Barry “Butch” Wilmore, a NASA astronaut, recently talked about what really helped him get through a difficult nine-month stint on the ISS.
The 61-year-old devoted Christian talked candidly about finding serenity and meaning in space despite unforeseen setbacks that prolonged his stay in orbit in a recent interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network.
On June 5, 2023, Wilmore and astronaut Sunita Williams took off together on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.
NASA’s decision to delay Starliner’s return, which was initially planned for June 13, 2023, due to technical difficulties turned what was supposed to be a brief mission into months of uncertainty.
Much later than anticipated, on a Tuesday at 5:57 p.m. ET, the pair finally splashed down off the coast of Florida.
@abcnewsaus Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore have arrived back on Earth after a 17-hour journey in the four-person SpaceX Dragon Capsule. The pair spent 286 days onboard the International Space Station after the failure of Boeing’s Starliner capsule extended their original week-long mission. The SpaceX Dragon capsule containing Williams and Wilmore, along with their colleagues Aleksandr Gorbunov and Nick Hague, splashed down as planned off the Florida coast. All four astronauts have now been safely taken out of the capsule. Original reporting by Reuters and AP. Edit by David Douglas Stuart for ABC News Digital. To personalise your news & stay in the know, download the ABC News app via the link our bio. #ABCNews #NASA #SpaceX #Astronaut #Space #ISS ♬ original sound – ABC News Australia
Wilmore relied on his spirituality during the ordeal. He attributed his guidance to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, saying, “It all works out for those that will believe.” “How that relates to our lives is significant and important, as He is working out His plan and His purposes for His glory throughout all of humanity.”
Wilmore, a dedicated member of Providence Baptist Church in Pasadena, was born in Tennessee and currently resides in Texas with his wife Deanna and daughters Daryn and Logan.
Prior to and throughout the mission, his faith remained unwavering. He and Williams demonstrated their faith in God by praying with launchpad technicians just before liftoff.
Trust Rather Than Fear
Wilmore’s dependence on faith was reflected in his family. Following her father’s safe return, Daryn told DailyMail.com, “We know it was His plan, and the Lord has given us all peace throughout all of this.”
“Even if we don’t fully understand it, whatever the Lord does will be for our good and for His glory,” Deanna continued.
The prolonged mission attracted interest outside of NASA. Former President Donald Trump urged Elon Musk to save the astronauts in January, accusing then-President Joe Biden of “abandoning” them. NASA quickly modified the schedule to guarantee Wilmore and Williams’ safe return.
“However [God’s plan] plays out, I am content because I understand that,” Wilmore said after returning to Earth, reflecting on his greatest lesson. He is working on everything. He underlined that both happy and challenging times have a divine purpose for believers, citing Hebrews 11.