Combat Stress Reaction
“And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.” (1 Kings 19:1-4)
Today’s Morsel: Combat Stress Reaction (CSR) is most frequently known as shell shock or battle fatigue. It results in a range of adverse behaviors because of stress from battle. Some universal symptoms are exhaustion, decrease in responsiveness, hesitancy, and uncertainty, feeling like you are disconnected and have an inability to focus. Some other combat stress reactions one may experience include restlessness, panic, irritability, rage, confusion, memory problems, fatigue, insomnia, trembles, shortness of breath, and dissociation. These symptoms, if not addressed, can lead folks to suicide, sickness, and feeling useless to their team, ministry, or family. As Christians, we are in warfare. And if leadership does not understand this and know how to identify these symptoms within themselves and their followers, they can expect to see the same signs as displayed by Elijah on the battlefield. Notice, Elijah went from a great mountain top victory to fear and depression and requesting to die. This happens when we do not understand warfare and battlefield disciplines. CSR is real. Yet it can be overcome. The way you defeat CSR is through rest, vacation, preparedness, physical training, good personal hygiene, proper eating, and keeping your mind on Jesus. As Isaiah said: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:” (Isaiah 26:3-4). Yes, CSR may be real, yet Jesus Christ is the answer to overcoming it and being victorious.
Sing: O’ victory in Jesus, my Savior forever, He sought me, and He bought me, with His redeeming blood. He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him. He plunged me, to victory, beneath the cleansing flood.
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