When Times Get Hard
When life becomes overwhelming, hope can feel distant. Every one of us will face seasons of hardship — divorce, illness, job loss, or the loss of someone we love. In those moments, it’s natural to ask why and even to question God. People respond to pain in different ways: some withdraw, some try to numb the hurt, and others turn away in anger. But hardship does not have to define the end of our story.
Facing Hardship with Strength
Difficult times can become defining moments. Veterans are trained to look for solutions, not surrender, because focusing only on problems leads to despair. In early 2012, I entered the darkest season of my life. Within weeks, I lost my wife of 34 years after her long battle with cancer. Soon after, I experienced the sudden deaths of my nephew, my sister, and my mother-in-law. I was overwhelmed by grief and questions I couldn’t answer. I reached a breaking point, but I did not stay there. The realization that my daughter still needed me reminded me that my life still had purpose.
Rock Bottom Is Not the End
That season taught me a powerful truth: hitting rock bottom does not mean you are finished. It means you are standing at a crossroads. Sacrifice is part of a soldier’s life; sacrificing comfort, time with family, and personal safety for something greater. If we are still here, our mission is not over. Our experiences, even the painful ones, can prepare us to serve in ways we never imagined.
Finding Purpose Through Service
One of the most effective ways to move forward is to shift our focus from ourselves to others. Serving gives pain a purpose. Many Veteran organizations — such as the Wounded Warrior Project, Tunnel to Towers, the American Legion, VFW, and Freedom System Organization — depend on people who are willing to step up and help.
Through serving others, I found strength, healing, and renewed hope.
You Are Not Alone
If you’re breathing, your work isn’t finished. If you reach your breaking point, don’t suffer alone; reach out to other Veterans and let them know what you are going through. Freedom System Organization offers support groups twice a month to give you an outlet to talk about what you are dealing with. What you’ve been through can become a source of encouragement for someone else who is struggling. Even in the hardest seasons, there is purpose, hope, and the opportunity to make a difference.
And remember, you are not alone—your brothers and sisters in arms are there for you.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
