Psychology and the Bible
The Just Shall Live By Faith!
God and Country: In That Order
Why Military And Veterans Should Look To Jesus Christ
And The Bible For Traumatic Troubles
Blessed be the LORD my strength,
which teacheth my hands to war,
and my fingers to fight:
Psalms 144:1
David was a military man. David was an exceptional soldier, officer and commander in chief. The Lord did not allow David to build the temple because he was a man of war. “But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood.”(1 Chronicles 28:3) David went through many extremely severe trials in life. He openly expressed his prayers in his Psalms. David is the veteran's veteran. His recorded praises and prayers give evidence of his peaks and valleys in life. For example, when David was downcast (cast down, discouraged, in despair, hopeless), he looked to God alone for encouragement.
Why art thou cast down [downcast], O my soul?
and why art thou disquieted in me?
hope thou in God:
for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
Psalms 42:5
And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him,
because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters:
but David encouraged himself in the LORD hisGod.
1 Samuel 30:6
When we consider modern-day military and veterans, the Bible is the final authority for what we believe and how we behave. Our faith is certain being placed in the words of the Holy Bible. Great heart-felt appreciation goes to those who have served and to those who are serving in our armed forces. The unquestioningly clear God-honoring order is to put God first, then our country. Holding God as supreme over our nation is the meaning of: “One nation under God”. The more our nation (and any nation) submits to God's Holy Bible, the more we place our priorities in the correct order. “In God we trust” has the same connotation. God first, then us. The wrong order of placing those serving our nation as more important than God and his Bible should be avoided at all costs.
We fly our national flag, Old Glory, above any other flag. However, when a military ship is underway (at sea), there was a time when another flag was flown over the United States flag. When a Navy chaplain was conducting divine services (church services) at sea, the church pennant was flown above the American flag. The church pennant is a cross. The cross represents Jesus Christ who died on the cross of Calvary for our sins. What is the significance of this? This means that the United States recognizes a higher authority. The US military, Federal government, and all of the States are submissive to God, to Jesus Christ. Flying a church pennant above the national flag is a physical demonstration of “One Nation under God”. [While the church pennant has a cross, more symbols are now included on other similar pennants.]
Bible-believing Christians will want to keep this same order. Jesus Christ is more important than military personnel. The Lord Jesus created all persons who serve in the military (Colossians 1:16). Because of who he is, the Lord has a greater priority than veterans. This makes sense. The Creator, Jesus Christ, is greater than all the people whom he created. The Eternal God takes precedence over the humans whom he has made.
Keeping this same healthy respect for God and the Holy Bible, we want God's very best for our military and our veterans. God, Jesus Christ, Salvation, Heaven, Love, Joy, Peace and the Holy Bible are God's best for those having served in the armed services. In contrast, psychology is another religion which weakens our military and defeats our veterans from having God's very best. May we be those who want God's best for all those who serve our wonderful country. May we keep our priorities right: God and Country, in that order.
Those having served in the military are at times exposed to extremely trying circumstances. Traumatic events are sometimes very difficult to handle. Not everyone can relate to what a person goes through in the armed services. Family separation, battle fatigue, shell-shock, loosing your buddy, other tremendous loss of life, becoming a prisoner of war and having one's life regularly threatened are some of the tragic events those in the military face. We all can rest in the fact that God can relate to all of these traumatic events. God can relate to extreme stress. God knows.
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16
Jesus Christ knows all about our traumatic events. The Bible says that Jesus can relate to our feelings. He knows what it is like to be tempted. Christ can sympathize with our weaknesses. Christ has compassion. Those who are struggling with stress, trauma, death, guilt, panic, fear, loneliness; Jesus knows, Jesus cares, Jesus can help!
Psychology pretends to have answers for life's problems, problems of which God has already spoken. God has given the genuine Christian everything we need to live a life pleasing to him, 2 Peter 1:3. Let us consider some of the people in the Bible who have had traumatic events. These are people who have come before us whom God has helped. These are some of those to whom God has provided peace and calmness of mind, without using psychology. The Bible addresses fears and anger that come from traumatic stress. Let us briefly consider the traumatic situations and solutions of: Joshua, David, Job, our Lord Jesus, Paul and the believers from Hebrews chapter eleven.
