PTSD Foundation of America: A Force for Good
- Richard Selke
- Nov 11, 2025
- 4 min read
November 12, 2025
LISTEN TO AUDIO
When our son, Clay, was discharged from the Marines after serving tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, he told us he was suffering from a “wicked” case of PTSD. At the time, we didn’t know what that meant. It was 2009, and even much of the medical world didn’t fully understand it.
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a mental and emotional condition that can result from experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event – military combat, natural disasters, terrorism, serious accidents or physical or sexual assault or abuse.
Those who suffer often relive their traumatic experience through nightmares and flashbacks. They may struggle to sleep, feel detached from others or lose their sense of peace. It can lead to depression, substance abuse and memory problems. Symptoms can be relatively mild and short-lived or severe enough and last long enough to significantly impair the person’s daily life. PTSD doesn’t only wound the individual – it affects families, communities and our nation.
But healing is possible. Praise God!
Faith plays an enormous role in health care. Guy Gourley, the Christian counselor who has helped Susan and me with the trauma from losing Clay, once told me about our veterans, “These guys won’t heal without Jesus.”
I believe that’s true – because Jesus alone can heal the heart. The Bible says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3, NIV.
The PTSD Foundation of America understands this truth. This Christ-centered organization provides hope and healing to veterans and their families suffering from combat-related PTSD. Its programs, including Camp Hope in Houston, treat veterans not as victims but as warriors – men and women who can still fight for life, purpose and faith. How one deals with trauma can either lead them to holy ground or drive them into the pit of hell. Through prayer, counseling, fellowship and the transforming love of Christ, many are finding freedom from addiction, reconnecting their faith in God, rediscovering God’s plan for their lives, reconciling with their families and stepping into a new season of hope.
The PTSD Foundation of America is saving lives – and doing the work of Christ in the world. Although it may not call itself a “church,” it is living out the Gospel in action: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it for me.” Matthew 25:40, NIV
Before his death, Clay was supposed to meet with David Maulsby, Executive Director of Support & Giving at the Foundation. Clay didn’t make that meeting. If he had, I sometimes wonder if his story might have turned out differently. But I trust that God is not finished writing Clay’s story – or ours. In His mercy, God can bring beauty from ashes (Isaiah 61:3)
As we mark Veterans Day, we honor all who have served in our nation’s armed forces – those who have risked their lives so that others may live in freedom.
George Washington once said, “The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.” Let us remember, appreciate, thank them and pray for them – and thank God for those who protect our liberty and peace.
REMEMBER & BELIEVE
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
In the meantime, let us love and serve in His name!
QUESTION
Where is God calling you to bring healing, comfort or encouragement to those who are hurting?
A Prayer for those in the Armed Forces of our Country
Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of Your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen (Book of Common Prayer, p. 823)
Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil and the evil one. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen
If you or someone you love carries invisible wounds - whether from war, loss or life’s battles, know this – you are not alone, and you are not beyond healing. The same Jesus who calmed the storm and set captives free still speaks peace into broken hearts today. He invites you to come to Him, just as you are and find rest for your soul. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28, NIV
May His light break through every darkness, and may His love remind us that no wound is too deep, no story too far gone for the grace of God to redeem.
Learn more about the PTSD Foundation of America and Camp Hope at www.ptsdusa.org
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24, ESV
God bless you!
Richard
Christ Worshipper | Disciple Maker | Hope Giver
Welcome to In the Meantime. I'm glad you're here! We are living in the time between Christ's ascension into heaven and His promised return to earth. In the Meantime is a collection of stories about God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and His presence, love, mercy and grace in my life. In the Meantime, Jesus is Lord! Hallelujah!
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