Be Strong

“So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!” Psalm 31:24

This morning, I am thinking about my two sons. Both of whom serve in the United States military.

One as a Marine, the other as a Special Forces operative.

I have heard many stories from both of these men as they have journeyed the roads which have led them to where they are today.

It takes a unique and special individual to be a United States Marine. The Marine is a special forces of his own kind. For years, the Marines as I understand it refused to be part of SOCOM (special operations command), the special forces arm of the Department of Defense. Their mindset was that they are the original “special forces”. Why be part of something for which they feel they set the standard for upon the Marine Corp founding?

Levi, prior to boot camp, following one of his incredibly long, early morning. weighted Ruck/Run, as he drove himself HARD training to prepare himself for his potential track into the Special Operations.

However, after years of missing out on defense budget spending, they caved and build what is known as Force Recon or just Recon. The Marine division of the Special Forces. Bad asses for sure.

It also takes a unique and special individual to be in any arm of the Special Forces for the United States military.

Both sons have gone through things that I can’t understand. I mean, I train and work out hard. I do. In particular the past 6 years or so have been some of the hardest workout series and training I have done. But these guys, on a daily basis train and work out and learn in ways most of us can’t understand; and will never understand.

But I do understand fully the pain which comes in life. None of us can escape it. I can’t. I try. But I can’t.

On one hand, I would prefer to not go through the difficulties I face.

On the other, my mind tells me that just like the physical training I go through, so too I must go through hardships for my emotional and spiritual growth.

I don’t know why it is I have little problem putting myself through workouts from hell. Yet, I do everything I can to avoid spiritual pain.

I remember when Levi and I were on the Athlean-X program. All in all, through every series of training, this lasted for nearly 3 years total. In particular as the advanced program progressed, called NXT, it became increasingly difficult. Like, fall on the floor and lay there for 20 minutes trying to not die after the session ended.

As it wore on, a week wouldn’t go by that we’d look ahead to the end of the week challenge, or worse yet the end of the whole phase challenge with great anxiety and fear.

Levi may have been a bit more guilty of that than I. I remember that whenever a new month was opened in NXT Levi would look ahead to the end to see what the end “challenge” would be. Immediately it would strike fear into our minds. “How the hell are we going to do that?…holy crap man…”.

Interestingly, we would always be surprised. Not only would he and I invariably “pass”. But most often we would pass at or near the “Elite” level. The highest obtainable. (So you can see why I was not surprised that he went through the 3 years of hell to finally be labeled a special forces operative and never quit).

Psalm 32:8-11 was part of my reading today and it caused me to think of the above concepts

“The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
    I will advise you and watch over you.
Do not be like a senseless horse or mule
    that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”

 Many sorrows come to the wicked,
    but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.
 So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him!
    Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!”

I suppose there’s a peace in knowing that God cares about me individually. Again, knowing that the Creator of everything I can see and hear and touch guides me is overwhelming.

In NXT Levi and I, about half way through I suppose, began to trust the process. We began to be a little (but not totally) less fearful of that fateful test day at the end of the “level” to see if we could pass through and carry on.

While I haven’t interviewed either of my sons for this little post today, I would be willing to bet they would mirror the same thoughts related to what they have lived through to get to where they are today.

Like when we learned to trust Jeff Cavalier, the author of Athlean-X and NXT, so too the boys, I am sure, have learned to trust the process. They have learned to trust the instructions and wisdom of those who sit over them.

Yes, there is the bureaucracy they have to deal with as part of any huge government complex. Sure. But they are still elite warriors operating at levels most of us could never understand or relate.

BUT at the spiritual level we are all made equal. God knows where we need to go, what we need to do, and what it will take to get us there. Often, I’d prefer to avoid the “training sessions” he puts me through.

I’d like to avoid the pain of loss. I’d prefer to avoid the anxiety of confronting sin. I’d rather not be put into a position to be the guy that has to speak the truth to someone in a world where everyone prefers to hear niceties constantly. I’d rather not have to live with watching my kids go through pain they don’t “deserve” or even when they have brought it on themselves.

I’d prefer to not have to see my dog struggle with his torn ACL knowing there’s little I can do to help his physical pain. Even a little thing like this is difficult to manage for me.

I’d prefer to not have arguments and disagreements with my wife. There could not be two more opposite personalities on the planet living under the same roof. Yet, somehow, it’s becoming enjoyable. Not in some sick, dysfunctional way (who am I kidding?), but in a way that I know…she actually makes me better. She gives to me daily, emotionally, what Athlean-X NXT would give Levi and me once each month. Challenges at the emotional level to test where I am at right now to see if I am ready to go to the next level.

All in all, I must and do remind myself through the reading of the Lord’s word that I can and will trust the process.

“I will guide you along the best pathway for your life…” he says.

How great is that? I mean really?

One of the MANY glorious sunrises I have been priveleged to photography. Sunrise over Bryce Canyon

That the God who paints the sky at sunrise with new forms and colors, never two alike, the God who carved out the canyons, the God who created the forest and lakes and streams genuinely cares enough to guide my life.

There is a peace in that.

When the pain comes, maybe I can get to a place, as I have with other processes, that I believe that He knows about it. He is allowing it, he has written the program into my life that I might be better at the end of it.

The hardest part? The damnable part?

It’s simply this.

I can’t scroll ahead to see the test at the end for which this training prepares me.

He’s wise that way. I can’t get ahead of myself by looking forward in the app to see how the test plays out at the end. Will I pass?

He knows. If I saw the test at the end, much the same as Levi and I would fear each and every new 4 weeks in NXT, I would spend a lot of time in fear and anxiety knowing what would be coming. If I’m honest, even now, I fear and worry about it all far too much.

Perhaps it’s best I don’t know and instead am forced to live one day at a time.

Maybe, in truth, Jesus has the answer.

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11: 28-30

I think what Jesus is saying may be something to the effect of, “Hey, trust me. I’m your true life coach. There’s nothing I’m putting you through that you can’t pass. Relax and believe I’ve got it. Take it easy, rest, know. Don’t worry, don’t fret, those things are just heavy and unnecessary. I know you THINK this is hard, but if you discipline your mind to believe in and trust my directions, you will live more peacefully than you can even believe.”

By the way, Jacob, Levi, if you ever find your way here, until the day comes that you have sons of your own, you likely will not be able to understand just how proud I am to be called your dad. What both of you have done, what both of you have endured is something that no one in my family could have ever accomplished. In fact, none have. You have set a new standard, a new level of attainment for our family to look to.

You have broken new ground in the Anthony family. You have taken things to an entirely new level.

I couldn’t be more proud of two men.

rob (dad) out

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