Veterans, think back to a time in your military career when a mistake was made. It might have been yours, your team’s, or your unit’s. How did leadership respond? What kind of leader stood in front of you in that moment? Were they calm and corrective, or harsh and abrasive?

Throughout my time in both the Army and the Navy, mistakes were often met with raised voices, insults, and unfiltered language. Being yelled at, cursed at, and demeaned was common. At the time, I understood the purpose. There is no true way to simulate combat. Stress had to be created, and discomfort was intentional. Pressure was constant because lives depended on performance.

In the Navy, this culture was so normalized that profanity became part of everyday communication. The phrase “sailor’s mouth” was not an exaggeration. Those words followed me into the Army, where the stress level intensified. The Army trained us to operate with urgency at all times. Mistakes carried consequences, and those consequences could be fatal. Living in a constant state of alert became part of the job. Eventually, it became part of who I was.

I am not complaining. I was blessed to serve nearly a decade in the greatest military in the world. That experience shaped me in many positive ways. However, I am also seeking understanding—and healing—for the struggles that followed me home, struggles many veterans quietly carry.

Today, as a veteran living with post-traumatic stress and striving to follow Christ, I ask myself difficult questions. How do I deal with anger when stress hits? Will I ever truly get this under control? My stress response goes from zero to one hundred in seconds. There is no difference between a real threat and a minor inconvenience. My brain learned that everything is serious, everything matters, and everything must be perfect. When it is not, I react with what I call “military anger.”

Faith has helped me see this clearly. Anger has no place in the Kingdom of God. Scripture calls us to remove all forms of malice and bitterness (Ephesians 4:31). We are reminded that patience reflects wisdom and honor (Proverbs 19:11). Christ teaches us a better way—one marked by patience, kindness, humility, and self-control, not easily provoked or driven by pride (1 Corinthians 13:4–5).

This realization forces me to be intentional about who I am becoming. I want to be the best husband, father, son, neighbor, veteran, and friend that I can be. That transformation does not happen on its own. It begins with prayer. I ask God to break the chains of my former self. I am no longer in uniform. I no longer need to live on constant high alert. I ask Him to remove anger and replace it with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23).

If you are struggling with anger, stress, or emotional reactions that feel out of your control, you are not alone. Pray boldly. Ask God to break those chains and guide you toward healing and renewed joy.

Veterans also play a powerful role in helping one another heal. Share your testimony. Share your victories and your failures. Speak honestly about the transition from military to civilian life and how faith has carried you through it. Your story may be the encouragement someone else needs.

Sharing your testimony online can be a powerful way to encourage other believers and draw others closer to Christ. Do not be afraid to show what God has done in your life.

Matthew 5:21–22
“You have heard that the law of Moses says, ‘Do not murder.’ But I say, if you are angry with someone, you are subject to judgment…”