God Understands
Introduction
Armed Services Ministry in collaboration with Veteran Affairs (VA) chaplain consultants developed the God Understands series: A resource created to provide healing, hope and comfort to Veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and the spiritual, physical and emotional brokenness brought on by active duty service.
Based on the Spiritual Injury Scale used by VA chaplains, real life situations about Veterans are shared to help identify spiritual injuries that often lead to feelings of uncertainty.
There is a common human thread that flows through our frailties, our weaknesses, our heartaches and our sufferings—and a common thread of hope that so many have found through prayer and Scripture.
Engaging this content can help you process your injuries and begin to heal. Start your own journey today.
How to Engage
- Begin Your Journey
- Select the Spiritual Injury topic that speaks to you.
- Start with Introduction for an overview of your topic.
- Dig deeper by reflecting on the Scriptures, thought-provoking questions and prayers unique to each topic.
- Engage in a Format that You Like
- Engage online: Drop-down options allow you to engage the material section by section. Font size can be enlarged.
- Print.
- Listen to dramatic readings of select topics available online or download to your electronic device.
- Sign up for text message journeys.
- Connect with Others
- Join the God Understands Facebook group: Initiate a discussion and share your journey with others who understand.
- Veterans, contact a VA chaplain at your local VA Medical Center.
God Understands…When You Fear Death
Are you afraid of dying? Fear of death comes in many forms. Are you afraid of being a burden, dying alone, or dying in pain? Do you fear what comes after death? The Scriptures speak to each of these concerns. Find out more.
God Understands…When You Feel Angry
Do you feel angry more often than not? Is your anger sometimes out of control? Do your friends and family express concern for you and your well-being? Do your feelings frighten you? Are others frightened by the way you express your feelings? Learn what righteous anger looks like and allow God to set you free from anger that controls you.
God Understands…When You Feel Despair and Hopelessness
Your experiences may have left you with a sense of despair and hopelessness – dreams lost; relationships damaged; your self-esteem trashed. Does it feel as though God has disappeared? Or that there is no hope left for you? Spend some time on this journey and discover the comfort and hope that the Scriptures offer to you.
God Understands…When You Feel Life Is Meaningless
Maybe the things that you have seen, even things you have done, have left you feeling that there is no reason to live. You have lost your ability to make sense of life and you've lost a sense of purpose. Do you feel like a lost sheep? God is searching for even the one lost sheep in a hundred. Are you willing to be found?
God Understands…When You Feel Life Is Unfair
Life is sometimes unfair. We experience loss, pain and injury. Sometimes terrible things happen to us through no fault of our own. We want someone or something to blame. Many times, we believe that God has failed us. Scripture teaches us that when life seems unfair, God's people should bring their complaints to God.
God Understands…When You Feel Overwhelmed with Guilt
Do you carry a burden for something awful that you have done? Or maybe you are troubled by something you think you should have done, but didn't do. Are your memories an ongoing source of pain and suffering for you? God has words of healing, forgiveness and hope for you. Allow yourself to begin to let go of the guilt that you carry.
God Understands…When You Feel Sadness and Grief
Do you have deep sadness over the things that you have seen - lives that have been cut short; physical wounds that will never fully heal? Do you grieve the loss of friends? Are you able to cry? God hears our cries and cares about our hurts. God can help carry your sorrow. Bring your feelings to God and find his comfort.
God Understands…When You Have Doubts
Do you find yourself in doubt, not recognizing yourself or some of the decisions you have made? Do you doubt that God cares or is present in the midst of difficult situations? You are not alone. Peter and Thomas, two of Jesus' closest friends, also experienced times of doubt. Jesus met them at their point of need. He can meet you here, too.
God Understands - About
The God Understands series is a resource from American Bible Society’s Armed Services Ministry, which exists to help meet the spiritual needs of our nation’s Military and Veterans. Learn more about the editors here.
Get the Bible in Your Inbox Daily
