A week later, I went again. As the movie opened, I found myself wanting to flee the theater. I was gripped by some anxiety that told me not to face even what I already knew was about to happen. I stood against the impulse and once again was moved by Navy SEAL strength of mind.
They train for it. And so must we.
Anxiety is the enemy relentlessly searching us out and aiming to kill--to kill our ability to take each next reality and stare it courageously in the face:
What is the worst that can happen?
How do God and I face that together?Navy SEALS are glued together with extremes in training, camaraderie, loyalty and teamwork. Unless we are glued to God with those same extremes, anxiety can have its heyday with ease.
Extreme GOD training: immersion in his promises to have our backs.
Extreme GOD camaraderie: daily time spent in relationship--talking and listening.
Extreme GOD loyalty: keeping his mission large in our viewfinder of life.
Extreme GOD teamwork: employing buzzword prayers in the heat of battle (Day 2).Whatever our situation, with its accompanying anxiety threatening to disable our response, we can break it down into each next step that we need to take. God is our cover and our leader; we need to train often and well to hear his tactical strategy in the heat of any moment.
If God is leading our mission, then we don't have to become anxiety-ridden over the outcome. On that fateful day on a mountain in Afghanistan, four SEALS were faced with taking the next right step according to their rules of engagement. The unarmed civilians that walked into their path were soon to be rightfully released; they would reveal the American position to the deadly Taliban camp a short descent away. The battle would begin. They stared down anxiety and entered into their decision with their incredible glue of training and relationship.
Life often wages war against our hearts. We are ambushed by illness, financial stress, unexpected calamities, ruptures in relationships. If we break down our response into next right steps, staring in the face what may come with courage and training, we stand down the enemy of anxiety. We call on the glue that aligns us with God's cover and leadership.
As believers, we may forfeit our lives but our souls remain victorious over the enemy. Thanks, SEALS. You made the right decision and fought for it to the death. Anxiety had to flee in the face of your courage and training.
May it be so with us.
Marcus Luttrell, the lone survivor on that day, has translated the fight and his healing into a foundation for others. That is how courage and training carry us forward. Read more of his story and his mission at Lone Survivor Foundation.
Tomorrow: Fluency of response.
Comments are welcome at feedyourstrength@gmail.com.
