Another soldier shared this insight:
“I do not know how guys get through the experience of combat without an anchor to reality like my faith provides me. I had heard the saying that there are no atheists in foxholes but I saw a different picture. Sure, most of those I was around professed belief in God, but those that didn’t weren’t convinced of his presence after combat, many were just shocked they were numbed. The frailty of life is not lost on those who do not believe in God.”
The deploying soldier should prioritize their time and take advantage of the faith-based resources the military offers while deployed. Chaplains are a part of the military and their heritage extends all the way back to our country’s founding. They accompany troops on deployment and a vital part of the support base for soldiers deployed abroad. The enemy views them as morale officers. They do serve a vital function that effects morale, but beyond that they can also serve as the anchor to the faith that is so core to most of us.
Going into potentially traumatic events without a connection to your faith is no different than going into a combat zone without a weapon. You also wouldn’t head into combat without body armor. An active pursuit of a relationship with God, including dealing with doubt and the fundamental questions that arise when you’re in a situation like combat are as important as any other preparation of battle. For you to return home safe and of sound mind you must be able to ask those kinds of questions and seek help to find the answers. How could a loving God allow things that happen in war to go on?
These are significant questions that we know arise in most people. The ability to point the individual to a sovereign God who truly is above and over the situation is enabling. The structure of having chaplains conducting worship services and Bible studies along with individual counseling is imperative for soldiers of faith who are in perilous circumstances.
Body armor obviously protects the body. The armor of God protects the soul, your faith, and sometimes your sanity.
Thank you so much for the countless thousands of soldiers who have truly committed their lives to Jesus Christ while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Please continue to bring thousands more to Christ. Give them Your full armor, God, so they can stand their ground against the Devil’s schemes.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm…” (Ephesians 6:10–14)