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 have not scene 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. Drinching rain, thunder, lightning, cursing, yelling, screaming forth to God. IS THAT ALL YOU GOT! Lt. Dan yells! The crackle of several thunder bursts break 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 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 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 to point to our Father as having no empathy for my poor stubborn self. Like Lt. Dan, I was mad to! But mad at the wrong fault. In hindsight the fault was all mine, and not until I realized this could I 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 and 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 this night.
The Lord's Prayer has this phrase it 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!
It works! It really does.
Wounded Warriors only remain wounded by choice.