Joshua was the military general who lead Israel into battle to take their Promised Land. Joshua was like a chief of staff to Moses (Exodus 24:13). Joshua was a military commander with a history of spending time with God (Exodus 33:11). Do our military commanders show unquestionable evidence of spending quality time in prayer and Bible study? Joshua did. Joshua also served as a spy similar to some of the assignments of our special forces (Numbers 13-14). Joshua had faith that God would deliver Israel from their enemies. Do our nation's spies and our special forces have great faith in the God of the Bible? Joshua did. Because he trusted the promises of God, Joshua was allowed to proceed into the Promised Land, when almost everyone else of that generation was not permitted to enter (Numbers 14:30).
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD,
choose you this day whom ye will serve;
whether the gods which your fathers served
that were on the other side of the flood,
or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell:
but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Joshua 24:15
The choice today is whether we will serve the gods of psychology or the the Lord God, the Maker of Heaven and Earth. Joshua and his family served the Lord. May we revere the Living God and serve him, like the military commander Joshua did.
Joshua was in a number of trying and traumatic situations. He was a man of faith in the Lord. He never trusted in the gods of the other religions even when things got nearly unbearable. Psychology is another religion keeping souls from God's best for them. Joshua was almost murdered by stoning by those who loved these other gods. (Numbers 14:10) Yet, God was watching and was with him. God prevented him from being murdered by those who were trusting in another religion.
Though Joshua was allowed to live and to enter the Promised Land, he had to wait until the unbelievers died out. Israel wandered forty years in the wilderness before they were allowed to enter the land promised to them by God. There must have been continuous funerals during those forty years. The Lord waited until the unbelieving generation died off. Joshua must have had many relatives die during that time. Nothing that was similar to psychology got Joshua through these traumatic forty years of losing loved ones. Joshua kept his faith in the Lord.
The Lord gave Joshua a great military victory at Jericho. When Joshua's army went against the next city, thirty-six men were slain who were under Joshua's command. This was due to the sin of Israel. Joshua knew what it was like to have multiple casualties in one battle. At no time did Joshua turn to the other gods (such as the god of psychology). Instead, Joshua poured out his heart to the Lord in prayer. The Lord answered Joshua's prayer and ultimately brought victory. God brought the victory. God answered prayer. God knows all about battle wounds and scars.
Repeatedly the Lord told Joshua to be strong and of good courage, to be courageous (Joshua chapter one). Joshua needed not to cower or be afraid. Even in the midst of or after a traumatic event, the Lord wants the believer to have courage and put his trust in God.
Joshua went though many traumatic times in his life. Other religions, like psychology, were nowhere to be found in the life of this great military hero and veteran.
David was a man after God's own heart (I Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). David followed orders. David kept the words of the Lord. David was both a great follower and a great leader. He was a great warrior for Israel. However, this soldier did not have an easy life. When he was young he defeated the giant Goliath. He was ridiculed by his brothers because he saw that there was a cause. That cause was to bring honor to God through a great military victory. It was quite a traumatic time to suffer ridicule and especially to face a battle-hardened giant! Yet, David kept his focus on the Lord. David did not need nor want the false philosophies of his day. There were other religious beliefs like there is psychology today.
David's boss tried to kill him on a number of occasions. Saul tried to pin him against the wall with a javelin. It is a traumatic thing for the head of government to try to take out your life with a spear. Yet, David took courage in the Lord.
David lost his best friend, Jonathan, in battle. It is a traumatic thing to loose your best friend while serving in the military. David knows how this is. David prayed to the Lord and did not turn to worldly philosophies like psychology.
David's wife was given to another man. Later that wife despised him. Others may be tempted to try psychological counseling with such marital troubles; not David.
