Post Tramatic Stress Disorder is a tough topic to discuss and even harder to deal with in daily living. As I work more and more with returning troops I realize it is becoming a part of daily life for a majority of our returning soldiers. Recently I was talking with Earl Henslin an expert in Tramatic Stress and I asked him this Question. "What approach can a soldier take to minimize the impact of PTSD?" What I wanted was by far to simple to be the perfect answer but at least where does one start. Here is his responce.

1. One of the ways to guard against ptsd is to talk and share with the men you are with, your experience...when you talk about it you lessen the long term impact it is going to have on you.

2. Spend time going to your chaplain's services....ask for prayer support and encouragement. You notice in the 91st Psalm that David is open about his need. You can talk to a chaplain or priest and it is confidential.

3. Talk about what went wrong...mentally rehearse the positive steps to take next time. Listen to the solidiers who have been there and learn the details of what they have learned to make themselves safe.

4. When you see wounded, or dead...mentally place them in Jesus hands and arms...do not carry them...when you think of them later visualize releasing them into the Lord's Hands...you are not alone...the same God that is with you wants to help both the enemy and your friends.

Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. [a]

2 I will say [b] of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.

8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-

10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;

12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."