Chaplain Lynne writes:

As a person faces difficulty and crisis, their brain initiates activities that help their body to feel safe. Feeling safe becomes the brains priority.

What can a Chaplain do to help a person feel safe?

Words can’t really feel the void to help a person feel safe, to help them deescalate all of the emotion swirling within.  Except…  the words “I am here for you.”

It is really your presence that makes a difference.

Everyone wants to be seen, to be heard and their pain acknowledged. It is a human need. Tragedy strips a person of a sense of dignity and of hope.   Stepping into the support role of being present in their darkest moment, helps them to feel safety in the midst of chaos. You can be a type of anchor for them. Peace filled, calm, organized, focused on basic needs and next steps. There is a sense of safety in someone offering you a warm blanket, a bottle of water or moving you to a safer location.  It is a recognition of their physical wellbeing and inner person in the midst of the pain that steady’s the lurching of the world about them.  It is your physical presence, as well as your focused attention to them. You become a calming and strengthening influence.  As you walk them through the process of sharing their thoughts and emotions, of developing their next steps plans and linking them to resources to support them now and later, your presence facilitates these necessary steps.

As a Chaplain, the start of a new year provides an opportunity to identify ways that we can implement a self-care plan, that aids in providing an effective presence for the individuals we serve.

The demand for chaplains is significant. Many feel overwhelmed by constant pressures, leaving little time to focus on self-care. What we have learned and observed is that experiencing compassion fatigue or burnout makes us particularly vulnerable. It creates a breeding ground for mistakes, which unfortunately are usually made deepest in our personal lives. We teach that Stress can affect us in five key areas: physical, cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and spiritual. Vulnerability can lead to poor decision-making that doesn’t align with our values or mission as chaplains. When we let our guard down, heightened cortisol levels and a strong need for relief may drive us into risky and uncomfortable situations.

What are you doing to be “Present” for yourself?  Are you aware of your stressors?  Are you setting boundaries that preserve your sense of safety and care? Are you maintaining that presence in a way that is healthy?  Are you rooted and grounded in your faith, regularly participating in faith-based growth?

What action steps are you taking today to work on a tactical plan for self-care? Tactical implies with a designed intent, goal and outcome. What is your intent? What is your goal? What is the desired outcome? A strong, steady, calm, peaceful presence, aids in fulfilling our purpose in creating a sense of safety for those in crisis.

Blessings, Chaplain Lynne

 (please click here to go to comments to add prayer request)

“As for God, His way is perfect: The Lord’s Word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in Him.” ~ Psalm 18:30