God is in control, so do not worry...

There are times during the year that veterans can dread. November 5th and New Years Eve come to mind. As the nation celebrates with fireworks, veterans stay indoors doing their best to block out the bangs, fighting back memories from their past. For me, last November was a total nightmare. I was caught off guard a number of times and it seemed to be every time I managed to get myself relaxed.

Of course, it resulted in lots of unwanted memories. However, one particularly loud bang brought back a memory that I have actually found useful. Northern Ireland was the land of IED's during the time of the troubles. Thankfully most call outs or finds turned out to be hoaxes but I remember how we were taught to deal with them. We used to use a drill called the 4C's. Confirm, Clear, Cordon Control. By doing this we could keep ourselves and everybody else safe. It was a set drill, everybody knew what to do, like a well oiled machine, it was smooth and efficient. Yet we would do this in the times of threat and danger.

If things are that easy to deal with in times of conflict when the proverbial heat is on and we are under immense pressure to act in order to save life then why is it so difficult to control our actions, thoughts and emotions in times of peace when we just hear bangs, or anything else that reminds us of the past. To be honest, I don't have the answers of how our minds work, I have a few theories but not being an expert it wouldn't be right for me to comment. But one thought occurred to me, if the 4C's worked in times of conflict then couldn't a similar drill help us in peace times when we find it hard to cope? Maybe using military drills may work in the some situations but we need a drill to help cope with stresses and issues in our daily lives.

Thankfully, where my military training doesn't work, my spiritual training always does. The great thing is, all I need do is hand over control. God has our backs 100% of the time. In peace, in crisis, in anxiety, in whatever situation rises, he is always there. All we need to do is have faith in him and ask for his help. He knows the help to give and when to give it. He never fails.

Thinking back to the trials I had to cope with after leaving the forces, I only got peace back into my life when I asked God to help me. In fact, despite all of the counselling, the medical and mental interventions, the support groups, the only thing that worked was speaking to God. These days I have recovered fully and lead a very peaceful and fulfilling life and I know what I need to do in future if things turn bad again. But please don't take my word for it, try it out for yourselves.

Finally, I'd like to leave you with another one of my favourite Bible passages which helped me:

1 Peter 1: 13-25 (ESV)

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action,[a] and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for

“All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.”

And this word is the good news that was preached to you.