REFLECTIONS From the NATIONAL CHAPLAIN MICHAEL P. DOVER A Finding peace in the uncertainties of life portion of Psalm 23 states, “He trouble a day will produce. We live either makes me lie down in green in a sense of anxiety, fear and foreboding pastures. He leads me beside or in a sense of quiet rest. Which is it? still waters.” It is in the grip of fear that most of This psalm is about a shepherd, and us are unable to cope with the cruel to understand the peace a shepherd circumstances and harsh complexities brings, you have to first understand of life. As I grow older, my knowledge of sheep. It is almost impossible for sheep my faith makes all the difference in the to relax and lie down unless four basic world as to whether I flee and remain requirements are met. fearful or stay and weather the storm. First, owing to their timidity, sheep Through my faith, I choose the latter. refuse to lie down unless they are free No, I have not mastered fear in my of all fear. Second, life, but I can fall back on because of their social tangible that My knowledge something behavior within a flock, anchors me. Whether it’s of my faith sheep will not lie down your faith or military training, unless they are free you, too, have something makes all the from friction with others to fall back on. Face the difference in of their kind. Third, if enemy, in spite of fear— the world as tormented by flies or sound familiar? This type parasites, sheep will not of attitude makes America to whether I lie down. Only when great. This type of attitude flee and remain makes you, the warfighter— free of these pests can they relax. Lastly, sheep and your dependents fearful or stay will not lie down as long who are supportive of and weather as they feel in need of you—great and unique. the storm. finding food. They must In the midst of be free from hunger. misfortunes, the shepherd It is significant that, to be at rest, there is there. There is nothing so quieting must be a definite sense of freedom from and reassuring to the sheep as the fear, tension, aggravations and hunger. presence of their shepherd. It puts A flock that is restless, discontented, them at ease. In my life, there is no always agitated and disturbed never substitute for the keen awareness does well. The same is true of people. that my shepherd is nearby. He gives We live a most uncertain life. Any hour me assurances that I can rest and relax can bring disaster, danger and distress in spite of what this crazy world dishes from unknown quarters. Life is full of out. Find your shepherd. hazards. No one can tell what new In His Service to You. 30 DAV MAGAZINE | JULY/AUGUST 2020
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Finding peace in the uncertainties of life
MICHAEL P. DOVER
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