TITLE: BEAR DOWN! By Janice Baca 10/15/08 |
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I knew in my heart I was called to evangelize in other countries. However, my expectation was that I would travel on my own schedule and not by US Air Force orders to South Korea. I sat in the crowded airport with dread of what was to come over the next year away from my family. It was at that time I closed my eyes to remember a lesson I learned in bearing down and overcoming tough obstacles.
It was a scorching August in San Antonio when I received specialized training in battlefield casualty care. The days were filled with intense field exercises, marching, and late night battlefield drills. I was one of the few women receiving this training and wanted to prove I could overcome the intensity of the austere environment.
On one particular morning, we were told we would be going to the gas chamber in order to test our ability to don and clear our gas masks. With a mischievous grin, the sergeant decided he would make the tear gas much thicker than usual so we would feel the BURN!
The sergeant teased the women in my row stating we would be the first to run out the door because “women can’t handle the burn.” We became very nervous and doubted our ability to make it through. With his last statement I turned to the women and asked if they had ever given birth. Each woman stated they had. I told the ladies I was sure this was less painful than giving birth and that we were to bear down through this experience as a woman in labor. We agreed to stand strong through this experience together no matter the pain.
The time came when we were to enter into the gas chamber. There was only one way in and one way out. The women were positioned to enter first. Single file we walked in a large circle arcing back towards the entrance. The last man entered completing the circle.
We were instructed to take off our gas mask, state our name, rank and unit; starting with the women in the front of the line. One by one, we took off our masks. Immediately, our eyes were on fire, our nose was burning, and our throats were seared. After we made our statements, we put our gas masks back on and cleared the gas from around our face. Our eyes were watering, our nose draining, and our skin was cherry red.
Once I cleared my mask, I looked around for the other women to see how they were faring. It was difficult to open my eyes and see through the tears, but I could see they were still standing in the same place they started. The looks on their faces were that of mothers bearing down and pushing through the pain of childbirth.
Each person took his or her turn one by one completing the circle. The last man slowly removed his mask, started to speak and then began screaming. He then began to panic, rubbing his face and eyes as he ran out the chamber door. Blinded by the pain, he was unable to see the obstacles in front of him and collided into a tree. The impact knocked him out cold!
While attempting to maintain composure, the remaining people slowly walked around the gas chamber to exit in an orderly fashion. We knew we were one step closer to overcoming a tremendous test. At that moment, I knew the women had the ability to bear the pain and push through to victory.
Suddenly I heard the announcement our plane was boarding for South Korea and I awoke with a renewed courage. The goal of our gas chamber experience was to prepare us to be the best medics for our soldiers in time of war. God’s purpose in His training for us is no different. It is the Lord’s preparation and training that gives us the ability to overcome obstacles and face the unknown. Even though we may be walking in our calling, there are moments we must face tough situations. He prepares us for victory to fulfill our purpose. However, through those situations the Lord births new strengths in us. Plus, I have to confess that gas chambers don’t scare me any more.
I gathered my belongings understanding there will be times ahead that we, as God’s people, need to bear down and push to victory. Whether trials are from God or from man, we need to do as we did when we faced our gas chamber, bear down and push to victory. Perhaps afterwards you won’t be afraid of your gas chamber as well.
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