There is hope after PTSD, the fire that tries to destroy us can be fuel for a new life.
As Iraq falls, souls crumble. That is what I was thinking last week as ISIS overran northern Iraq. I was getting ready to hit the road for Wisconsin where I would be speaking to veterans benefits and services counselors from colleges across Wisconsin, but all I could think about was Iraq and the men and women who served there.
Souls crumble. I received desperate messages from veterans struggling with PTSD that day asking, why, what was it all for? It reminded me that the busiest day the Red Cross ever had responding to calls from distressed veterans and their families was the day we officially pulled out of Iraq and took our flag down. When you have lived in hell, and carefully constructed a black box to store all of the things you wished you could forget, events like this can open the box and send a storm of emotions flooding your way. The desperation of PTSD is a flood from hell.
The desperation of PTSD is also a hurricane. Even in the calm, you know the storm is all around you and it is only a matter of time before you are battered again. It wears you out, breaks you down, and can leave you hopeless. But I’m here to tell you, there is hope. You can ride out the storm and swim again. I did, I’ve seen others do it, if you are breathing there is hope.
Here is a short video I did some time ago about finding hope in our brokenness. If you know someone facing the desperation of PTSD you need to watch this. If you are facing the desperation of PTSD yourself, you need to watch this. It is only a few minutes long and might help turn a light on. At a minimum, you can see the face of someone who cares about you and wants to see you overcome your pain and live free.
Please share with someone you know is looking for hope.
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