The Navy Seals

We all know what Navy means, but what about SEALs? Does it refer to those cute animals in Ocean Park that clap their fins when prodded?

There is a brand of watch that proudly claims to be the official watch of the Navy SEALs. There are skin suits and other products that claim to be used by the Navy SEALs. When SEAL Team Six killed Osama Bin Laden, their victory echoed throughout the whole word.

So what does SEALs mean?

SEAL stands for Sea, Air and Land. And SEALs refers to one of the most elite and prestigious fighting units in the world. You’ve probably seen them in movies, since they’re often featured in action/war films.

Donald Trump and Robert Kiyosaki, in their latest book The Midas Touch, talk about how the 2,500 SEALS are trained as the world’s best fighters. Turns out, candidates go through an extremely arduous two-year training program before becoming a SEAL. The process weeds out 75 to 90 percent of those applying.

In a challenge called “down-proofing”, which is a test of will, trainees are bound hand and foot, thrown into deep water, and made to swim 50 meters while still tied up.

But the worst challenge is “Hell Week”, a period where trainees are kept awake for 20 hours a day performing relentless, physically-punishing drills, while constantly being goaded to quit.

If they haven’t quitted yet at the end of “Hell Week”, the trainees are hosed down with freezing cold water to induce hypothermia, and then made to swim for miles through the ocean. After the swim, they’re handed a mug of steaming hot chocolate by an instructor, who would tell them that they may drink it only if they admit failure and drop out of the program. Many SEALs have admitted that handing back that steaming cup of chocolate was the hardest thing they’ve ever done.

Having read about the SEALs qualifying training, I was amazed! I never imagined handing back a cup of steaming hot chocolate would be harder than being thrown into the water with hands and feet bound or being hosed down with freezing water!!!

I realized a parallel to life.

I know a businessman who was a toughie. He had at one time pistol-whipped one of his warehouse men who acted unbecomingly. He uses tough words in his speech. He was big, tall and tough, but says, “I just don’t have the power to quit smoking.” A hunk of a man who’s powerless against a stick of cigarette.

I know other business people who have faced adversities in life – funds shortage, economic crises, resignation of good people, business partners cheating – and were able to bounce back. But these toughened, battle-scarred people couldn’t say “No!” to the enticing smile or the wink from the beauty across the aisle, or those careless whispers promising the thrill of an affair.

The test of will sure is tougher than the test of strength.

Beware of the small moral leaks in our life. Stolen waters aren’t sweet, and you cannot play with fire and expect not to get burnt.

You and I are no Navy SEALs. Still, we should muster the will to say “No!” to steaming cups of temptations around us. The lure of girls, gold and glory are all steamy. But when we stick close to Christ He gives us the power to overcome. So stick close to God and to His Word.

(Click on to www.franciskong.com and send me your feedback or you can also listen to my radio program “Business Matters” aired 8:00a.m. and 6:30 p.m. weekdays over 98.7 dzFE-FM ‘The Master’s Touch’, the classical music station.)