It is well with my soul.

There’s a hymn that has carried me through trials: It Is Well with My Soul. Written by Horatio Spafford after losing his wife and daughters in a shipwreck, one stanza particularly resonated with me: “When peace like a river attendeth my way… It is well with my soul.”

I was living my dream as a full-time collegiate coach at UNC Charlotte, even earning a promotion to Associate Head Coach. My journey had taken me from playing in the USL to coaching at Miami of Ohio (until the program was cut), then to a Division II head coaching position for two seasons before reaching Charlotte.

During this time, my wife and I started our family. By my fifth season, we had three children, and when my wife became pregnant again, we discovered it was twins! Reality and joy hit hard—five kids, a small assistants salary, a three-bedroom, one-bath house, and mounting financial pressure. I was hustling, running camps, and picking up side jobs just to stay in coaching. But with no open positions in college soccer, I faced the truth: I needed to surrender my dream to provide for my family. “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established” (Proverbs 16:3).

I started interviewing outside the field, receiving offers from two insurance firms. I was prepared to walk away from coaching. But then, in a casual conversation, the women’s soccer staff asked about my job search. When I mentioned Butler University, one coach said, “I used to work there—want me to call?” That call led to my first NCAA Division I head coaching position—goal achieved! A nice raise, my own camps doubling my income, and the cost of living 30% lower than Charlotte. “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

Where Faith Was Truly Tested

We moved to Indianapolis, rented a home, and started building the Butler program. Then, one day, a sheriff knocked on our door with an eviction notice. My six-month-pregnant with twins wife stood there in shock. We had unknowingly rented from a landlord who hadn’t paid property taxes. Though apologetic, the sheriff said we had to go. To break our lease, we had to pay over $1,000 in legal fees.

Meanwhile, at 28 weeks, my wife finally saw a doctor, and we were rushed to Riley Children’s Hospital with a diagnosis of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. The doctors gave our boys a slim chance of survival. Three days later, an emergency C-section was performed. One son, Sean, lived less than an hour. Our surviving son, Stephen, was in critical condition. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

For the next 3.5 months, Stephen remained in the NICU. We lived 35 minutes away, knew no one, and were overwhelmed. We called the church we had attended twice, seeking prayers. They plugged us into their ministry for families in crisis—providing meals, childcare, and support. The ministry was called The Stephen Ministry. The name of our surviving son? Stephen. “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you” (Jeremiah 1:5). For months, strangers knocked on our door, delivering meals, watching our children, and showing us the hands and feet of Jesus. It was humbling and life-changing.

Surrendering Led to True Provision

I had surrendered my dream of coaching, only to have God give it back. Then came the true test—would I now question Him amid suffering? Had I received all I wanted only to doubt His providence? “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” (Job 38:4). I had to trust Him.

Through it all, It Is Well with My Soul came to my mind. Every day, I listened to it on my drive between work and the hospital, letting the words settle deep. And James 1 reminded me: “The one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind” (James 1:6). I asked, and God provided. I could not now turn and question Him.

God calls us to rely on Him, to seek Him, to surrender. And He provides. If you are in the midst of an unexpected journey, know that He is with you. “Be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:9). It’s in the Bible 365 times—because we need it every single day.

Be encouraged. God is in your adventure.