Step-by-Step: A Veteran’s New Mission on CampusUzorak

The Paradox Step

“For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).

In quieter moments, have you taken time to evaluate your reintegration and transition from full-time military service to your new life on campus? If you returned from overseas before separating from your service branch, you might have noticed these common paradoxes:

• “I am exhausted physically and mentally, but I can’t calm down.’
• “No one understands me, but I don’t want to talk about it.’
• “I’m happy to be home, but I withdraw a lot.’
• “I’m happy to be alive, but I feel guilty for having survived.”

Researchers at the University of Southern California Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans and Military Families identified these paradoxes and others that returning veterans normally experience. Examining these emotions can bring you to the question, “What steps do I need to take to heal?”

If your goal is to experience peace and balance in your life, the campus environment could be the perfect time and place for you to:

• Pause and reflect on conflicting emotions.
• Ask questions of trusted advisors.
• Receive biblical counseling.
• Seek and give forgiveness.
• Invest time in a campus ministry and church fellowship.

Interestingly, the Christian faith is one which holds to many paradoxes, such as:

“For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10);

“So the last will be first, and the first last” (Matthew 20:16);

“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39).

Instead of these truths being in either/or conflict, they harmonize with a both/and perspective. That dynamic of Christianity is worth exploring when you try to resolve what appears to be your emotional confusion and instability. Like the psalmist in Psalm 25:4-5, ask your friend Jesus to

“Show me Your ways, O LORD, teach me Your paths; guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.”

The effort to follow in Jesus’ steps will lead you to peace!

Question to Ponder: If you have noticed the paradox of conflicting emotions in your reintegration, what steps listed above could be helpful to keep moving forward?