David had an affair with a married woman. That woman, Bathsheba, conceived. David tried to cover his sin. The child died. Even during this difficult time of his life, David never turned to pagan philosophies for grief therapy. David looked to the Lord. His confession and restoration are recorded in Psalm 51. He found mercy and forgiveness with the Lord. Only the Lord can forgive and give his peace. Psychologists and psychiatrists cannot forgive nor give the peace of God.
David's own son sought to kill him. Absolom attempted to take over the kingdom and had David on the run. Filled with grief when his son died, David refused to look anywhere but to the Lord for counsel.
David changed his behavior to get away from the Philistine king. David acted like a madman. He acted crazy. It is noteworthy that after his release, he acted normal again. People can change their behavior more than we think. If he would have been interviewed by a psychologist during the time he changed his behavior, he would have most likely been labeled with at least one disorder. Would he have later been called cured once he began acting normally again? It is almost impossible to remove the label once someone has been deemed to have a disorder.
David wrote a Psalm to praise the Lord for his deliverance. Let's take in some of the wonderful things he says in this Psalm. It reveals how this man of God handled things after a stressful traumatic event.
Psalm 34
A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate. (Psalms 34:1-22)
Does this sound like a man who could not work through the terrible things that happened to him? David was in the military. Is it better to give our military the words of the Living God or some psychological mumbo-jumbo? Does The Lord want veterans to have God's very words or wicked man's psychological theories? It should be obvious that it is not in the veteran's best interest to replace or intermingle God's words with psychological counseling.
Job was tried perhaps more than anyone in human history. All in one day Job lost his sons, his livestock and his servants. Job was a very rich man and he had lost his wealth. (Job 1:13-19).
Such a traumatic event was this! Yet, more amazing was Job's response to this utter devastation.
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head,
and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said,
Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither:
the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away;
blessed be the name of the LORD.
Job 1:20-22
How did Job handle his post traumatic stress? Job recognized the goodness and the superintending care of the Lord. Job worshipped the Lord. Understanding that we have a Great Shepherd who cares for us helps us deal with the great losses and tragedies in life.
Later Job lost his health. And, his three close friends pointed the blame to him. His friends were not aware the Lord was allowing Job to be tested. Job lost his health, wealth, close family, close friends and the support of his wife. All this happened in a short amount of time. Today, psychologists would love to pin a disorder on Job to label him as one of their religious converts. Job did not turn to worldly philosophies. He rejected the ungodly advice given by his close friends. Job was a man that feared God, even in the midst of such life-shattering trials. Job looked to God, not to a psychology-equivalent philosophy of his day. Note Job's great trust in his God.
Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:
Job 13:15
Job's perspective was, God is in charge of life. God is in control of Job's life. Let's look at other life issues where Job trusted God and not psychology. [Psychology is a modern expression of a Christ-rejecting philosophy conjured up by Godless men. Though the term psychology was not used in Job's day, other similar worldly philosophies have been promoted all throughout human history. Psychology is merely a recent expression of self-centered, self-loving man. “For men shall be lovers of their own selves ... Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:2-5]
The Book Of Job Speaks Of A Creator
Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said...
...Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Job 38:1-4 (see also Job 33:4)
Jesus Christ Is That Creator
For by him [Jesus Christ] were all things created,
that are in heaven, and that are in earth...
all things were created by him, and for him:
Colossians 1:16 (see also John 1:1)
Job Acknowledged He Was A Sinner In God's Sight
Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
I know that thou canst do every thing,
and that no thought can be withholden from thee.
... I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear:
but now mine eye seeth thee.
Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
Job 42:1-6
Jesus Christ Calls All People To Admit Their Sin (Repent)
I tell you, Nay: but,
except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Luke 13:3
Job Believed He Needed A Mediator With God
For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him,
and we should come together in judgment.
Neither is there any daysman [mediator] betwixt us,
that might lay his hand upon us both.
Job 9:32-33
That Mediator Is Jesus Christ
For there is one God,
and one mediator between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus;
1 Timothy 2:5
Job Believed He Needed A Redeemer
For I know that my redeemer liveth ...
