I Found the Same Adrenaline I had Overseas in Combat
I’ve never been more joyful, purposeful, or fulfilled in my life. What I’ve found now reminds me of the same deep sense of mission and community I experienced with my brothers in arms during my time as an Army Infantry Mortar Platoon Leader in Afghanistan.
In Afghanistan, we had one mission. We were a unified community, linking arms because the weight of our purpose left us no choice. It was life or death—literally. To survive and succeed, we forgot our differences: political views, beliefs, and even personal struggles back home. None of that mattered compared to the mission. The stakes demanded complete focus, faith, and a shared commitment.
For me, my faith anchored me during those times. I leaned into my relationship with God in a way I’d never done before. Facing the reality of death daily sharpened my focus and made my time in His Word more precious. I wasn’t just reading it—I was putting it into action. And for that reason, my faith grew and flourished. It wasn’t just sustaining me but fueling me with purpose, keeping my spiritual tank full to the brim. The thought of being killed ISIS for my faith somehow invigorated me. It was not that I wanted to put anyone at risk, it was more so the complete trust I had to have to trust and obey His word (what I literally read that morning) – to have faith that He will protect me, to trust that He will give me words to speak to the soldiers who were a part of my first “church”, to give me wisdom on justice and praying for my enemies, to give me boldness and courage to lead my men well and more.
Fast-forward. Since October 31st, I’ve been unemployed and navigating life with three daughters under four. This season has been a challenge, but it has also been a gift. Like in Afghanistan, I’ve had no choice but to link arms—this time with my Heavenly Father, wife, and community. I’ve learned to trust God completely and believe He will provide and guide me.
And He has!
This season has sparked something in me—a purpose that has set my heart on fire. It’s the same sense of mission I felt overseas, the same focus and joy. It’s led me to build a ministry, to pursue one-on-one relationships intentionally, and to step into deeper faith. And I can’t thank God enough for it. I can’t thank my wife and friends enough for walking alongside me.
It’s powerful to encourage others to trust God, especially when you’re doing it yourself. But here’s the truth: we shouldn’t have to wait until life forces us into trust to experience this freedom. In Afghanistan, I trusted Him to protect us, to guide my decisions, and to bring my soldiers home. He carried the weight of justice when it was too heavy for me to bear. He even taught me to pray for my enemies. And God was faithful.
He’s still faithful.
Right now, He’s providing for me in incredible ways. We have a home, more blessings than I could have asked for, and the generosity of others has been overwhelming. Financial needs are being met, and I was even gifted 100 pounds of Wagyu beef (holler if you want some free hamburgers; we can’t eat all this)! God is so good.
But here’s what I’ve realized: this is how we should live daily. You don’t have to go to war, face terminal cancer, or lose your job to start trusting Him. Don’t wait for life to strip away your comforts to realize that complete dependence on God is the most free way to live.
When you put your faith entirely in Him, it’s worth it. If you’re lacking joy or purpose, give it all to God. I promise He will fulfill you. He’ll fill your tank 24/7. That doesn’t mean there won’t be challenges or storms. But when you’re rooted in Him, your foundation is unshakable.
When the storms of life come - and they will, and they may even cause some damage - you won’t be destroyed because your roots will run deep, and you’ll have a firm foundation to stand upon. When you trust God, you’ll find a joy and purpose that surpasses all understanding.
So I encourage you—don’t wait. Give it all to Him. Because when you bet on God in the battlefield of life, He cannot lose. He created you. He will sustain you. And He will carry you into victory every single time. It’s worth it to put everything on the line for the King of Kings, who wants to be your provider, father, and friend.