Testimony of Healing July 9, 2007 Issue

GOD'S PERFECTION ASSURES HEALING

ROB NOFSINGER

In 2002, while going through officer training for the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia, my fellow officers and I found ourselves in the final training exercise of our difficult six-month course. We were running infantry maneuvers for a week in the training area of the Quantico Base. On the final day of the exercise, we awoke early in the morning expecting to have a quick breakfast and march ten miles back to our base.

As we formed columns for the march home, our commanding officer had one final lesson. He ordered us to strap two sandbags each to our packs, to teach us that we should never overburden our Marines. It was bad enough to have to add that much weight to our already heavy packs, but it had rained the night before, so the sandbags were even heavier than usual. The only way to successfully put on the pack was to lie down on top of it, face up, and strap it on. Three other Marines then pulled each of us to our feet, and we were stabilized while we found our balance. Once this whole routine was completed, the columns slowly started to trudge down the road.

It took all of the mental and physical strength I had just to focus enough to place one foot in front of the other and stay upright. The pain in my legs was overwhelming. But a favorite Bible verse from Psalms came to thought; "Be still, and know that I am God" (46:10). I began to think about how God is ever present, and is therefore in control of every situation—here and now, and always. A sense of peace swept through my thoughts. I once again became aware of those around me. The pain that had been so intense moments before faded into the background and caused me no more difficulty. I was then able to walk up and down the column, encouraging and helping my fellow Marines. A short time later, our commanding officer called us to a halt and ordered us to remove the sandbags. He had proved his point—and we would never forget it.

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