Hello, Everyone. This is Chaplain Sung Kim. I am Deputy CMD CH in the 63d Readiness Division. I pray you are well.
I believe that training is necessary in every area of our lives. How about the arts? No artist performs well without practice. Only through practice is the finest art possible. Training or practice is painful. But without this, you may never find success in life. In any field, education, science, or business, we need training and practice. As soldiers, we know what training means for being good soldiers.
I could graduate Air Assault School when I was 39 years old. I had to prepare for one year long preparation with daily two hours PT and weekend Road March. I could completed Death Bataan March when I was 47 years old. I had to prepare for 6 months preparation with daily PT and 20 miles run weekend. I learned, there are no shortcuts to success. Success never happens overnight.
Peace of mind never comes peacefully. Peace comes after a hard struggle for it. Joy in life never comes joyfully. Joy comes after painful suffering.
We often say, “He had the good luck to become a big shot. If I were he, I could be a great man, too.” This is not necessarily so. Those who say such things likely have not seen anyone working hard, because they themselves have been sleeping. Look at any great businessman! Long before he became successful, he was working hard, early in the morning or late at night, while other were resting or sleeping.
There is a core of suffering in every joy, every kindness, and every grace of life. The larger heart, the clearer vision, the stouter courage, all comes at the high price of painful discipline.
We are going through the most difficult years in our lives. I believe that this is a life training as well. Never forget, “Training and practice bear fruit in peace and joy.
Warren Wiersbe said, “If you want to enjoy the rainbow, be prepared to endure the storm.” Everybody wants to have successful life, and nobody wants pain, but you can't have a rainbow without a little rain.
I believe many of us are determined people. We keep practicing our craft, over and over again. We want to become better soldiers, husband and wife, writers, mechanics, parents and etc. The greatest achievers don't simply sit back and wait for success to come along. These achievers keep moving forward and persevering because they are determined. There's just no getting around it, persistence is the key to success. Never give up, no matter how hard it might seem.
I love to read these words, “Endure hardship as discipline…No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12: 7, 11)
In the desire for religious security, many of us try shortcut methods: We attend service, when we feel like going to church on Easter, Thanksgiving Sunday, or Christmas. We pray when we are in danger only. We read one section of Scripture, and then we wonder why nothing happens. And Enduring faith comes only by persevering effort, using all the means of grace possible. Each day we must add to our spiritual selves. We must take time to pray, to attend church and to practice daily what we learn thereby.
Have a blessed day! Blood and fire!
Here is the direct email and phone number for anyone requesting support from the 63d RD Chaplain office,
usarmy.usarc.63-rsc.list.chaplain-all-users@mail.mil
650-526-9668