THE GREAT OUTDOORS

One of the things we love about activities in God's Country like hunting, fishing, and camping, is the strategizing and preparation required to be successful, and being away from the hustle and bustle of the world. It is beyond exciting to take on the challenge of finding and then harvesting an animal, or coming across that sweet spot on a lake, or hiking and finding an amazing, seemingly untouched camping spot with infinite views of the sunrise, sunsets, and stars.

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Just as much, myself and others in our program, enjoy the uncertain and nervous feelings of hunting that come before the success of it all. The adrenaline and endorphins that are released are unmatched in almost anything else you can do in this life we're gifted. Plus...if we had close encounters with big ones every time we went out, there would be no surprise and everyone would do it, right?

The "great outdoors" they say is the greatest therapy of all because it involves the creation that God has blessed us with, Mother Earth. There are so many great neurological and physiological benefits centered around just getting out into the country, away from the day to day city life.

For me, perhaps the most impactful aspect of hunting is in fact the therapy it offers. Of course it puts food on the table, that's the obvious reason, but there's so much more.

" Be still and know that I am God,"

Being out in God's Country, aka "the great outdoors," gives you that chance and time to be still. Anyone who has ever hunted knows that you can spend hours being still waiting, wanting, and being full of anxiety. How many reflect on the greatness of God while doing so though?

1 Peter 5:7 says: "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" and

Philippians 4:6-7 says: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

Our program talks and teaches our Survivors to reflect and do exactly that, not only in hunting but in real life, and to know that He is Jehovah Jireh, God the provider. In response to the stresses and chaos of daily life, it can provide a spiritual reset for many. Some say hunting, fishing, and camping is a feeling of being in the presence of God and that in itself provides a refreshing or renewing of one's soul.

It’s interesting to me that the very things that cause pressure and anxiety in our lives, such as jobs, friendships, and family, are also some of the biggest blessings in our lives. It's all about perspective...

Embracing and accepting the reality and truth in that fact, is vital to keeping a balance and developing the spiritual resiliency we need everyday. Providing the opportunity for this pause, God's Country helps you in accomplishing this.

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here is even research indicating that hospital patients able to view nature from windows experience faster recovery rates. This included patients with both mental and physical ailments. Not science, but again the affect on the spirit that God's creations has is indisputable.

It's no surprise that hunts are so impactful and transforming for disabled veterans. Given a second chance at life first and foremost, and then being given the opportunity to do things they never thought they'd do or do again, they truly have a life changing experience. As we said earlier, they particularly find relief through the solitude and sensory experience that only fishing or a hunt in "God's Country " can provide.

With simply taking in His creation, comes an escape from our wordly problems and pending decisions; and sometimes gives us clarity in the answers we were searching for. If not for only a few hours, it can illuminate a new perspective and appreciation for what we didn't see beforehand as well.