While Toby Keith is known to many on the right for his patriotism and proudly pro-America music, he was also a committed Christian. In fact, in an interview that aired shortly before his February 5, 2024, death, Keith spoke about his faith and how remaining a believer in the Lord God helped him make it through the “dark hallways” of life.

That interview was with KWTV-DT, a CBS affiliate in Oklahoma City. In the interview, which aired on January 24, 2024, Keith spoke about his cancer ordeal with the station. Then, when asked how he makes it through life’s dark patches, he said that “faith” is the pillar of support on which he relies.

Speaking about the cancer battle itself, Keith noted how it is always on the mind and never is entirely gone or entirely a non-issue, saying, “Cancer is a roller coaster, so it’s like, you just sit here and wait on it to go away, and it may not ever go away.” Continuing, he then added, “If it goes into remission, it will still be in the back of your mind.”

And, noting that some days are quite rough, he told KWTV-DT, “You take it for granted on the days that things are good, and you lean on it when days are bad. It has taught me to lean on a little more every day.” He added, “I was going through all the chemo, radiation, surgery, and I got to the point where I was comfortable with whatever happened. I had my brain wrapped around it, and I was in a good spot either way.”

Further, speaking about what helped him make it through those “dark hallways” of life in a battle with cancer, Keith said that his pillar was “Faith.” Speaking about the immense importance of faith, he said, “You have to have your faith. Thank God that I got it, too.”

Separately, in an October of 2023 interview with Fox News, Keith said that his faith was his rock. He said, “I lean on my faith and I just pray and lean into it.” Continuing, he added that he can’t see how people make it through without faith, saying, “You gotta do what you gotta do, and I don’t know how people do it without faith…that’s what I did, it was my rock.”

Watch Keith discuss his faith here:

When Keith died on Monday, February 5, his family released a statement saying, “Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on February 5th, surrounded by his family. He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time.”

Commenting on the post, people left messages about how he helped them make it through rough times in their lives. One, for example, wrote, “March 2003. I was 7 months pregnant, my daughter was 19 months old, and my husband was 7,000 miles away in Iraq. Toby’s “Red, White & Blue” got me through many rough days. I would blare it on the cd player & my daughter and I would dance around the living room. I can’t express enough how much he helped my mental health with that song. Toby encouraged me when times got too hard. That song was my mantra. I am forever grateful. My love to his family 💔“