Word to my Soldiers The Herd of Pink Elephants If suicide is the single pink elephant in the room, moral injury is the herd of pink elephants. The culture of silence that keeps many service members from sounding off about suicidal thoughts is multiplied to infinity by the code of silence surrounding moral injury. In my civilian work with Armed Forces Mission we are now attempting to address the problem of moral injury associated with seeing or doing that which violates ones personal moral code resulting in loss of self-worth and in many cases life itself through self-inflicted harm. As an Army Chaplain and ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills) Trainer I believe 100% in the program of training others in suicide intervention. I have heard many stories from participants who have been able to successfully intervene for those at risk. However, I have also come to the conclusion that there is a great need for exploration on the subject of moral injury in both clinical and community settings, without which, intervention is incomplete and for many of those at risk, ineffective. When a soldier participates in or is witness to cruel and inhumane activities and does nothing the moral code is shattered. The silence only adds to the shame; the spirit and life withers away which can often lead to an inability to live with one’s self. Addressing the issue of moral injury is a difficult task. However, what I find interesting is the less than optimistic thought among some professionals that addressing moral failure will not save lives. While the concept of moral injury is just now coming into discussion within the VA and the DOD, the Bible speaks often of individuals who had morally failed and yet they found redemption and peace. King David was one such individual. In addition to all his other sins, he was guilty of war crimes, by having one of his most loyal soldiers intentionally placed in a position to be killed in order to cover his affair with the soldier’s wife. When the prophet Nathan confronted him with his crime (sin) David came face to face with the reality of what he had done. Through confession and repentance his heart was restored. I encourage you to take a moment to read Psalm 51 which was his response to God for his goodness and forgiveness. There is not a single human being on the face of the earth who is morally perfect. We are all frail human beings subject to failure. My encouragement to you today is this…no matter who you are or what you have done that is eating at your soul today and sapping the life out of you, YOU can be restored. There is hope and forgiveness available to all who confess and repent. You may not believe it. You may feel like you deserve to be miserable and that is just the way it is. STOP. Don’t go down the road anymore. This is whole meaning of repentance. I was going one, but now by the grace of God I am going to go another way. THERE IS LIFE FOR THOSE WHO RECEIVE IT. That’s why it is called a gift. Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving! Chaplain Kenneth Koon
Posted on: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 02:25:02 +0000
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