Christ Saved This Vet from Suicide. Now He Helps Others Find Freedom.
By Movieguide® Contributor
Combat veteran Ben Peterson shared his powerful testimony of how God saved him from suicide and gave him a new mission with Kirk Cameron.
Peterson “served in Iraq during the surge in 2008-2009. He lost 7 of his brothers in combat, experienced the fallout of suicide bombers at a local school, daily mortar attacks, and held the position of a Chaplains assistant to perform the duties of a personal security detail to the Chaplain,” his website reads.
While talking with Cameron, Peterson shared a story of one of his fellow brothers, Anthony, in Iraq, who gave his life for the sake of his team.
“I’ve always carried that with me because Anthony put his brother first and that was him laying down his life,” he said. “That’s what you do. You put other people’s needs before yourself, and that’s what makes the bond so deep.”
Cameron then asked Peterson how the experiences of war, combat and losses affected his relationship with God.
“It was probably about 23 days after I came home from Iraq that I started having nightmares and tremors,” the veteran recalled. “I was doing things and experiencing things in my dreams that were so awful and atrocious. They’re indescribable. I would wake up screaming, sweating and just crying out to God as I began to spiral out of control.”
Peterson began to look to alcohol to help numb the pain.
“As this Christian who loves Jesus and is called to a higher life, here I am dealing with all the shame of my combat tour and the things that took place and what’s happening and manifesting in my dreams, and I’m dealing with all of the shame of my sin as a Christian,” he explained.
“I hit a point where I became very suicidal. I remember I got home one night after the bar closed and I had a handgun and I was sitting there processing taking my life, really wanting to do it,” he continued. “I called my mentor at 3 o’clock in the morning. I was just falling apart on the phone, just crying out, ‘Why? Why is this happening to me?'”
“He began to explain to me how the disciples lost Jesus and how that was the most confusing experience for them until the resurrection day,” Peterson added. “Scott said to me at 3 o’clock in the morning, ‘Ben, you’re in that place where the disciples were when Jesus died. They don’t know why they went through what they went through, but behind it and underneath that is the greatest victory the world has ever known…You’re going to have a day where you understand this pain, why God put you through it and what He’s going to do with it.'”
God certainly has used the pain Peterson experienced for good. He went on to found Engage Your Destiny, a nonprofit that combats “military suicide by equipping our bravest with the spiritual tools to face any battle.”
The nonprofit shared its appreciation for veterans’ sacrifice on Veterans Day.
“Today is a special day for all who’ve served this great nation – and will forever be a defender of freedom. First, thank you for serving. Our veterans are the most selfless and honorable people in this country,” Engage Your Destiny posted. “America has many faults, but we’re still the greatest nation in the world, and it’s because of veterans like you that we hope for what our country can become.”
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