Life is a marathon, not a sprint. Along the way, we face trials, setbacks, and moments where we feel like giving up. But on the other side of our greatest struggles lies the greatest victories. This is the story of Wilbur Miller—a man who endured deep pain, loss, and hardship but found ultimate redemption and healing through Jesus Christ.
The Runner’s Journey
For Wilbur, running was more than just exercise—it was where he found peace. It was his place to process, to breathe, to escape. But long before he ran his first marathon, Wilbur was running from something far more painful: a past filled with abuse, rejection, and unimaginable hardship.
Growing up in a strict Amish home, Wilbur was the only one of seven siblings who eventually left the Amish way of life. His childhood was marked by poverty, hunger, and fear. His father, an angry alcoholic, ruled the home with an iron fist. Wilbur and his siblings endured beatings, humiliation, and the constant weight of survival. Some nights, his lunchbox held nothing but a small piece of cake. Other nights, he was left outside in the cold as punishment, wondering if anyone truly cared.
By the time he was a teenager, he longed to escape. His father’s words cut deep—convincing him he would never amount to anything. At 18, he left home, determined to break free from his past. But instead of finding healing, he found himself trapped in a cycle of alcohol, reckless living, and self-destruction.
Hitting the Wall
Like a marathon runner hitting “the wall,” Wilbur reached a breaking point. No matter how hard he tried to run from his pain, it always caught up to him. The emptiness inside led him down dark paths—even seeking answers from the occult.
But God had a different plan.
A stranger began appearing in his life—multiple times—at random locations. This man shared his testimony and told Wilbur about Jesus. At first, Wilbur brushed it off, but the words lingered. Then, during a long-haul trucking trip, Wilbur’s truck broke down in the middle of nowhere. With no distractions, no escape, and no one to call, he found himself alone with his thoughts. That night, inside the cab of his semi-truck, Wilbur surrendered his life to Christ.
Crossing the Finish Line
Everything changed from that moment. Though his family opposed his decision to follow Jesus, Wilbur pressed on. He began attending church, was baptized, and for the first time, felt true freedom. The chains of his past no longer defined him—he was a new creation.
Forgiving his father was one of the hardest steps, but Wilbur knew he couldn’t fully embrace his healing without it. He wrote his father a heartfelt letter, pouring out years of pain and finally releasing it to God. Though his father never spoke of it, Wilbur later learned the letter had been read by his entire family. Even though their relationship wasn’t perfect, something had shifted. The generational curse was broken.
Yet, life still had trials. Years later, he and his wife faced a devastating betrayal—false accusations that threatened everything they had built. But instead of bitterness, they chose forgiveness. It wasn’t easy, but they knew that just as Christ had forgiven them, they were called to extend that same grace.
Keep Running
Wilbur’s story is a testament to God’s power to restore and redeem. The Christian life isn’t always easy—it requires endurance, much like a marathon. But as Isaiah 40:31 reminds us, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
No matter what you’ve been through, no matter how broken you feel, God’s love is greater. He restores. He redeems. And He calls you to run with Him—to push past the pain and into the victory He has prepared for you.
If you feel like you’ve hit a wall in life, don’t stop. Keep running. Keep believing. God is with you, and He has already overcome the world.
Are you ready to take the next step in your faith journey? The best time to start is now.