Job 19:25
That Redeemer Is Jesus Christ
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed
with corruptible things, as silver and gold,
from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
But with the precious blood of Christ,
as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
1 Peter 1:18-19
Job Believed In A Bodily Resurrection
And though after my skin worms destroy this body,
yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Job 19:26
Jesus Christ Is In Charge Of The Resurrection
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming,
in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his [Christ's] voice,
And shall come forth; they that have done good,
unto the resurrection of life;
and they that have done evil,
unto the resurrection of damnation.
John 5:28-29
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life:
he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.
Believest thou this?
John 11:25-26
Job's Redeemer Is Coming To The Earth
For I know that my redeemer liveth,
and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
Job 19:25
Jesus Christ Is That Redeemer And Judge Coming To Earth
...when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God,
and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord,
and from the glory of his power;
2 Thessalonians 1:7-9
Job understood that God was his Maker, that he was a sinner, that he needed a Mediator between him and the holy God, that he will have a resurrection after death, that his Redeemer (Jesus Christ) is coming to this Earth. What is your standing with your Maker and Judge? Are your sins forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ? Like Job, God's best for us all is to have our sins forgiven and to receive eternal life in Christ Jesus. What's good for Job is good for our military and veterans.
The Lord Jesus also went through extremely traumatic situations and events. Many people tried to kill him. They picked up stones to stone him several times. Some considered him homeless because he did not have a place to stay the night (Luke 9:58). Yet, he was following his Father's perfect will and his Father always provided for him. The Lord was in such agony when he prayed, his sweat was like drops of blood (Luke 22:44). The Lord was betrayed by his friend Judas (Psalm 41:9). He was mocked, hit, spit upon and parts of his beard were pulled out. He was put to death by crucifixion, being nailed to a cross. Death by crucifixion is a traumatic event. The Lord suffered that traumatic event for us. The Lord Jesus is the one who was bearing our sins when he was placed on the cross of Calvary.
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree [cross]...
1 Peter 2:24
Instead of dealing with post-traumatic stress, the Lord has post-traumatic joy!
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and is set down
at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2
Jesus our Savior and Lord can relate to all of the trials and stresses we have.
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities;
but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15
Military, veterans, and us all should come to Jesus Christ to find mercy for our sins and grace from our Lord. That is God's best for us all. When have you come to Jesus Christ for mercy and grace? If you have not, will you come to Jesus today?
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16
Paul the apostle had many stressful traumatic events in his career. He lists some of them here.
...in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
2 Corinthians 11:23-27
Paul suffered many stressful situations. He worked hard making and selling tents to fund his ministry. He was whipped (stripes) too many times to count (above measure). He was put in jail more than the other apostles. His life was regularly threatened (in deaths often). On five occasions Paul was whipped with thirty-nine lashes (forty stripes minus one). Three times he was beaten with sticks (rods). Some even tried to murder him by throwing rocks at him until he died (stoned). He was in three shipwrecks while traveling. On one occasion he had to spend a night and a day floating in the sea. He traveled extensively for ministry purposes (in journeyings often). Peril means that his life was threatened or he was in grave danger. The perils were everywhere he went: in the sea, on the land, from thieves, from the Jews (his own countrymen), from those who were not Jews like himself (the heathen), in the city, in the country, even perils came from fake Christians. Paul had stressful traumatic events whereby he needed to be on guard (watchings). He went hungry and thirsty, often having little or nothing to eat. He was cold and sometimes without proper warm clothing. Paul had abundant reasons to have post-traumatic stress. What did Paul think of his life considering all the trouble and trials he had?
But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
2 Corinthians 10:17
But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ...
Galatians 6:14
For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
2 Timothy 4:6-7
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
2 Thessalonians 3:18
Paul knew what it meant to go through life's hardships, traumas and stressors. Paul's message was to look to the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the person of Christ and to Christ's work on the cross for us.
Hebrews chapter eleven is the great passage that directs us to those in the Bible who lived by faith. Rather than living in fear of the past or being afraid of tomorrow, these people lived by faith every day. Since these men and women are given as examples for us to follow, let us consider some of their trials and their responses to those trials.
