Heralded among Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time, the status of Carlos Santana in the music industry is legendary. He’s earned a multitude of awards that include 10 Grammy Awards and 3 Latin Grammies for his iconic rock and Latin fusion compositions.
His name itself has been built into a brand since his performance debut in the 1970’s. But Carlos doesn’t take the credit for his life of fame and fortune. Instead, he eagerly gives the glory back to God and continually thanks Him for his musical inspiration.
Not everyone may know about the famed Mexican American musician’s Christianity, but Carlos Santana is open and happy to share. Over the years, he’s revealed to news reporters his testimony how Jesus saved him from multiple suicide attempts and healed him from hurtful events of his past through forgiveness. His inspiring story of God’s love impacting his life strums a chord that any individual can relate to.
The Saving Power of God’s Grace
Carlos Santana has seen many dark places in his life. As a child, he grew up in a dysfunctional family where his father had abandoned him. He was molested at the age of 10 by a friend’s father and bribed to keep silent about the terrible experience. After 34 years of marriage with Deborah Santana, Carlos struggled with suicidal thoughts in a downward spiral of depression after they divorced. But through it all, God was there for Carlos and saved him by His grace.
“You have to go through the darkest night of the soul to get to the brightest light of the day,” Carlos stated. He reported to news sources that God saved him from seven suicide attempts during that time.
While married to Deborah, Carlos opened his heart to Jesus Christ and started attending a local church. “I became a born-again Christian to appease her, so to speak,” Carlos recalled, though Deborah confirmed that his faith was genuine. “It blesses him…He’s had some wonderful spiritual experiences that he’s shared with me that I know are real,” Deborah stated at the time.
But dark times loomed once again when Deborah and Carlos divorced. Carlos stated he was tormented by accusing voices telling him his life was miserable. He attempted suicide seven times, but God’s grace kept him alive. Carlos continued going to a local church and found Jesus’ voice. He said that Christ’s voice gave him hope and helped him overcome the depression. What’s more, Christ healed the deeper wounds of his childhood past through the power of forgiveness. He helped Carlos forgive his friend’s father who had molested him all those years ago.
“I was able to remove the anger by forgiving that man,” Carlos testified to Rolling Stone in 2008. “Forgiveness, man, forgiveness is incredibly liberating. And I’m here to tell you, with all my heart and spirit, that it can be done. You can be freed.”
A Testimony of Healing and Forgiveness
Carlos Santana’s music is phenomenal without question, but he knows where his inspiration comes from. And the joy he receives through Jesus Christ is far greater than his past experiences in the music industry. When asked by Rolling Stone in 2014 how he managed to survive through the years, Carlos answered, “I would probably say God’s grace. I don’t believe in luck or chance of fortune. Some people self-destruct from within by continuing to do the wrong substances or make the wrong choices. If something I do is going to be hurtful to myself or others, I’m going to stop. If I go shop at the Apple store I’m gonna say, “No, I’m going to put that one down and find another one. I’m going to upgrade my software with something more illuminating.”
During the interview, Carlos also recounted a time when he helped a former band member in need. The musician was living on the streets and had murder charges, but Carlos found room in his heart to forgive and he ministered to him with a gift.
Today, Carlos Santana continues to perform and delight audiences. He considered becoming a pastor. He is currently asking God what to do next and is trusting Him to work through and in him. “God is not done with me yet,” said Carlos. He looks forward to the next chapter.
~ Christian Patriot Daily
