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 225 - Wrestling with God in Grief with John Onwuchekwa
Episode 224 - Redemption Out of the Dust with Chris and Steph Teague
Episode 223 - Healing from the Hurt of Purity Culture
Episode 222 - Making Today Count with Liset Navas
Episode 221 - Finding Beauty in the Valley of Miscarriage with Abbey Wedgeworth
Episode 220 - Life Is a Vapor with Micah McElveen
Episode 219 - Wrestling through the Emotions of Job Loss with Dale Kreienkamp
Episode 218 - Learning to Depend on God after Loss with Lisa Appelo
Episode 217 - Holding onto Hope in the Midst of War with Yuriy and Madison Perekotiy
Episode 216 - How to Heal Our Racial Divide with Derwin Gray
Episode 215 - The Path Out of Loneliness with Dr. Mark Mayfield
Episode 214 - Happiness is Down Syndrome with Misty Snyder
Episode 213 - Experiencing God’s Breakthroughs in Infertility and Miscarriage with Traci McCombs
Episode 212 - Walking with Grief with Clarissa Moll
Episode 211 - Learning to Lean into our Pain with Jackie Hill Perry
Episode 210 - Speaking Up Against Abuse of Power with Tiffany Bluhm
Episode 209 - Finding Passion and Purpose in Pain with Jesse Bradley
Episode 208 - Catherine McNiel
Episode 207 - Curt Thompson
Episode 205 - Brittany Tinsley
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