Men of Iron Podcast

From PTSD to Purpose: Zack’s Story of Faith and Restoration | EP. 243

“I knew I wasn’t going to be around much longer if something didn’t change.” – Zack

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Chad hosts this episode of “The Restoration Series,” as we hear Zack’s powerful story of transformation from a life of despair and selfishness to faith and restoration. Growing up in Arizona with a single mom who avoided religion, Zack left home at 18 to join the military. After two tours in Afghanistan, he returned home struggling with PTSD and wanting to end his life. “The one time was really bad, I was sitting in a tub with a gun to my head and couldn’t pull the trigger.” In a moment of desperation, Zack sought answers from any religion he could find before his wife gifted him his first Bible. Zack knew if something didn’t change he wasn’t going to be around much longer. Through a business meeting, Zack met Dan and their conversation quickly turned to God. It was this life-changing conversation with Dan that would put Zack on a new trajectory. Weeks later an encounter with the Holy Spirit changed EVERYTHING. Zack prayed his first prayer to God in his kitchen and dropped to his knees. “Looking back I know it was an encounter with the Holy Spirit, I felt all of my sin lifted off of my shoulders.”

Now, Zack mentors other men, shares his faith with non-believers, and has even led family members to Christ. His faith journey has also strengthened his marriage, which had been strained by past mistakes. “Knowing what God did for me in such a dark spot, I know he can do it for other people.”

This 5-part series gives us a glimpse into the lives of 5 different men and their stories of restoration. Stay tuned for the another story of restoration next week!

If you are looking to take the next step in your faith journey, let us be a resource for you, contact us today – menofiron.org/contact-us

Regardless of where you are in your journey, we have the tools and experiences for you. We provide one-to-one coaching, small group, and retreat curriculum. To know God is an adventure, and we are calling all men to conquer the mountain ahead of us. Men, it’s time to climb! >>> MENOFIRON.ORG/THECLIMB

SHOW NOTES:

Today Chad is on the pod as we continue”The Restoration Series”
This 5-part series gives us a glimpse into the lives of 5 different men and their stories of restoration
This week we sit down with Zack as he shares his story of restoration from suicide attempts to an encounter with the Holy Spirit
Zack grew up in Arizona to a single mom with four kids who steered clear of anything religious
He ended up leaving home at 18 and joining the military
Before coming to know the Lord Zack was a selfish person, it was all about him
After coming to know God everything changed
After two tours in Afghanistan, Zack came home and struggled with PTSD and wanted to end his life
“I almost took my own life on multiple occasions.”
“The one time was really bad, I was sitting in a tub with a gun to my head and couldn’t pull the trigger.”
Zack looked everywhere for answers, the Quran, Buddism.
“It was my wife who bought me my first Bible, the King James Version.”
“I knew I wasn’t going to be around much longer if something didn’t change.”
Through a business meeting, Zack met Dan and Dan asked him where he stood religiously
It was a sit down with Dan that would put Zack on a new trajectory
“Dan has been such a huge part of my life, we meet and study the Bible together regularly”
Weeks later an encounter with the Holy Spirit changed EVERYTHING
Zack prayed his first prayer to God in his kitchen and dropped to his knees
“Looking back I know it was an encounter with the Holy Spirit, I felt all of my sin lifted off of my shoulders.”
Knowing what God did for me in such a dark spot, I know he can do it for other people
Zack now mentors other men, other non-believers, because of what Dan did for him
Zack is now leading others to know Jesus, including members of his family
And since coming to know the Lord his marriage has become rock solid
“Our first six years of marriage were so hard, I committed adultery, I was a terrible person.”
“It’s amazing to see how God can move and use you to impact others.”
The spiritual disciplines in Zack’s life are essential to his faith journey – reading his Bible and prayer
Because of Zack’s faith in God a recent cancer diagnosis didn’t shake him or scare him
“I knew that it was happening for a reason, God’s going to use my story the way He wants to.”
God is always working and God is always restoring, stay tuned for the next story of restoration next week
Men, you cannot do this on your own. Let us be a resource for you, contact us today
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