From Chaplains to Chaplains
Chaplains Corner
A place for Chaplains to encourage other Chaplains
Maximize your chaplaincy self-care by also engaging with other chaplain’s communication. We hope if you are a volunteer or case worker practicing chaplaincy skills, you may also find encouragement in each Corner Communication.
Read the works of chaplains and/or submit your own words of comfort or encouragement to Living Shield Ministries for review and use in an upcoming Corner Communication.
Corner Communications
Stress of December
Chaplain Lynne writes:
December… is a hard month for many people.
Its holiday stressors, family gatherings that can be difficult, memory triggers that can be hard for those dealing with loss, and then it is compounded because it is the end of one year leading into another. This stimulates thoughts of what went right and what went wrong. Expectations can clash with reality.
Look around you… look within you. Do you see someone hurting, stressed, or hanging on for dear life?
Look for the signs of increased stress…
Lack of sleep, poor eating habits, isolative behavior, use of substances, anxiety statements, irritability and depression.
Someone who can’t meet your eyes, or who just brushes off your inquiries into how they are holding up, may need more support.
What about you, Chaplain? How are you holding up?
Are you being able to be light-hearted, or are you too serious? It is possible to be joyful and serious. You can be both hard-working and worry-free. You were fashioned by a skilled craftsman. You are His workmanship. He made you for both things—to be His child and fully grown. Maturation comes from growing older, but it also comes from walking a hard path… but being resilient, allows joy.
As does surrendering… Surrendering what is not yours to hold on too.
All the pain you witness, affects you. Release it to Him. So, you can be there for them.
What can you let go of now, a responsibility you carry alone, but can share with your Faith Builder?
When you entrust to Him, what you are holding on to, clinging to, if even unwillingly… then your resilience grows, His power grows within, and His peace is deeper plus Hope swells larger.
There are so many people who currently feel like they are barely hanging on. Emotionally, physically, spiritually, mentally. Just figuratively standing on the edge of a cliff. Everywhere you look, people are going through hard things. If you see someone on the edge, by having that peace and hope within you, you can reach out and steady them.
Allow your peace within, your Hope, to enter into their place of hardness. Your words won’t be needed … just your presence. Perhaps it is through a text, or maybe a social media post , phone call, or a letter. Consider a cup of coffee or a meal… or perhaps it is a simple as showing grace, mercy and a smile, or a hug.
It doesn’t matter how you do it. Let the Spirit lead you.
But please reach out, so they know that someone, somewhere, cares enough to be there. It can make their grip last longer and be easier.
Chaplains, reach out to other chaplains as well.
Your faith foundation within, becomes your expression to them. You are the hands and arms on this earth, and there is nothing your creator wants more then to hold them close right now.
Be Love’s “hands and arms” …
Hold on with all your heart, to bring them close to His.
“He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart.” ~ Isaiah 40:11 NLT
Stress of December
Explore common questions about the role of chaplaincy and how to improve these essential skills.
Recognize Stress Symptoms
- Major changes – any major change can reflect increased stress
- Sleep changes – too little or too much
- Appetite Changes – too little or too much
- Mood changes – depression anxiety irritability
- Physical changes –
- High blood pressure
- Muscle tension causing pain increase
- Headaches
- Iritable bowel
Releasing Stress
- Take action on your personal Self-Care Plan
- Engage in enjoyable activities
- Talk with encouraging friends or seek professional support
- Listen to music
- Be outdoors in the fresh air and sunlight
- Exercise safely to build a sweat
- Deep breathing
- Muscle Relaxation/Massage
- Prayer, contemplation on gratefulness, awe of creation
- Build your faith foundation
Building Resilience
- Recognize stressors
- Identify past stressors, how they were overcome
- Identify unreasonable expectations you put on yourself
- Focus on what you know to be your personal Purpose
- Reflect on your personal Self Care Plan
- Develop a plan for future to reduce stress
- Take Action on your plan
- Seek support from others
- Embrace Change
- Ponder gratefulness
- Look for your faith and hope in the midst
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Corner Opportunities
Contribute to the Corner
We are currently collecting one-page encouraging messages to be shared in future editions of the Chaplains Corner. A Living Shield Ministries board member will evaluate the submission and decide when to use it, after communicating back with you.
A Path Forward
At times someone helps us on the path of chaplaincy in an encouraging way. Here is an opportunity to help other chaplains. Consider sponsoring a chaplain you know to attend the School of Chaplaincy.
Add Light to the Corner
Light the way for poor prospective chaplains by contributing to the scholarship fund used by Living Shield Ministries to help educate more chaplains. Help a student start class with a scholarship.
Join the School of Chaplaincy
We are all “works-in-progress”. Take a major step towards enhancing your listening skills and get updated on the latest information for Chaplains. Practice what you’ve learned and/or will learn with others that share the same interest, so you can better share your experiences with your community. Together, we can make a difference.