By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. (Hebrews 11:7)
Noah was warned by the Lord of the coming worldwide flood. Noah had respect (fear) for the Lord and that respect motivated him to build an ark (very large boat). The Bible tells us only eight people of the world's entire population survived the flood (I Peter 3:21). Living through a worldwide flood, that's a traumatic event! Knowing the entire human race is dying except you and your family alone, that is up there with the greatest stressors. A sound relationship with the Lord was God's answer to Noah's post-traumatic stress. Noah looked to the Lord by faith. God himself was the answer to life after the flood.
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles [tents] with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: Hebrews 11:8-9
Homelessness can be a reason why some get addicted to psychology. Abraham is our example here to overcome this stress. It is a very real concern when one is faced with not having a place to live. Abraham left his home country by faith. He was not sure where he would end up. He only knew he had to trust the one who was giving him the orders, that is the Lord. Once he got to his new location, he lived as one who did not have a permanent residence. Abraham and his son and grandson lived in tents. They did not make permanent dwelling places. They never got to live in their “dream home.” Abraham's contentment was in the Lord, not in material things such as a house. While homelessness can be extremely trying, the Lord knows each of our situations. May we learn from Abraham and say “God is my helper”.
By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac:
and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
Hebrews 11:17
In Genesis 22 God told Abraham to offer his son as a sacrifice. We find later this was only a test. The Lord provided a ram for the sacrifice in place of Isaac his son. This account provides us a picture of God giving his only begotten Son as a sacrifice for our sins, in our place. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) And, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.“ (John 1:29) Yes, it is God's best for our military and veterans to choose Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Trusting in Jesus is the only way to have their sin taken away.
By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention
of the departing of the children of Israel;
and gave commandment concerning his bones.
Hebrews 11:22
Joseph is mentioned as one who lived by faith in the Lord, even though he had difficult trials in life.
Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen;
and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit,
and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver:
and they brought Joseph into Egypt.
Genesis 37:28
Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers! That is how he got to Egypt. That was a traumatic event.
And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother,
in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us,
and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.
Genesis 42:21
Joseph's brothers recalled Joseph's great suffering which was caused by their own actions. They caused Joseph anguish of his soul.
But as for you, ye thought evil against me;
but God meant it unto good,
to bring to pass, as it is this day,
to save much people alive.
Genesis 50:20
Joseph looked not to his brother's evil actions, instead Joseph looked to the Lord.
Joseph had ample opportunity to be bitter, angry or be in despair. Instead, he knew God was working out these events for God's own greater purposes. Here is a related Bible verse. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
By faith they [Moses and Israel] passed through the Red sea as by dry land:
which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
Hebrews 11:29
Having the angry Egyptian army on your back closing in with nowhere to go, that is a stressful event! Yet, Moses looked to the Lord for his help.
By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not,
when she had received the spies with peace. Hebrews 11:31
Rahab was a harlot, a prostitute. She believed God and was rescued. Living as a prostitute can bring a lot of emotional trauma. Yet, Rahab was able to receive forgiveness and change her ways due to her great faith in the God of Israel.
Who through faith ... stopped the mouths of lions,
Hebrews 11:33
Daniel was thrown into a den of starving lions. Being thrown into a pit with hungry lions is a stressful event. Yet, Daniel looked to his God for help. When he was rescued from the lions, Daniel went on to prosper during the reign of the current and succeeding governments. Daniel needed not perpetual counseling for post-traumatic stress. Daniel went on to function and prosper in society without the interference of psychology.
Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword,
out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight,
turned to flight the armies of the aliens [foreigners].
Hebrews 11:34
The Lord helped in warfare many throughout the ages. He is a Living God and willing to help warriors today. The Lord would have people look to him, not to psychological methods.
Women received their dead raised to life again:
and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance;
that they might obtain a better resurrection:
Hebrews 11:35
And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings,
yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
Hebrews 11:36
People in the Bible went through similar things as some prisoners of war. The Lord is aware of what prisoners of war go through. God knows. Psychological counseling was never God's answer to these horrific events.
