A bull rider knows that God has bigger plans after taking a bull’s horn in his neck. In the heart-pounding world of bull riding, the danger is never far away, and for Zach Naegele, a 24-year-old from Louisiana, the risk became painfully real on February 7 at the Conley Invitational Bull Ride in Florida. But despite the horrific accident that left him fighting for his life, Zach’s faith and belief in God’s plan have carried him through.
Zach was thrown into a life-and-death battle when a bull's horn struck him “straight to the neck,” just moments into his ride. “I lost over two gallons of blood, suffered nerve damage, and nicked my jugular,” Zach explained. “It was just a freak accident, but it did put me in the hospital unconscious and fighting for my life.”
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What Zach experienced in those agonizing moments was something no one could imagine—except perhaps God. As paramedics rushed to save him, he didn’t just fight for his life physically; he fought with everything in him spiritually. "It's different whenever you ask God for another day, and you thank him for every day, but it’s a whole new ball game when you ask for another breath," Zach shared, his voice filled with raw emotion.
Even as he faced a long road to recovery, Zach's unwavering faith in God’s plans for him stood firm. “I know that God has bigger plans for me in life,” he said, thankful to be alive. The accident, while terrifying, didn’t diminish his resolve to continue doing what he loves. “I’ve been riding bulls since I was 15. When I get on, I always know it could be my last time, but you never really think about it when you’re there,” he said.
Zach's story is one of survival, of strength, of deep trust in God’s plan. Through all of this, he knows that God isn’t done with him yet. The accident could’ve taken his life, but God had bigger plans, and Zach is choosing to live with that promise in mind.
It’s a story that reminds us of the power of prayer and faith, especially when we are knocked down. God is with us through it all, even when we can’t see the way forward.
As Zach recovers, this verse is the one that rings in his heart: "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." —Psalm 34:18
And with each breath, Zach is learning just how near God truly is—each breath a gift, each moment a chance to be thankful.
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Psalm 34:18 "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
h/t: People
Featured Image Credit: TikTok/FOX 13 Tampa Bay
