As could be expected for any amputee victim, Phil wrestled emotionally and spiritually with his future. After all, he was twenty years old with his whole life in front of him. But for the rest of his days, nothing would change the fact that he had lost most of his right leg. That was the harsh reality.[1]

After all the battles and death in Europe, after the daily torment and agony of front-line, trench warfare, after beginning what would be a terribly long and difficult rehabilitation, Phil felt his resilience tank was empty—his capacity to withstand and then recover from any further trauma and trouble was gone.

On top of this, his parents seemed to be pulling away from him, almost as if his stump repelled them. Though his mom and dad were nice and loving, Phil sensed a change in their attitude toward him when they visited.

Phil’s self-image was shattered; his future was uncertain. After all he had been through, he wasn’t sure he wanted to go on. He always wanted a career in the Army—but now that was stolen from him—not just by a German sniper, but by the Army and the country he loved.

One afternoon, he was feeling incredibly depressed about his status as an amputee. He considered ending it all, but had the insight and wisdom to seek help.

A series of heartfelt conversations with a chaplain was life-altering for Phil–and perhaps life saving. After Phil confessed his awkward feelings to the chaplain, he heard this soul-stirring advice:

Your wounds – physical, emotional, and spiritual – will either make you a bitter person or a better person. They will either harden your heart or soften it. They will either result in a more-angry Phil or a more-aware Phil—one who is more pessimistic or more positive.

You will either be a soldier and a person changed for the worse, or one who chooses to make both your life and the world better.

Your resilience does not depend upon what others do to you or what the world foists upon you, but your resilience, indeed your very survival, will depend completely on how you choose to respond.

In my opinion, the worst handicap in life isn’t being disabled; it’s being disabled with a bad attitude.

If you spend time focusing only on your inabilities, you will become blinded to your abilities.

The Germans smashed your leg, the Army crushed your hopes and dreams, but don’t let them shatter your heart, your talents, your gifts, your will, or your faith in God and His plan for you.

The choice is really up to you.

Phil’s prayers began to change. He asked for God’s guidance through the storms instead of some sort of miraculous rescue from the storms. He asked for a sense of peace to reign in his heart.[2]

He never looked back. His life was not only changed for good, but his life was saved for ever.

~~~~~

[1] Larimore, At First Light, 276 (however, the version above is an expanded, pre-edited version of what appeared in the book).

[2] Larimore, Ibid.

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