They were stoned, they were sawn asunder [apart],
were tempted, were slain with the sword: they
wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins;
being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
Of whom the world was not worthy: they wandered in deserts,
and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
Hebrews 11:37-38
Some of these trials and temptations were wondering about with no home, being destitute, afflicted and tormented. These people of faith are all examples for us to follow. Rejecting psychology and other ungodly replacements for the Bible, we are to place our full trust in the Living God.
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight [such as psychology], and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2
Military, veterans, and us all, may we look to Jesus alone for the God-honoring answers to any pain, trauma, and stress we may have to go through.
The Ultimate Traumatic Event
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it,
from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away;
and there was found no place for them.
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God;
and the books were opened: and another book was opened,
which is the book of life:
and the dead were judged out of those things
which were written in the books, according to their works.
And the sea gave up the dead which were in it;
and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them:
and they were judged every man according to their works.
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.
This is the second death.
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life
was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20:11-15
The ultimate traumatic event is to bear the penalty for our sins by being cast away in torment from the Lord's presence forever. Christ is our sin-bearer. Have you trusted Christ as your Savior or will you be bearing your own sins for eternity?
For he hath made him [Jesus] to be sin for us, who knew no sin;
that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
2 Corinthians 5:21
All traumatic events and post-traumatic stress are handled with God alone, with Christ alone, with the Bible alone, by faith alone, by grace alone. Though other people may not have been in your situation or can relate to it, God can. God was there. God is here now. The Bible alone has the answers for our fears, our hurts, our pains. Let us ask, “What does God want for our vets?”
My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9
The number of groups that mix psychology and the Bible are increasing. Many of these come under the guise of “behavioral health”, “spirits that are wounded” or for those who are “wounded on the inside.” These kinds of groups may have good intentions to help veterans, they almost always add the world's philosophies (howsoever so subtle) to the Bible. The result ends up with a mix of psychological solutions that nullify using only the Bible. The result is the age-old tragedy of “the Bible and...” When dealing with our military and veterans, we all should wholeheartedly place God unmistakably first, then our country, in that order. (Mark 12:28-31)
David, Joshua, Job, the Lord himself, Noah, Abraham, Paul and a host of others in the Bible are our examples. They all lived and died without psychological counseling. God provided them as our examples how to deal with post-traumatic stress and a host of other issues, by faith in the Lord's words. May we be men and women of faith, trusting in the God of all comfort.
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies,
and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,
that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble,
by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Questions:
1. Why is the Bible God's best for our vets?
2. Why is it not God's best to offer psychology to our military?
3. Not everyone can relate to what the military goes through. Why is it important to
take assurance that God can relate to everything the military and vets go through?
4. What is the ultimate traumatic event and how can you escape it?
This is a study of psychology and counseling from the Bible's perspective.
It is not advice for your counseling decisions.
James Utter
James served honorably as a Hospital Corpsman in the United States Navy.
He was a biology major and holds a Doctor of Ministry degree.
His dad was a WWII veteran in the United States Army.
Consider the following helpful hymn and chart
ALL YOUR ANXIETY
Is there a heart o'er-bound by sorrow?
Is there a life weighted down by care?
Come to the cross, each burden bearing,
All your anxiety - leave it there.
No other Friend so keen to help you;
No other Friend so quick to hear;
No other place to leave your burden;
No other one to hear your prayer.
Come then, at once, delay no longer;
Heed His entreaty, kind and sweet;
You need not fear a disappointment,
You shall find peace at the mercy seat.
Chorus:
All your anxiety, all your care,
Bring to the Mercy seat, leave it there;
Never a burden He cannot bear,
Never a Friend like Jesus.
by E.H. Joy
GOD'S BEST FOR OUR VETS | WORLD'S WORST FOR OUR VETS |
The Holy Bible | Ungodly Conjectures |
The Lord, David, Paul | Freud, Jung, Maslow |
God's Precious Promises | Vain Philosophies |
Love | Disorder |
Word's Concerning The Soul (The Bible) | Ever-changing Theories |
Thus Saith The Lord | This Is What Humanism Says |
God And Country | No God - Weakened Nation |