Tag Archives: diabetes

019 – 3 Barriers to Healing & Tips to Knock Them Down!

It may be important to understand barriers; but we do not need to focus on them.  Instead, we can focus on positive actions we can take to overcome the barrios.

Stuart Miles FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Stuart Miles FreeDigitalPhotos.netIt may be important to understand barriers; but we do not need to focus on them.  Instead, we can focus on positive actions we can take to overcome the barrios.

In this episode we will discuss: (Note: topics are not necessarily in this order.)

  • Barriers to healing
  • Tips to overcome these barriers
  • My 7 Day Green Juice Fast
  • Principals learned from dealing with diabetes that can also help me deal with PTSD

7 Day Green Juice Fast: Cucumbers, celery, kale and all their friends.

  • Why?
  • Diagnosed with diabetes about 6 years ago
  • Not obese
  • I tried to control with diet and oral medication; but nothing seemed to work well enough.
  • Started experiencing diabetic complication (eyes, feet and heart attack)
  • Started using insulin a couple of months ago

Expectations

Our mindset is important.  Do we see PTSD as something that can be dealt with?  Do we see it as something that can and will bet better?

 “While some people do suffer from full-blown PTSD, most cases are mild. What often occurs is that a doctor tells a patient that his symptoms look like PTSD, and that diagnosis impacts that person right between the eyes as if he were told he had cancer. Well, it is not like cancer; it is more look like PTSD, and that diagnosis impacts that person right between the eyes as if he were told he had cancer. Well, it is not like cancer; it is more like being overweight. If you weigh 30 pounds more than you should, those extra pounds, while tiring to lug around, are probably not life threatening.”

Grossman, Dave; Christensen, Loren W. On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and Peace (Kindle Locations 6690-6693). Human Factor Research Group, Inc..

“It is important that you bring the issue into perspective and think of it more along the lines of being overweight than being stricken with cancer and all that that means. Put it in perspective and make peace with the memory.”

Grossman, Dave; Christensen, Loren W. On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and Peace (Kindle Locations 6697-6699). Human Factor Research Group, Inc..

If we do not expect to succeed, or get better, we are not likely to even try.

Knocking down the negative expiration barrier:

  • Listing to others.  What worked for them may not work for us…but it might.
  • Stepping out in faith-even if we do not see the improvement at the moment.  Allow time for small things to add up to bigger changes.
  • Changing our mindset.  Philippians 4:8

Desire

Asking ourselves some difficult questions:

  • Do we really what to get better?
  • What does it cost to get better?  I am not specifically referring to money.
  • What are you willing to pay?
  • What are you willing to do to get better?
  • What are you willing to do to get 1% better?

Fear

What if I try and do not get better.  Other people have gotten better.  What does that say about me if I try and do not get better?  In fact, some people fear getting partially better and losing their disability check.

Knocking down the fear barrier:

  • Listing to the stories of how other people have overcome adversity.
  • Beginning to trust.
  • Stepping out in faith.

Discussion Questions:

What do you think about Dr. Grossman comparing comparison for dealing with PTSD?  Is it more like losing weight or having cancer?

rss subscribechicklet_itunes

Struggling with Physical, Psychological, Spiritual Pain

BW Soldier Hand on face(In this post I share a bit of my personal struggles in the hope that it will encourage those in need to press on in their journey.  Struggling is a normal part of our human existence. We can grow and overcome obstetrical.  You do not have to do it alone. Peace, David Fell)

I have experienced physical pain and struggles as a result of the war in Iraq.  I have also experience emotional and psychological pain as a result of the same war.  Both are extremely difficult to handle; and keep handling day after day. 

The psychological/emotional has the added difficulty as they deal with the brain and mind—areas that are still taboo for many in our society.  This kind of wound may not be visible to the naked eye.  Nevertheless, they are just as real and just as physical as the physical struggles I experience in my lungs and elsewhere in my body.

Struggles, even pain, has been a part of my spiritual journey.  One aspect (among many) of this struggle is facing the difficult questions of believing in a good God and yet facing such evil, apparent injustice and destruction.  I know some convincing philosophical and theological answers to these questions. At times these intellectual answers prove to be little comfort.  At the same time I have experienced a peace that goes beyond comprehension.

No quick fix:  The doctors tell me that there is no solution for my lung problem—nor any effective treatment at the time.  For some of the other physical problems (diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, cataracts, neuropathy…) there are treatments, some unpleasant, tedious and burdensome; but treatment to limit and slow future damage.  Yet it is hard to not be at least a little peeved that all these problems showed up when I was young and having lived a healthy lifestyle and maintaining a healthy weigh.

There has been some help for the nightmares, anxiety and other aspect of the psychological struggles (Post-Traumatic Stress).  I say some because there is a long way to go.  I have found many things that were of limited benefit toward recovery and growth. Some of these things that did not help me are helpful to others.  Even those “failed” attempts have been helpful in helping my understanding and ability to assist others on the journey. 

The Hope and Restoration Team (HART) understands struggles, endurance, and pressing forward.  There are unique aspects to each of our struggles.  As such, no one can completely understand what you are facing.  Nevertheless, we do understand struggles that involve the physical, psychological and spiritual.

You can help those in need!  Here are several options: Liking our Facebook page.  Share this blog and podcast! Organize a RESTORE seminar for your company, organization, church, civic group.  Share your story.  We are looking for people willing to share their stories of facing difficult life challenges on different kinds on our Podcast:Healing The Wounds of War: Hope & Restoration for PTSD”.  For any of the above, contact me at david@HealingTheWoundsOFWar.com.

How can we serve you?