If life is a battle, then I suggest you take a day's worth of training at SERE. Or if you are not up for the challenge (of being thrown into the jungle), then you can just digest one of their simple and yet, profound principles.
SERE, which stands for Survival Evasion Resistance Escape, trains armies, soldiers, navies, air-force to become experts in combat. They teach them to survive in the arctic, desert, open ocean, jungle, mountain regions, in-combat and captivity situations.
They're first and most important rule is ONLY THE MENTALLY STRONG SURVIVES.
Who do you think will survive in a battle: a man who has been trained for years, one who is well-versed with all the survival skills, and yet possesses a negative train of thought or a man who is not trained at all but is very much positive?
Answer: The second man. Why? The first man may have the know-how but in time of despair, anger may consume him, hope may abandon him and his own depression may kill him. I doubt that this man would be able to get his acts together and defend himself or his team when the enemy attacks. The second man with the right thinking has more chances of surviving.
Not all strong mindsets are the right mindset though. I realized this from a recent seminar I attended. There was this speaker who was sharing about positive thinking as a must when you have dreams. He said, "If you want to have abs, just think of having some pandesal (dinner rolls) embossed on your flat stomach everyday, I assure you you'd have your abs in no time. No physical effort is needed." I can't believe people would pay thousands to hear these things. (Don't worry, I got in for free.)
Here's the real deal, a true-to-life story, with a real battle faced. Once upon a time, in a faraway land of Soco, Judah, a battle rose between two nations. There was a nine-footer enemy who challenged the people of Judah for a one on one fight with him. This titan was a very well-trained champion in his army and was equipped with all the right gadgets (i.e. spear shaft, bronze javelin). I guess with his power no one could really beat him up. Not until a small 17 year old came his way.
Yes, you read it right. Seventeen.Year. Old. Boy. with no combat experience nor deadly weapons to back him up except for a sling and few stones, this brave 17 year old faced him with courage. He struck down the giant by a single sling shot. You know what earned him victory? Having not only the right perspective, but also a God who is on his side! He believed that the battle was the Lord's. "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied." (1 Samuel 17:25)
David won not by might nor by power, but by the spirit of God. Same goes with us in our own battles. We may sink in the ocean of piled-up work, surrender to the flow of the current, and choose to die over a hopeless struggle. We surely will if we do not have the right mindset and we forget the power of the great Lord.
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. ~Psalm 55:22
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