“Outside of the cross of Jesus Christ, there is no hope in this world. That cross and resurrection at the core of the Gospel is the only hope for humanity. Wherever you go, ask God for wisdom on how to get that Gospel in, even in the toughest situations of life.” Ravi Zacharias
Memorial Day is cause for celebration because we remain free. But our freedom is not without great loss and sacrifice. Our military forces remain grounded in the battle and go face to face with evil, so we can live a life of freedom BBQing in our backyards, going to the church of our choice, and swimming at the beach.
I’ve been a widow for a little over a year and, while my husband did not serve in the military, his father was a retired veteran. Dad passed away in his early 80s, and he rarely talked about his military service.
However, in his later years, he shared with my sons that he had been a Higgins boat driver. The hardest thing he’d ever experienced happened every time he dropped the front ramp for our guys to storm the beach. As they exited the boat, some would be shot before they could get to shore. Still others were shot on shore.
Dad felt helpless as the fallen floated face down or lay lifeless on the sand. These were his friends, guys he’d sworn to protect, men he was doing intense life with day in and day out. He knew they represented families. The feeling of having to close the boat ramp without being able to help them haunted him to that day.
I can’t hold back the tears when I think about how Dad’s sacrifice didn’t stop when he retired. His training kept him focused on the goal that must be completed but he relived the horror every day and couldn’t escape the images and feelings of helplessness. Perhaps love kept him grounded in the battle of his mind. He loved his wife of 60+ years, their eight children and their spouses, his grandchildren (and the little greats that were arriving).
Every Memorial Day brings to mind the mothers, fathers, spouses, and children who have and who will receive a military visit or a phone call with the news that their loved one has made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Relationship, a specific future, companionship, protection … the list of losses goes on … and on.
A journey of grief begins when a tragedy pierces your heart. At first, shock keeps you moving while you make the necessary decisions. Shock enables you to function even as it brings a rollercoaster of emotions. Questions flood your mind and an overwhelming feeling of helplessness paralyzes you. What happens now? Is this a bad dream? Pain keeps you spinning trying to make sense of it all. How does one stay grounded in the battlefield of the mind and heart?
We need to plant our feet on something solid. Our minds need steadfast truth and our hearts need to be held, comforted, and restored. We need to be anchored by something bigger than ourselves.
I have found that anchor in God’s Word. I speak its truth into my reality when I feel emotionally shaky. I use the Word to calm my fears and put things into perspective. It’s my go-to when fighting my battles. From an everyday life event to tragedy, His Word declares the truth in the midst of any situation. When the battle of my mind threatens to bend my head in fear, I choose instead to bow it in prayer.
Psalm 23 has helped many people steady themselves and find courage. I can imagine the psalm being prayed in foxholes and the front lines of battle as much as in hospital rooms, processing the news of a heartbreaking diagnosis, and when the phone rings in the wee hours of the morning.
Psalm 23 has always been a beautiful description of the depth of love God has for us. He shows us how He covers and provides for us in every area of our life. The bold italics inserted below in the psalm shows us all that God provides for us as his children.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. (relationship & provision)
He makes me lie down in green pastures, (rest)
he leads me beside quiet waters, (refreshment)
he restores my soul. (healing)
He guides me in paths of righteousness (guidance)
for his name’s sake. (purpose)
Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, (testing/growing our faith)
I will fear no evil, (protection)
for you are with me; (faithfulness)
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me. (discipline/correction)
You prepare a table before me (generous)
in the presence of my enemies. (extravagant)
You anoint my head with oil; (consecration)
my cup overflows. (abundance)
Surely your goodness and love will follow me (steadfast love)
all the days of my life, (blessing)
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever. (security/favor)
Challenge your reality with His word. Hold your questions up to His truths. Meditate on the words of the Lord and be grounded in life, protected in all situations, and—most of all—relentlessly, unapologetically, extravagantly loved!
NOW LIVE LOVED and THRIVE!
Self-Reflection
These questions are in no way a substitute for healthcare professionals or any level of professional counseling. I’m an advocate for taking care of oneself mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. These questions reflect my heart, NOT my profession.
This questionnaire is an opportunity to journal your thoughts and feelings. It can serve as a launching pad on which to evaluate your heart condition as you understand it. My hope is that you will take the truths you discover about yourself and hold them up to the Light to evaluate them against who God says you are.
- Have you served a cause greater than yourself? (ie God, military, family, something you’re passionate about)
- What are the pros and cons about serving this cause?
- Is there anything you’d change about your service?
- Are you able to bring about the change you seek? If so, in what way?
- When you read Psalms 23 what part of the verse speaks to you? How does it speak to you?
- Spend a few minutes talking with God. Thank Him for all that He has done, is doing and will do. Talk with Him about what you need. You have His ear and His heart so lay it out in an honest, transparent way.
Take Action
Use God’s word to take control over the traumas in your life. Whenever you feel terrorized by your thoughts take them captive by replacing them with the truth of God’s promises in His word.
Here is a scripture for you to print, cut and carry with you and/or post in places where you will see it often. Ground yourself in God’s truths not Satan’s attacks. Encourage your heart and mind every time you are reminded of His great love for YOU!
PSALM 23:
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. (relationship & provision)
He makes me lie down in green pastures, (rest)
he leads me beside quiet waters, (refreshment)
he restores my soul. (healing)
He guides me in paths of righteousness (guidance)
for his name’s sake. (purpose)
Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, (testing/growing our faith)
I will fear no evil, (protection)
for you are with me; (faithfulness)
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me. (discipline/correction)
You prepare a table before me (generous)
in the presence of my enemies. (extravagant)
You anoint my head with oil; (consecration)
my cup overflows. (abundance)
Surely your goodness and love will follow me (steadfast love)
all the days of my life, (blessing)
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever. (security/favor)
When you read God’s word say to yourself: God’s love for me is extravagant! He has me covered from sunrise to sunset and everything in between. Before I let fear rise up in me I will remind myself of God’s steadfast love, continued blessing, security, favor, healing, guidance, purpose etc. etc. He loves me with an everlasting love and He will not ever turn away from me.
