I returned home from Afghanistan mainly with anxiety and depression. I was embarrassed. I did not know how to process it nor did I want to deal with it. After all, I now had to deal with the emotional and physical trauma my son was subjected to while I was deployed. I was angry. While I’m fighting for our country my son was fighting for his life. The only solution to my trauma was to suppress my issues and I did, for a few years. Unfortunately, because I did not deal with the issues from my deployment they resurfaced.
Excerpt from: A Soldier’s Story: Strength Despite Adversity
Jeremiah 29:11-13, NIV states, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
I prayed daily for healing, however, unbeknownst to me at that time (as I reflect on the past), was I fighting the enemy in my own strength? What I do know is that God is a healer. At some point, I had enough of the enemy trying to sabotage my future, by keeping me in bondage with depression, anxiety and anger. I cried out to God like never before and He did just that, healed me!
