Road to Reflection
A soldier's path to recovery
Welcome to Road to Reflection, a section where I pen my thoughts and lessons from experiences as an everyday believer. If this is your first time on Bud and Blossom, feel free to check for older posts here.
Warfare is an intense affair that demands the entirety of all who engage in it. Those who get drafted into armies are aware of the dangers and consequences of such choices, and its effect on their lives in every aspect. One’s involvement in military service requires courage, commitment and a readiness to shun anything that can potentially blur their focus, regardless of who or what it may be.
Though I am not a film buff, I have watched a few military movies and heard stories from those who experienced the war in my birth country. Months ago, I stumbled on a speech by William H. McRaven, which highlighted his experience at the Navy SEAL training program, and reinforced this fact — soldiers go through gruelling exercises that refine and build persistence, resilience, strength and perseverance in them.
The methods and equipment to be employed in war depend on the nature of battle at hand, its terrain and the size of the fighting army. Hand-to-hand combat, use of ammunition, ambush, infiltration tactics and sieges are some operations that troops use to gain ground in conflict.
Recently, I have been pondering on the general attitude of soldiers in times of intense pressure and injury. Having sworn allegiance to the cause they fight for, soldiers do not renege even when bruised. Many times, these forces endure blows and continue in warfare with their comrades, chanting battle cries unto victory. Where medical care is available, deeply-wounded troops are medivaced for treatment and care.
Using this as a parallel to our lives, Paul gives insight into the spiritual battle that we have been drafted into, from the time of our profession of Christ at the New Birth.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
Ephesians 6:10-18, KJV
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God’s armour so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armour so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armour of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Ephesians 6:10-18, NLT
In this passage [quoted from two Bible translations], seven [7] parts of God's armour for Christian soldiers are listed. They are:
Belt of truth; to hold one’s clothing in place
Breastplate of righteousness; to protect the chest region
Shoes of preparation of the Gospel of peace; for the feet
Shield of faith; for defence of the body
Helmet of salvation; protects the head
Sword of the Spirit; for attack
Prayer; all forms of prayers in the Spirit
Life is full of snares and it is possible to miss a step in our daily living. Jesus Christ has secured victory and we fight from this standpoint. However, we can suffer loss or weariness if we are ignorant of satan’s strategies, misuse our military equipment or not en garde.1
What will you do when you get wounded in the fight of your life?
Rise Again
Our Creator has promised to be beside us when we slip. The books of Psalm, Proverbs and Micah echo the resilient spirit of a righteous man when he falls:
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and He delighteth in his way. though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with His hand.
Psalm 37:23-24, KJV
Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place: for a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
Proverbs 24:15-16, KJV
Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.
Micah 7:8, NIV
God does not want His people, who have been made righteous through Christ's blood, to remain on the floor when they stumble. In our individual low seasons, we must seek God in prayer and His Word, as well as support in His body [local assembly, spiritual leaders and trusted believers]. He is the Balm of Gilead that restores strength to the fainting heart and healing to the aching soul.
Stronger soldiers also have a responsibility to help weaker comrades once they discover their hurt. Like an officer who looks out for his counterparts in the front, we too must do the same, holding each other and marching on in solidarity.
Hope: The Fuel You Need
Paul alluded to his challenges in spiritual service when he wrote to the church in Corinth. 2 Corinthians 4 encapsulates this and gives a glimpse of what believers face in the pursuit of God's holy calling:
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
2 Corinthians 4:8-10, NIV
While on earth, the Lord Jesus resisted various attacks from the adversary. Though He suffered immensely, the Man of War2 did not bow to opposition but persevered in the help of His God. The vision of redemption was never lost and He remained faithful to it till the end, where He rose in triumph, conquering all evil.
Like Him, our eyes must be fixed constantly on the prize of the upward call, so that we can continue to live as members of His Salvation Army. No matter the intensity of the warfare, we must follow the Lord of hosts, for He has won the victory.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NIV
*Further Readings: Isaiah 50:5-7, 53, Romans 8:35-39, Philippians 3:13-21.
En garde is French for “On [your] guard”. A term commonly used in fencing.
The title of the Lord, sang by Moses and all the children of Israel, after He defeated the Egyptians in the Crossing of the Red Sea. See Exodus 15:3
Amen! This is timely encouragement for me, thank you for sharing! On this topic I also love 2 Timothy 2:3-4: “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.”