Have you ever felt like you were battling something invisible? That’s what PTSD feels like for many veterans. It’s a condition that doesn’t fade away when the combat ends—it lingers, quietly shaping our minds and souls. As someone who has personally walked this road, I can tell you that healing from PTSD requires more than just traditional mental health care. It requires a spiritual response—a compassionate, holistic approach considering the body, mind, and soul. Churches, with their unique position in the community and their potential to provide spiritual, emotional, and mental support, especially those in communities with strong ties to the military, can play a critical role in this healing process.
Understanding the Invisible Wounds of War
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is often referred to as the “invisible wound.” For veterans, it’s not just about the traumatic events we experienced during combat—it’s about how those events shaped our sense of identity, faith, and place in the world. Many have felt isolated, misunderstood, and alone after returning home from war. We wrestle not just with memories but with feelings of guilt, shame, and moral injury—questioning how our actions in combat align with our deepest values.
Churches are uniquely positioned to provide the spiritual support veterans need. But they need the right tools, education, and awareness. This is where the research I’ve dedicated myself to comes into play. Over the years, I’ve recognized that many churches lack the resources and understanding to address PTSD effectively. We thank veterans for their service, but what happens after that? Too often, the real struggles go unnoticed.
A Call to Empower Churches
My journey through PTSD, depression, and anxiety led me to the ministry. For years, I kept my battles private, convinced that no one could understand what I was going through. I acknowledged that I had PTSD but didn’t seek treatment, and when the symptoms became outward, people just signed off on it like, “That’s just Kirby being Kirby.” It wasn’t until I exited the military service after 26 years that I began experiencing the trauma that I realized I couldn’t stay silent any longer, and I became extremely risk-tolerant, vigilant, and invisible. I had to confront the reality that many veterans suffer in silence—and I had to do something about myself and this obstacle.
The focus of this series of blogs is to empower others but also churches to recognize and respond to veterans who have PTSD. These are not just isolated individuals—our brothers and sisters in Christ, sitting in the pews beside us, struggling to reconcile their faith with the experiences they’ve endured. They need more than just well wishes—they need a community equipped to provide spiritual, emotional, and mental support.
The Church’s Role in Healing
Churches are meant to be sanctuaries, places of healing and restoration. But too often, we fail to extend that healing to those struggling with mental health, particularly veterans. The Bible teaches us about restoration and the power of God’s love to heal even the deepest wounds. This is where churches can step in—with prayers and tangible, practical programs designed to support veterans.
I’ve read about models that help churches build health ministries specifically designed to address PTSD. The goal is to educate pastors and congregations about the impacts of PTSD and to create a safe, supportive environment where veterans can feel understood and cared for. The models focus on training church leaders to recognize the signs of PTSD, offering spiritual guidance alongside referrals to professional mental health services, and fostering a compassionate, supportive community for veterans. Everyone wants to start a nonprofit and help veterans, and there are many of them out there, but most don’t empower the local church; they pull resources, or they place veterans in temporary or short-term remote locations and then turn them back into society with no long-term plan or support.
My Journey with PTSD
The journey to this point hasn’t been easy. I’ve dealt with the scars of military service and childhood trauma. But through it all, I’ve found that faith and community are powerful tools in the healing process.
For me, the turning point came when I realized that I couldn’t just rely on the military or medical professionals to fix me. I had to confront the spiritual dimension of my trauma. I had to find peace not just in my mind but in my soul. And that’s where the church comes in. I built my own Christian community that has provided the space for me to be vulnerable, share my struggles, and begin the healing process.
But not every veteran has that opportunity or ability in their state to do this. Many veterans don’t feel comfortable reaching out for help, especially in church settings where mental health issues are often misunderstood or stigmatized. That’s why it’s so important for churches to be proactive in their outreach, creating environments where veterans feel safe to share their experiences and seek healing.
Moving Forward: How Churches Can Take Action
It’s time for churches to step up and be the support system that veterans need. Here are a few steps that can help make a difference:
- Educate Yourself and Your Congregation: Start by learning about PTSD and its impact on veterans. This understanding will lay the foundation for empathy and support. Training programs and workshops are great ways to equip church leaders and members with the necessary knowledge.
- Establish a Health Ministry: Churches can establish health ministries explicitly addressing mental health issues like PTSD. These ministries can provide spiritual care, connect veterans with mental health resources, and foster a support community.
- Create Safe Spaces for Conversations: Veterans need a place to discuss their struggles without fear of judgment. Churches can offer support groups, counseling sessions, or a listening ear.
- Collaborate with Mental Health Professionals: Spiritual care is vital, but it must complement professional mental health services. Churches should partner with counselors, therapists, and VA programs to ensure veterans receive comprehensive care. This collaboration is not just beneficial; it’s necessary for the holistic healing of our veterans.
Conclusion: A Holistic Approach to Healing
As I reflect on my journey and the struggles of so many veterans like me, I see the church as a crucial piece of the puzzle in healing from PTSD. It’s not just about saying, “Thank you for your service.” It’s about recognizing the ongoing battles veterans face long after they leave the battlefield. It’s about providing them with the spiritual, emotional, and mental tools they need to rebuild their lives.
This work will be challenging and will only happen after a while. But with commitment, compassion, and faith, churches can become sanctuaries for worship and healing. We can show veterans that they are not alone, that their struggles are seen, and that there is hope for restoration.
We have the blueprint. Now it’s time to act.
Call to Action
If you’re part of a church community, now is the time to make a difference. Begin by educating yourself and your congregation about PTSD. Reach out to veterans in your community and let them know they’re not alone. Consider starting or enhancing a health ministry at your church to provide the support our veterans need and deserve.