FAITH: God helped USJ's Peel through ACL injury

When an injury happens, the initial thought is going to be on the pain, but after that, the questions of why did this happen to me and why did this happen during this point in my career take over.

University School of Jackson senior Rhett Peel went through those questions during his junior year of football, but it was Peel's faith in God and his patience to see God's message for him that helped pull him through.

"I tore my ACL last football season, and it was a really tough time," Peel said. "It was a dark time for obvious reasons. I was working in rehab, and I could feel these people around me lifting me up. They did a great job. It took me a while to realize it because I was thinking this is a terrible time and I didn't understand. But then I realized this is God working. This is God showing me what I needed to do each and every day to live life to the fullest."

So that is the person that many students at USJ know Peel as everyday.

"I try to show God's love by living life, being happy," Peel said. "I try to talk to people in the hallways, sitting with people at lunch when they need it. There is so much negativity in the world that I see, so many people that keep to themselves or don't work to bring other people up. I try to be a person people want to be around."

To be the person God wants him to be, Peel makes sure to spend time daily with God.

"I read my Bible, and I have a study time almost every morning, Peel said. "I have a devotion book. I try to make church on Wednesdays, but it is hard sometimes during the season."

That faith is also something that Peel tries to carry over onto the football field and baseball field.

"I think my faith does show on the baseball field 100 percent," Peel said. "I feel like when you have faith in God, you are a happier person. I feel it makes everything easier, and it makes you go out and play for a reason. You go out and play to glorify Him and show His love for you."

Growing up a Christian, God has filled many roles for Peel in his life.

"To me God is a couple people," Peel said. "He is someone that I look up to. He is my savior. He is someone I strive to be like, and he sets the precedent of how I try to go about each and every day of my life."

Peel attends Englewood Baptist Church, and he is active in the youth group and been to church camps before.

Reach Michael Odom at michodom@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9754. Follow him on Twitter @JSWriterMichael.

Rhett Peel's favorite verse 

Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.