“At 7:18 a.m. on January 1, 2020, I died.”
That’s the opening sentence in a newly written account of Gary Miracle’s incredible personal experience. Fast-forward to today. His body is very different. His faith is stronger. His outlook is positive - and his passion is all about encouraging people to know and trust a good God.
“No More Bad Days,” available soon, takes a reader into unimaginable emotional depths. Gary went from a six-foot-two pretty health guy to a very changed man with amputated hands and feet.
It all started with a case of the flu, followed by an allergic reaction to medication. There was flatlining, septic shock, a 1.7% chance of survival, a coma, and the realization that life would forever be changed.
After an unimaginable 107-day hospital stay, all of that accumulated bad news could be enough to crush another person. But it brought out something in Gary’s spirit that helped him move ahead without anger or lasting discouragement.
Perhaps unexpectedly, and certainly thankfully, “When I found out about my amputations, I had an incredible peace” and Gary’s thoughts went to the biblical Book of Job, “The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away – and for 39 years of my life the Lord has given me hands and legs, but at that point in time, it was time for him to take away. And I can’t be okay with him giving if I’m not okay with him taking away.” Gary adds, “So whether he’s giving or whether he’s taking away, I just want to make him the center of attention in my life and bless him as much as I possibly can, because at the end of the day I’m here and I’m alive - and a 1.7% chance to live didn’t stand a chance up against God!”
Gary’s determined recovery was featured with poignant images in the music video “Say I Won’t” by MercyMe, which went viral with nearly 7-million views on YouTube (see the link to watch it further below). Bart Millard, the frontman for MercyMe, has written the foreword for Gary’s book, saying in part, “After watching Gary literally fight for his life, finding out his limbs were going to have to be amputated, but seeing that he was going to make it, “Say I Won’t” took a turn for me and became my personal outlet to write about what I was feeling while watching his journey. The song turned into an anthem of how life is so precious that we need to fight for it, changing to more of an overcomer song.”
Being very real, Gary explains, “My struggles that we’re talking about right now are extremely visible – and other struggles aren’t … but the scariest things on this planet, in my opinion, are the struggles that you can’t see, the invisible struggles, the people that are battling with anxiety – and anxiety is a very real thing in today’s age - or depression, or eating disorders, finances, marriages, pornography.” Gary prays that “No More Bad Days” gives people the will “to fight for life” – real life. And Gary is 100% certain that Jesus has been walking – and always will walk with him, even though the once simple task of walking has taken on a whole new dynamic.
We invite you to listen to our complete podcast interview – just below – as Gary shares his very changed life which is linked to Christ more than ever. And you’ll hear MercyMe’s Bart Millard share his appreciation for Gary’s positive outlook and bold expression of faith. Bart will also explain why he was emotionally unable to visit his friend Gary at the hospital. Some real transparency.