Rediscovering Purpose as a Public ServantSample

It's no secret that many of us who work in certain fields have experienced traumatic situations that can deeply affect us. These experiences may come back to us at unexpected times, causing distractions or even extreme emotions like anger or depression. In addition, there are situations that we may not even realize were traumatic at the time because we had to move on to the next task without processing what had just happened. It's important to acknowledge and address the impact these experiences have on our mental health.

We MUST be willing to talk about it.

Therapy is a word that is often considered taboo in our profession. Many people fear that seeking therapy will make them appear weak and bring a negative stigma upon them. As a result, we feel the need to maintain a tough exterior and not show any signs of vulnerability. We want others to believe that we have everything under control and that nothing can break us. This is FAR from the truth.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV) says:

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

First, we must humble ourselves before the Lord and ask for His help with our burdens. We need to be willing to surrender our worries and place them at His feet. This will enable us to seek His plan and purpose for our lives during these challenging times, keeping in mind that even though He may renew us spiritually and bless us with His peace, we must also be willing to listen for His guidance. It's important to understand that if we pray for healing, it may not occur right away. He may be providing us an opportunity to speak with someone, whether that be a friend, family member, small group member, or a professional.

Today, we encourage you to reach out to a close friend, family member, or colleague and invite them to join you for coffee or a meal. Be open with them about any difficulties you may be facing. You’ll be surprised by the healing that will come with just one honest conversation.