WARNING: This episode contains conversations about suicide ideation and may not be suitable for all listeners/viewers.
The statistics are staggering: twenty-two veterans die by suicide a day. After years of serving in the Army, Fernando Arroyo almost became one of those twenty-two when the pain of his experience in the military made him want to end his life.
Finding hope and healing in the aftermath of war and post-traumatic stress was no easy task. The transition from a life full of meaning and purpose as a Paratrooper in the Army into the civilian sector was difficult for Fernando. He went from having a tight knit community, a brotherhood, with a common mission into a life where he felt alone and without purpose. That pain began to build as he was reminded of his past and eventually, he found himself on his couch with a gun, ready to end his life when the Lord miraculously intervened. From there, he found restored hope once he began to be open and honest about his struggles. Through sharing his story and what he was walking through, a newfound purpose emerged as he found other veterans who needed understanding and help in their own journey. Now, Fernando serves veterans at Step Forward Academy, helping them through the transition from military to civilian life and has recently written a book chronicling his journey called, The Shadow of Death: From My Battles in Fallujah to the Battle for My Soul.
In this special Veteran's Day episode, Davey and Fernando talk about the difficulty for veterans to transition out of the military into the civilian world, the powerful impact that can come when we share our story, and the importance of community in our lives and our healing.
Whether you are a veteran or not, this conversation will help you walk with others through the most painful parts of their stories and encourage you in sharing your own.
Website: https://www.paratrooperarroyo.com/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/paratrooper_arroyo
FB: Fernando Arroyo- https://www.facebook.com/fernando.arroyo.37266
Twitter: www.twitter.com/airbornenando
Book: The Shadow of Death: From My Battles in Fallujah to the Battle for My Soul
Register now for our next masterclass Hope for the Holidays: Navigating the Season When It Hurts with NIW certified coach Amy Sylvestre on Thursday, November, 10th at 8pm EST: www.nothingiswasted.com/masterclass
Are you ready to take back your health and learn about holistic living the way God intended? Join Kristi Blackburn as she takes you Back to the Garden in her live, 8 week online wellness course where you'll gain practical tools to help you on your journey towards wholeness and health. Learn more at: www.linenandroots.com/course
Want to get started in your pain to purpose journey? Check out our free 5 Steps to Taking Back Your Story Webinar that can help you no matter what you have been through: www.nothingiswasted.com/starthere
Episode 245 - Special Release: Trial Update Part 1 with Davey Blackburn
Episode 244 - When Everything Changes with Kelli Campbell-Goodnow
Episode 243 - Making Your History Your Ally Instead of Your Enemy with Blake Williams
Episode 242 - Growing Our Soul Through Loss with Jerry Sittser
Episode 241 - Learning from Leadership Pain with Glenn Burris
Episode 240 - Making Your Way through the Seasons of Loss with Laura Hao
Episode 239 - Meeting God in the Messiness of Grief with Esther Lee
Episode 238 - Healing Childhood Trauma through Horses with Kim Tschirret
Episode 237 - Finding Faith After a National Tragedy with Christina Stanton
Episode 236 - Seeing Your Significance in Singleness with Mandy Hale
Episode 235 - The Heartbreak and the Healing with Blanca
Episode 234 - Seeing Beauty in the Darkest Days with Colleen Chao
Episode 233 - Getting Unstuck in Grief with September Vaudrey
Episode 232 - Learning to Connect with God in the Unexplainable with Emmanuel and Adrienne Threatt
Episode 231 - Finding Perspective in the Unexpected with Kelley Scites
Episode 230 - God’s Sovereignty in Our Darkest Moments with Greg and Cathy Buffkin
Episode 229 - Building Resilience in the Face of Adversity with Dr. Danisha Keating
Episode 228 - Choosing Joy in Chronic Pain and Painful Circumstances with Lindsey Wheeler
Episode 227 - The Antidote to Fear with Katie Piazza
Episode 226 - Grieving What Never Was with Megan Smalley
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