{"id":570,"date":"2020-01-27T14:57:34","date_gmt":"2020-01-27T14:57:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/foreverinourhearts\/?p=570"},"modified":"2020-01-27T14:58:11","modified_gmt":"2020-01-27T14:58:11","slug":"kobe-bryant-was-a-man-of-faith-in-his-darkest-moments-he-turned-to-god","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/foreverinourhearts\/2020\/01\/kobe-bryant-was-a-man-of-faith-in-his-darkest-moments-he-turned-to-god.html","title":{"rendered":"Kobe Bryant Was a Man of Faith, in His Darkest Moments He Turned to God"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Alexandra Walt\/Flickr.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As we continue to wrap our heads around the sudden death of basketball legend Kobe Bryant, who died on Sunday in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, many are reflecting on Bryant\u2019s faith which helped him through one of the most challenging periods of his life.<\/p>\n

The former Laker was raised in a Catholic household. He married his wife, Vanessa at a Catholic parish in Southern California. They regularly attended a church in Orange County, California, Catholic News Agency reports.<\/p>\n

Two years after he married Vanessa, they had their first child. Bryant\u2019s basketball career was booming, he had a series of major endorsements \u2013 he was on top of the world. Then, it all came crashing down.<\/p>\n

In 2003, Bryant was accused of raping a woman in his hotel room. He admitted to having sex with the woman but denied rape. His charges were eventually dropped, but the woman went on to a file a civil lawsuit which was settled outside of court. Following all of this, Bryant issued a public apology. He shared how ashamed he was of what he had done.<\/p>\n

Following the accusations, sponsors dropped him and his reputation was tarnished. In 2011, his wife filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences. During one of the most difficult periods of his life, Bryant turned to his Catholic Faith.<\/p>\n

In a 2015 interview with GQ, he explained how God turned his life around:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe one thing that really helped me during that process \u2014 I\u2019m Catholic, I grew up Catholic, my kids are Catholic \u2014 was talking to a priest. It was actually kind of funny: He looks at me and says, \u2018Did you do it?\u2019 And I say, \u2018Of course not.\u2019 Then he asks, \u2018Do you have a good lawyer?\u2019 And I\u2019m like, \u2018Uh, yeah, he\u2019s phenomenal.\u2019 So then he just said, \u2018Let it go. Move on. God\u2019s not going to give you anything you can\u2019t handle, and it\u2019s in his hands now. This is something you can\u2019t control. So let it go.\u2019 And that was the turning point.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also shared that he was determined to fight for his marriage.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going to say our marriage is perfect, by any stretch of the imagination,\u201d Kobe told GQ. \u201cWe still fight, just like every married couple. But you know, my reputation as an athlete is that I\u2019m extremely determined, and that I will work my a** off. How could I do that in my professional life if I wasn\u2019t like that in my personal life, when it affects my kids? It wouldn\u2019t make any sense.\u201d<\/p>\n

After some tumultuous years, Bryant and his wife reconciled and decided to stay together. They had four children together.<\/p>\n

His faith also played a big role in his family\u2019s charitable giving. They started the Kobe & Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation to give back, with a major focus on helping the homeless and young people in need.<\/p>\n

A 2012 Los Angeles Times profile of Bryant\u2019s work with the homeless gave a glimpse of Bryant\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cBryant was quick to acknowledge that everyone has made poor choices in their life, including himself. He said that\u2019s no justification for people to turn their backs on those who have been reduced to what he called \u2018white noise.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Prayers and condolences have been flooding in on social media from former teammates and colleagues, friends, celebrities and fans around the world. Los Angeles Archbishop Jos\u00e9 H. Gomez also issued his condolences on Sunday.<\/p>\n

\n

So very sad to hear the news of #KobeBryant<\/a>\u2019s tragic death this morning. I am praying for him and his family. May he rest in peace and may our Blessed Mother Mary bring comfort to his loved ones. #KobeBryantRIP<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/QYMRL7RvCL<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Abp. Jos\u00e9 H. Gomez (@ArchbishopGomez) January 26, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n