the unknown—take heart. God is with you. And the best is still ahead.
With love and hope,
Bethany 💛
