Through the Fire: A soldier's walk through the Valley

Through the Fire

Mr. Chen

Copyright © 2025 by Mr. Chen

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Table of Contents

Dedication

Introduction: Embers of the Soul

Chapter 1: The Lord is My Shepherd – Echoes of Vietnam

Chapter 2: I Shall Not Want – Thirst in the Desert

Chapter 3: He Maketh Me to Lie Down in Green Pastures – Stillness in Afghanistan.

Chapter 4: Yea, Though I Walk Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death – Courage in the Face of Fear

Chapter 5: He Restoreth My Soul – The Wounds We Cannot See

Chapter 6: Thou Preparest a Table Before Me in the Presence of Mine Enemies – Provision and Hope Amid Struggle

Chapter 7: Yea, Though I Walk Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death – Facing Fear and Mortality

Chapter 8: I Will Fear No Evil – Overcoming the Trauma of War

Chapter 9: For Thou Art With Me – Finding God in the Trenches

Chapter 10: Thy Rod and Thy Staff, They Comfort Me – Discipline, Protection, and Leadership

Chapter 11: Thou Preparest a Table Before Me in the Presence of Mine Enemies – Moments of Grace in War

Chapter 12: Thou Anointest My Head with Oil; My Cup Runneth Over –

Chapter 13: Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me – Redemption and Second Chances

Chapter 14: And I Will Dwell in the House of the Lord Forever – The Final Homecoming

Epilogue: Walking Through the Fire and Emerging Stronger

Dedication

I dedicate these words to the warriors who fought with arms as well as to those who fought using just their faith.

Those who survived trench warfare as soldiers, mothers who prayed kneeling on the ground, addicts who fought to maintain their sobriety one day at a time, broken hearts that continued to show love despite everything and grieving souls who dared to maintain hope represent the real spirit of human endurance.

Heaven has never abandoned those who the world has forgotten.

This psalm speaks to those who listened to Psalm 23 through suffering instead of peace.

Not in comfort—but in chaos.

Psalm 23 resonates not through stained glass sanctuaries but across spaces like jail cells and hospital rooms, as well as rehab centers, empty bedrooms, and battlefield foxholes.

This book speaks to individuals who journeyed through the valley of death's shadow.

Despite their circumstances, they continued to proclaim, I will fear no evil.

The world’s eyes never witnessed your war experiences.

You battled through wars that Hell expected to defeat you.

Yet here you are.

Still breathing.

Still standing.

Still believing in the Shepherd.

This book is for you.

Introduction:

Embers of the Soul

War. It’s a crucible where the human spirit is tested, shaped, and sometimes shattered. It leaves scars not just on the land but etched into the very being of those who have walked in its shadow. The echoes of battle don’t fade when the guns fall silent. For many, the actual war begins when they return home, a different kind of battlefield—one of memory, healing, and the search for faith.

In the heart of this struggle, Psalm 23 emerges as ancient words and a timeless lifeline. The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.These verses, whispered across generations, have been the compass and courage for warriors, from the soldiers of old to the modern defenders of freedom. They speak of Shepherd’s hand guiding through the darkness, a promise of provision in desolation, and the unwavering truth of protection amidst chaos. Psalm 23 is more than scripture; it reminds us that we are not forsaken, even in the deepest valleys. There is a purpose that burns brighter than the fires of war, a path that leads beyond the shadows, and a hand that reaches down to lift us from despair.

This book is a journey through that landscape. Each chapter will delve into a verse of Psalm 23, not just as words on a page but as a map through the terrains of leadership, provision, endurance, and redemption. We will explore these verses through the eyes of those who have stood in the face of war—some who have crossed the final horizon, some who still carry the weight of their battles, and others who are searching for the elusive peace that seems to slip through their fingers.

Together, we will seek to find green pastures amid destruction’s wasteland, walk through valleys where shadows dance with death, and witness how a table of grace can be laid even when surrounded by enemies. We will seek the comfort of the Shepherd’s rod and staff, discover the profound meaning of blessings that overflow even in times of loss and cling to the unwavering hope of an eternal home in the house of the