A Florida man is praising God after a cross necklace gifted by his father helped save his life when he was accidentally shot in the chest.

Aiden Perry, 20, was just feet away from a friend who was showing off a .40-caliber pistol on June 7 when the firearm accidentally discharged. In an instant, Aiden found himself bleeding heavily, unsure if he would survive.

“I looked down, I see tons of blood,” Perry told WOFL-TV. “I thought I was going to die, honestly.”

But God, he says, had other plans.

“I think God played a big role in this,” Perry told WESH-TV, crediting the Lord for sparing his life. “I think He’s the reason that I’m still here today.”

The incident, while terrifying, has strengthened Perry’s faith. “It’s just kind of a reminder now—to never stop believing,” he said. “Keep believing, and God’s definitely real.”

Doctors at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital said Perry was “extremely lucky.” The metallic components of his cross necklace absorbed much of the bullet’s force, slowing its trajectory and preventing catastrophic damage to his heart or lungs.

“The bullet ricocheted off the necklace and entered his chest small,” Dr. Khafra Garcia-Henry explained, noting the bullet became lodged in Perry’s fat tissue rather than tearing through vital organs. If Perry had not been wearing the necklace, the doctor said, the bullet could have pierced his chest wall and injured his lung or heart.

The cross necklace, which became a shield in the moment Perry needed it most, was a Christmas gift from his father, Aaron Perry. What once was a symbol of faith around Aiden’s neck has now become a tangible reminder of God’s protection and provision.

Perry’s story resonates with many believers, offering a powerful testimony that God is present even in the most frightening and unexpected moments. While Perry faces a recovery journey with lingering pain, he continues to give thanks for the miracle that spared his life.

According to WESH-TV, the man responsible for the accidental discharge was arrested and charged with culpable negligence causing injury.

As Perry recovers, he is asking others to keep him in prayer as he heals physically and continues to process the incident’s emotional impact. His testimony reminds us that God can turn moments of fear into opportunities to witness His faithfulness and power in ways we least expect.

For Aiden Perry, the cross around his neck was more than a piece of jewelry—it became a shield that saved his life and strengthened his faith, leaving him with one clear conviction: “God’s definitely real.”