During his 27 years in uniform, Steve had never let failure get the best of him.

But failing to end his life? That was a failure he never thought he’d recover from.

While in the service, Steve was at the top of his game. He had a home and a place where he not only fit in but excelled. Others looked up to him. Steve served proudly and unapologetically, knowing he was making a difference and part of something bigger than himself.

When he decided to retire his uniform, Steve felt excited to enter the civilian world.

He looked forward to launching a business, joining a church, giving back to his community, and setting an example as a pillar of society.

Of course, the transition into civilian life would be a challenge. He was sure of that. But he had tackled all sorts of challenges in his career and had come out the other side a stronger person. He believed he had what it took to navigate this one with success.

Steve had never let failure get the best of him.

But the transition didn’t go as planned. He faced roadblock after roadblock, failure after failure. Soon he felt utterly lost with no hope of finding his way again.

He began to question his worth. “Capable” and “qualified” no longer had a place in his mental vocabulary. Instead, they were replaced by words like inept and unable, inadequate and unnecessary.

After six years of struggling, Steve lost the will to go on. 

In a moment of despair, he tried ending his own life. 

He survived. But in his mind, it represented one more failure. That moment of turmoil stretched into a year of total despair.

He felt utterly lost with no hope of finding his way again.

By sheer chance, Steve came across “The Secret to Contentment,” a video from Your Move with Andy Stanley. 

Andy spoke about what happens when we compare ourselves to others who appear happier, more successful, or further along. Chasing after “more,” he said, only leads to exhaustion: spiritually, emotionally, and relationally.

“Envy rots the bones,” he said, quoting “the wisest man who ever lived, Solomon—who had it all, done it all, been-there-done-that.” 

Then Andy offered this reminder from Romans 8:28: “You are called according to God’s purpose.”

The words sank deep into Steve’s despair. He felt as if they were spoken just for him. He started to weep—and couldn’t stop.

“Your life is too short and your time is too valuable for you to waste any of it,” Andy said. “Don’t miss the life God has for you.”

“You are called according to God’s purpose.”

Steve rewatched the video several times, weeping uncontrollably at the reminder that his life has God-given purpose.

For the first time in years, Steve felt a stirring of hope for the adventure God had waiting for him. 

Uncertain of the path ahead, Steve committed to trust God to guide him as he rediscovered his purpose. “I’ll give life another try,” he said, ready to embrace whatever lay ahead.