“I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence.” - Psalm 39:1,2

How should we react if we are surrounded by individuals who are intent on provoking us? That scenario is common to those who are victims of “gang-stalking” and other forms of psychological warfare. Have you given thought to the power and practical wisdom of silence? The Psalmist encourages us to put a “muzzle” on our mouth when surrounded by the wicked. In other words, to remain silent, not responding to provocation. Why is that the best possible response? Keeping silent prevents us from saying something in the heat of the moment that we may later regret. Uncontrolled, rash speech can be self-destructive. Indeed, that is the goal of the attacks we endure!

The best way to avoid saying something we may live to regret, is to simply say nothing. We are wasting our words on those who do not have our best interests at heart. Say nothing! Can you see the clear, simple logic in that? A good example in this regard is provided by Jesus Christ. When he was surrounded by false accusers looking for something in his speech to entrap him, note his response: “But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I command you by the living God to tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God!” -Matthew 26:63  Jesus discerned that his enemies were intent on finding something in his own words to entrap him. Knowing that, he simply kept silent. What a fine example!

I am writing these thoughts at 3:30AM, after being awakened by the covert use of acoustic weapons in the adjoining apartment. This is a good time to “watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin!” Rather than dwelling on thoughts that will cause me to become resentful and bitter, my mind is refreshed by focusing on upbuilding, and emotionally healthful ideas such as those contained in the Bible. There is no better way to strengthen my mind for the daily challenges I face!

There is a notable arrogant disregard for even the basic rights of fellowmen that is a constant thread through every act of humiliation, provocation and harassment endured by victims of psychological attacks that include gang-stalking and radiation weapons torture (directed energy weapons). It is hubris; a pleasure taken in the suffering of others. Modern so-called “reality” shows have taught us to enjoy being spectators in the most intimate pain and discomfort of others. When the real-life suffering of others becomes entertainment, it short-circuits the normal empathy we should feel when seeing hardship. That voyeuristic thrill is seen in the video embedded below.

When I first saw this video, it struck me at how accurately it portrays the attitudes I often see in the individuals involved in my persecution. Other victims may see the same. To those who are not victims or find it hard to believe the likelihood of such abuses, this video provides an example of the pervasive spirit that makes such extraordinary abuses possible.

“Know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, self-assuming, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, without gratitude, with no loving-kindness, having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with self-esteem, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power . . .” - 2 Timothy 3:1-4

“There is no challenge in life that is too hard to confront . . .”

In the Himalayan winter, without food or shelter, a human being is not expected to live longer than a week. James Scott, however, lasted 43 days. He survived extreme cold, hunger, isolation and despair, hanging on to the dwindling hope that a search team might find him, or that he could crawl out when the snow thawed. How can those of us who face long term injustices such as radiation weapons torture and “gang stalking” benefit from his lesson in survival?

James was a 22 year-old karate enthusiast, who suddenly became lost in the Himalaya Mountains when a sudden blizzard swept in, hiding his trail. He was in real danger of freezing or starving to death. He recalled having seen people in karate competitions “get slowly ground down, each blow draining them of their spirit, until . . . they became completely defenseless.” He said: “That was how I felt as I zipped up my sleeping bag and feebly ate some snow. My spirit had been crushed and all the will to live had left me. Never had I felt so defeated.”—Lost in the Himalayas.

Isn’t it true that as we face long-term injustices designed to break our will and spirit, it may feel as if we are slowly being ground down and defeated. Nevertheless, despite such seemingly overwhelming challenges, we can learn how to survive relatively intact physically, emotionally, and spiritually until a solution arrives. How? Here are two valuable tips given by survival experts that may benefit victims of ongoing injustice:

The first is to avoid worsening an already difficult situation. “Your strategy,” says The Urban Survival Handbook, “must be to avoid unnecessary risks . . . and minimize the damage caused by those you can’t avoid.” This helps us to see the wisdom of avoiding attitudes or behavior that escalate emotional harm or cause confrontation. Learn to walk away rather than cause needless conflict.

The second—and perhaps the more important—has to do with our attitude. “Survival,” says The SAS Survival Handbook, “is as much a mental attitude as physical endurance and knowledge.”

One important key to survival is maintaining a hopeful and positive outlook. Sometimes there is little you can do to escape the effect of the psychological war waged against you. However, don’t give up; don’t throw in the towel. “It is easy to let yourself go, to collapse and be consumed in self-pity” when exposed to a hostile or dangerous environment, says The SAS Survival Handbook. Do not give in to negative thoughts and emotions. You may be amazed at how much you can endure. “Men and women have shown that they can survive in the most adverse situations,” says the same handbook. How did they do it? They survived, it says, “because of their determination to do so.” Be determined not to be defeated by injustice.

James Scott, mentioned earlier, was eventually rescued from what could have become his Himalayan grave. He said that his struggle to survive had taught him at least one important lesson. What was that? “There is no challenge in life that is too hard to confront,” he said. Tim Macartney-Snape, an experienced mountaineer who was amazed that James Scott was able to survive long enough to be found alive, also drew a lesson. He said: “As long as there is any hint of hope, you must never give up.” So, no matter how dark things may appear to be, you only make matters worse if you lose hope. Never give up hope of rescue.

One more thing that I try to keep in mind:  Our stalkers and attackers take great delight in showing their pleasure at our failings, no matter how minor. If we allow our thinking to be poisoned by their view of us, it will destroy self-esteem. You will have bad days. You will make mistakes. I find the scripture at Proverbs 24:16 to be of great comfort in this regard: “The righteous one may fall even seven times, and he will certainly get up.” Yes, we “may fall,” or make mistakes frequently as we try to cope with our persecution. When that happens, the important thing is that we “get up!” Be determined to recover, learn from your mistakes if necessary and move ahead. Instead of just thinking of yourself as a general failure, pinpoint what you failed at and what caused it. This way you can do better next time. This scripture also shows the need not to take ourselves too seriously. Sometimes, you can laugh at yourself!  We all fail at times. Just be determined to restore a healthy, balanced view of yourself. This will go a long way towards protecting our mental and emotional health.