"No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs....he wants to please his commanding officer." (2 Timothy 2:4; NIV)

When warriors train or fight they have to focus on the mission, not on what's for dinner.  Warriors are taught to detach emotionally except for anger.  Then, to turn their anger to rage and focus it at the enemy.  Warriors cannot afford to divide their attention, lest their very life be forfeited on the battlefield.

"A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways." (James 1:8; KJV)

When we try to focus at more than one aspect of life; when we try to deal with PTSD while we try to conduct normal lives for ourselves and/or our families, we jeopardize not only our wellbeing, but that of our family as well.  Scripture says a man cannot serve two masters (Mat. 6:24).  Although this addresses money, the application can be made for "serving" PTSD as well.  We cannot serve the insanity of PTSD and the calmness of a normal family lifestyle.  We will lose control.

"Alright smart guy, just what am I supposed to do?"

Remember two promises that God made to us.  First in the book of Hebrews God promises He will never leave us, nor will He forsake us.  Further, as long as a man chooses to remain outside of the Body of Christ, God doesn't owe him anything in regards to His promises.  It's entirely up to Him whether or not He answers my requests for help.  For example, if I'm going to purposely and willfully turn my back and walk away from family, can I truly expect them to come to my aide without first making ammends?

Next, how do I approach the problems inherent with PTSD?  Once again God has provided an answer.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5; NIV)  God says He will guide us with wisdom as to how to handle the issues that crop up from PTSD; He will guide us through.  But we have to listen.

How do we listen?  First by studying Scripture.  Looking specifically for passages addressing our issue.  We seek counsel with other Christians.  We seek guidance from mature Christians such as our pastor and we pray.  When we have our answer....we obey it.  And we resist the enemy, the devil. (James 4:7)

Never.  Not one time while I was not walking with the Lord Jesus, did he help me.  Not until I cried out from the point where I was broken and could do no more.   The place where I finally realized I was exhausted.  I cried out, and there He was, reaching back with nail pierced hands to pick me up, yes, but beyond that.

Imagine all the pain, problems and issues of combat being carried on my back in a rucksack.  Every morning as I'd dress, I put that rucksack on, right along with my clothes and carry it throughout my day.  Once I made my decision to ask Jesus into my heart, not only did He reach out for me, He also took my ruck of PTSD.  He laid it at the foot of His cross and said I didn't ever have to pick it up again.

The issue remains that as a human being I go to the rucksack and deal with or pull out a PTSD issue every now and again when something happens.  When I'm triggered.  Still I can turn to my Lord Jesus Christ everytime, regardless, and He's there to reach back.  Jesus takes my burden, walks with me back through the pain helping me deal with it.  He heals it this time, so that if it ever comes up again, I can say, "The Lord has dealt with you [pain]. Jesus has freed me from you, now go, in His name."

Please contact Cedar Valley Point Man for more information on this subject...at, www.cedarvalleypointman.org.  You may also contact me at www.frank@cedarvalleypointman.org or call at (319) 364-3396.

Blessings...Frank