Wounded Warriors
I love movies as much as I love music. I can recall a scene from a film for darn near every event in my life. Few haven't seen the film, Forrest Gump. In recent weeks I have reflected on old Lieutenant Dan and his violent argument with God the Father. Remember the scene? He was fed up. Enough! Up the main mast and into the crow"s nest he went, to have it out once and for all with God.
Drenching rain, thunder, lightning, cursing, yelling, screaming forth to God. "IS THAT ALL YOU GOT!" Lt. Dan yells! The crackle of several thunder bursts breaks through the dark black clouds followed by a multitude of lightning bursts as God responds to His angry child.
Dan laughs and yells out rude epithets and flexes profane gestures to the violent night sky.
All this ends as the scene shifts to the next day with Lt. Dan laying on his back facing a clear sunny morning sky beaming down upon him on a wooden pier. His face gleamed with an expression of total peace and satisfaction.
I do not know of any Christian adult man that cannot honestly describe himself as a wounded warrior similar to Lt. Dan. I certainly know I have inflicted more self-induced wounds on my soul than any other mortal being. I tried with no logic to blame others for my pain, even going so far as to point to our Father as having no empathy for my poor stubborn self.
Like Lt. Dan, I was mad too! But mad at the wrong fault. In hindsight, the fault was all mine, and it was not until I realized this that I could truly have it out with God. Yes, an all-out yell fest. I found out God can take it. All the crap I was blaming others for, all the self-inflicted damage I caused myself and others, the pain and suffering I endured for so long, yes, I was pissed and I shouted it all out to God! It was after midnight on a weeknight, at an empty field near my home, no thunder, no lightning; only flames of fury from my big mouth!
Felt good! Real good!
It was at this concluding moment I felt a release of frustrations unlike any I had ever felt before. Many of the wounds I'd been carrying around with me for years were healed as a result of that night.
The Lord's Prayer has this phrase in it, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." I am a staunch believer that calling on our Savior Jesus in times of dire need works personal miracles. When the sword of temptation tries to deliver a new wound upon your soul I encourage you to suit up your armor of Christ by calling His name, loud if necessary! His sword of infallible truth always trumps the evil in our lives.
It works! It really does.
Anger is not the case for some of us, there are those that are simply sick and tired of being sick and tired.
So for the angry and sick and tired, all that need be said is, "Wounded Warriors only remain wounded by choice." Let go, and trust in God your Father.
Let us pray -
Oh Lord. Your men have been angry with you, and we are ready to be done with it. We are sorry, Lord. We know you know better than us what is best, and we know you have only the best in store for each of us. We want to trust you. We want to believe in your promises. Help us Lord. Come alongside each of us and lift your sons up as only You can. Be the shield around us today and all follow-on days and lift our heads high. We give you great thanks, Lord, for all the wonderful things you’ve done for us and all the blessings yet to come. We praise your holy name now and forever.
Amen. Amen. Amen.
SCRIPTURE
Ephesians 4:26-31
“In your anger do not sin.” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, so that they may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
Drenching rain, thunder, lightning, cursing, yelling, screaming forth to God. "IS THAT ALL YOU GOT!" Lt. Dan yells! The crackle of several thunder bursts breaks through the dark black clouds followed by a multitude of lightning bursts as God responds to His angry child.
Dan laughs and yells out rude epithets and flexes profane gestures to the violent night sky.
All this ends as the scene shifts to the next day with Lt. Dan laying on his back facing a clear sunny morning sky beaming down upon him on a wooden pier. His face gleamed with an expression of total peace and satisfaction.
I do not know of any Christian adult man that cannot honestly describe himself as a wounded warrior similar to Lt. Dan. I certainly know I have inflicted more self-induced wounds on my soul than any other mortal being. I tried with no logic to blame others for my pain, even going so far as to point to our Father as having no empathy for my poor stubborn self.
Like Lt. Dan, I was mad too! But mad at the wrong fault. In hindsight, the fault was all mine, and it was not until I realized this that I could truly have it out with God. Yes, an all-out yell fest. I found out God can take it. All the crap I was blaming others for, all the self-inflicted damage I caused myself and others, the pain and suffering I endured for so long, yes, I was pissed and I shouted it all out to God! It was after midnight on a weeknight, at an empty field near my home, no thunder, no lightning; only flames of fury from my big mouth!
Felt good! Real good!
It was at this concluding moment I felt a release of frustrations unlike any I had ever felt before. Many of the wounds I'd been carrying around with me for years were healed as a result of that night.
The Lord's Prayer has this phrase in it, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." I am a staunch believer that calling on our Savior Jesus in times of dire need works personal miracles. When the sword of temptation tries to deliver a new wound upon your soul I encourage you to suit up your armor of Christ by calling His name, loud if necessary! His sword of infallible truth always trumps the evil in our lives.
It works! It really does.
Anger is not the case for some of us, there are those that are simply sick and tired of being sick and tired.
So for the angry and sick and tired, all that need be said is, "Wounded Warriors only remain wounded by choice." Let go, and trust in God your Father.
Let us pray -
Oh Lord. Your men have been angry with you, and we are ready to be done with it. We are sorry, Lord. We know you know better than us what is best, and we know you have only the best in store for each of us. We want to trust you. We want to believe in your promises. Help us Lord. Come alongside each of us and lift your sons up as only You can. Be the shield around us today and all follow-on days and lift our heads high. We give you great thanks, Lord, for all the wonderful things you’ve done for us and all the blessings yet to come. We praise your holy name now and forever.
Amen. Amen. Amen.
SCRIPTURE
Ephesians 4:26-31
“In your anger do not sin.” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, so that they may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
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