HOW DID BRYAN DIE?

Whether out of sheer curiosity or there was an inner nudge that brought you here, I feel compelled to share a story with you that’s deeply personal and difficult for me to tell. It’s filled with vulnerability and pain, yet it carries an important message that may resonate with you or someone you care about.

This story I am about to share is my own—a raw and unfiltered journey through my deepest struggles. It contains truths with the potential to transform lives.

Deep in my heart, in one form or another, I believe EVERYONE is hurting. Our world today is undoubtedly facing great turmoil, and it is yearning for a wake-up call.

Now, before my ‘death’, I was probably like many of you reading this right now – busy, always in a rush, and well…just tired. I was caught up in the pursuit of something ingrained in our culture: the American dream and alongside it, the message that we need to “live our best life”. But the more I acquired, the more insatiable my appetite became. 

On the surface, I seemed okay, but deep down…I was crumbling— I felt empty and purposeless.

It was almost as if I was missing something vital and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t figure out why I felt like this. After all, I felt I had it all: an attractive girlfriend, a house, a nice car, plenty of friends, a successful career…

So then…what was I missing?

Was I just ungrateful?

In a relentless pursuit of success, fueled by stress and anxiety, alcohol and music quickly became my escape and form of relaxation, trapping me in an unhealthy and vicious cycle. At home, I became easily irritable; and admittedly, I took out my frustrations on the wrong people – those closest to me.

 It didn’t stop there – gambling, pornography, sex, and even occasional drug use, among others—all became desperate ways to fill the void within.

I was a lost soul masquerading as a charming real estate rockstar. To comfort myself, I foolishly embraced the deceptive belief that I was “ahead” in life compared to most people my age.

My life became a relentless chase for money, success, and pleasure—idols that I thought would bring fulfillment. Yet, as the years slipped away like sand through an hourglass, I realized these pursuits only offered fleeting pride and a constant craving for more. Each burst of dopamine left me feeling emptier than before, my hunger for true happiness unfulfilled.

Despite all my outward success, the emptiness inside persisted. I had everything society said would make me happy, but deep down, I was still searching for meaning. Frustration and weariness consumed me as I struggled against the relentless pursuit of chasing “more”…but “more” seemed to have no end in sight—I was trapped.

I was living this bleak life for nearly most of my 20’s until one day…

…my existence took an unexpected and profound turn…

…altering the course of my life, forever.

It was during a real estate conference trip to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, with my broker, Mike Mazyck, I found myself unexpectedly confronted with probing questions about my personal life during a round of golf before the event. Mike’s questions to me completely caught me off guard. Despite my initial reluctance, I timidly responded with:

“things were good”—though deep down, I knew they weren’t.

To my surprise, Mike then delivered a mix of bad news and good news, and for the remainder of that afternoon and throughout the rest of the trip, he poured into me; sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The sobering reality is this:

Without placing our faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we face the prospect of eternal separation from God and the torment of HELL due to our inherent sinful nature.

HOWEVER…

…THERE IS HOPE IN THE GOOD NEWS:

JESUS IS INDEED OUR SAVIOR!

He willingly paid the ultimate price, sacrificing himself on the cross for our sins, so that we need not endure the horrors of eternal damnation. All that is required of us is to acknowledge our sinful ways, repent, and place our COMPLETE faith in Jesus.

That’s all—NOTHING else is required!

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

When Mike shared the gospel with me, I vividly recall seeing the fear and trembling of a man who is deeply acquainted with God, and the love in his eyes he has for Him, as he proclaimed to me the truth.

In that moment, as I believed,

it felt as if my entire life I had once known was nothing but an utter LIE.

And something inside,

began to take hold within me.

…

I ‘DIED’.

The ‘OLD’ me was gone, and a ‘NEW’ me was born.

and the weight of the world lifted from my shoulders.

From then on, everything I had once loved and desired began to repulse me. I underwent a transformation—a complete 180: I became sober, distanced myself from all my friends, and ended a long-term relationship that did not align my walk with God. I stopped being concerned with, and frankly detached from, many of the trivial concerns of life.  

While your experiences and pain may not mirror my own, we all have a breaking point. So, if you’re feeling lost or broken and feel like just giving up, know that there’s hope. It’s time to stop trying to find escapes to mask and fill the void in your heart, as I once did. In the midst of the world’s chaos and pressures, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters among the empty promises it offers.

The World Tells Us To Live Life On Our Terms …but Are We Truly Happy?

Or are we chasing a life that we “think” we want, often influenced by what we see on social media? One that glorifies wealth, freedom in lifestyle choices, and pleasure – all largely contrary to God’s word. Are we willing to risk eternity in Hell for fleeting earthly pleasures? 

Time is quickly passing us all by. Lost time is never found again. In a heartbeat, with just a blink of an eye or the snap of a finger, our time here on this earth could very well be up at any moment. I know it’s unsettling to think about, but death is an inevitable part of life. It’s this very realization that has sparked a deep concern within me for the well-being of others , especially our youth, who are in the crosshairs of the Enemy.

In Jesus Christ, we find a beacon of hope that illuminates our darkest moments. Christ extends forgiveness, healing, and a new beginning to all who come to Him. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you; transforming what seems like an end into a hopeful and joyful new beginning. He provides rest in this life and in the life to come. 

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”

(Matthew 11:28)

No matter what your story involves—whether it’s the loss of a loved one, coming from a broken family, or facing everyday struggles—relief can be found in Him.

Take a moment now to reflect:

• Do you feel a persistent void that material things cannot fill?

• Are you seeking relief from the scars of your past?

• Suppose that you were to die today and stand before God and he were to say to you, “Why should I let you into my heaven?”…what would you say?

In Christ, your scars will not have the final word over your life—His scars will.

I pray that my story serves as a light in the darkness, guiding you and others to the love and salvation that Jesus Christ offers.

THE TIME TO TURN TO HIM IS NOW, FOR TOMORROW IS NEVER GUARANTEED.