#111 Peace Like a River - Granger Smith
Granger Smith was a country music icon who was living a star-studded life performing sold-out concerts across America. But when tragedy struck, everything came tumbling down, and Granger had to confront head-on… Who exactly was the God of the Bible?
Granger sat in the dark tour bus, his entire body racked with sobs.
The buzz of alcohol had stripped him of any shred of control; he felt like he was unraveling at the edges, slipping over the edge of sanity.
“No, no, no… please, not now… I can’t…”
But he couldn’t stop it; that awful day immediately flooded Granger’s mind, the same scenes replaying over and over in his head like a horror movie, just as vivid as they had been in real life six months ago.
His little son River floating face down in the pool… his limp body in Granger’s arms… watching him cough up water, so much water… the ambulance sirens screaming down the road… the doctor’s expression entering the room… “There’s no hope… I’m sorry…”
Granger gripped his knees, tears streaming down his face and hitting the floor. His chest filled with panic, until he felt his heart would explode.
Suddenly, a new thought burst into his mind.
“I know what to do.”
Granger leaned over, and fumbled open a drawer.
He reached in… and pulled out a pistol.
Then he flicked off the safety switch and pointed the barrel at his own head.
With the cold gun heavy in his shaking hand, Granger suddenly sensed a change. The horrific scenes continued to roll in his head, but now there was something new; a cold, low voice, whispering,
“Granger… I know you just want rest. And you can have it… just pull the trigger.”
A chill swept over Granger, and terror wrenched his gut as he realized:
“I’m not alone…”
The deep voice continued to murmur, and Granger felt his hand subtly tighten around the gun’s trigger.
“H-how long has this… been influencing me? How long have I been listening…”
Granger stared at the cold metal barrel, and the black hole in the center; he imagined squeezing the trigger and succumbing to the darkness.
Helplessness gripped his entire body, and Granger screamed aloud into the darkness,
“Jesus, please! Save me!”
Listen now to Granger’s true story of loss and restoration!
🔗 Links
Poison in the Well: 11 Toxic Beliefs That Kept Me from the Living Water of Jesus(Granger’s new book releasing in September, available for pre-order now)
Like a River: Finding the Faith and Strength to Move Forward after Loss and Heartache (Granger's first book, detailing his journey of faith after River’s passing)
Up Toward the Light (Granger’s first children’s book)
Granger’s show, The 9941 Podcast (Apple, Spotify, or YouTube)
Granger’s music (on Spotify)
”Backroad Song” by Granger Smith (on Spotify)
Granger’s apparel company, YeeYee
🔗 Video
Below is the John Piper sermon on John 14 that Granger was listening to in his truck that convicted him that he didn’t actually know God’s Word.
🎧 3 Recommended Episodes
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