With the recent developments of war gripping Ukraine, and the Middle East, what should be the mental disciplines needed for those “sent ones” called to minister in such areas of turmoil –especially those who choose to stay on the field? How does one minister long term, and not suffer burnout or PTSD? Most “sent ones” stay on the battlefield much longer than military personnel! To engage this is not only a physical endeavour, but I would like to address the cognitive, spiritual discipline required. Here are four biblical concepts that work, for anyone going through long term stress, or grief of any kind.
First, I learned that change/grief/loss are all the same thing. Naturally, anxiety comes from not having solutions. During changes of seasons, or facing war, we lose control, maybe lose a role in ministry, a loved one, or need to leave our country of service. It may mean suddenly abandoning our houses, cars or pets. Infrastructures collapse. Our needs are the same, but the resources we depended on have disappeared. The resultant cyclical problem solving mimics crisis itself, and is an understandable shock.
The good news is that when the former resources upon which we relied are absent, God provides new spiritual resources and answers at each stage of change (Matt 6:8, Psa 10:4). But the brain is neuroplastic and needs time to readjust, and sort these things out. So it’s important to be gentle with oneself in the process of grief and change, and practice being patiently comfortable without a solution. We can still relax, and practice faith during transition. When God lets this happen, He is taking us to a new maturity level.
Second, PTSD is simply “a fear of a fear” and we can be stress inoculated against it. Trauma is largely about perception. For example, when a drone attacks, we are afraid, but in addition, we fear it anticipating the future. We can discipline ourselves to not create a future scenario that is necessarily bad. Additionally, some cultures actually celebrate victimhood, and there is a temptation to emulate them. So, just like getting immunized against measles, for example, a person can learn to become stress inoculated. Overcoming PTSD is based on increased exposure to the trauma, and dwelling on truthful thought habits long term. It is vital to think truthful thoughts in times of stress. Facing war the first time by hearing sirens wailing, explosions, and running to shelters causes hyper vigilance. Then we face the aftermath of losing friends, attending funerals, or being threatened with prolonged isolation. We learn procedure and new resources, and find ways of adapting. One can decide not to choose fear, practicing faith over the long term. But fear is contagious. In fact, I think most PSTD comes from observing the response by others to violence and suffering. This is where our calling comes in, when the worst things happen. We inevitably lose our grip in the moment, but God is our confidence to get us through long term:
Prov 3:25: Do not be afraid of sudden fear (PTSD), neither of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes, for the LORD will be your confidence and he will keep your foot from being caught.
Third, it is necessary to practice consistency over intensity, even in times of war. For example the active businessman never became aware of ways to plan a retreat while still working, and collapses in retirement. The adrenal system stays on all the time and reacts in crisis mode. Anyone over 40 knows that they can’t operate with the intensity of our young soldiers sent to the battlefield, because their strong bodies can maintain these periods of adrenaline.
Therefore, it’s incumbent on us to form habits of consistency, instead of intensity. Building routine both in our thinking and physical habits. When our familiar coping skills do not help us solve our problems, it becomes burnout. This cyclical pattern of unresolved and unrestrained problem solving results in never achieving rest. So how can we find rest?
Fourth, rest is yet another, different form of spiritual warfare. Many of us swing the pendulum from too much emotional energy, to too little. The tyranny of the urgent crowds out God’s voice to rest in Him emotionally. How do we find our optimum balance points? We want to achieve a pattern of closure while we are in the midst of our problems. Here is another way of seeing God’s Word on this, by application:
Isa 30:15: For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said, “In repentance and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength.”
Therefore, this other form of mental warfare of “resting” consists in the thought choice to not argue it, not engage it, not solve it, but rather resting in the midst of having no solution. By leaning on Him, eventually we will receive the answer, and we shall yet praise Him (Psa 42:11). We can patiently wait until that happens, and choose to stop the cycle of problem solving beyond our control.
In conclusion, as “sent ones” return from the battle field to their passport country, it’s so important for their supporters to understand all that they have endured, and to take an interest to help them decompress. For example, after a deployment in the regular military, soldiers are sent with their units to a neutral place for a few weeks, (such as Cyprus, after the war in Afghanistan). Decompression enables “sent ones” to readjust to a normal life, and process their thinking, so that they can equip the churches with all the things they have learned. It is my hope that sending churches will care enough for their “sent ones” to repatriate them back into their passport culture, with understanding, and by not imposing on them their views of war gleaned from the media. We are not victims, but rather victors in Christ!
by: Susan S. ~ Mediterranean
