As a First Responder you have willingly signed up to put your life on the line for your family and community. You have spent years protecting and serving your family, community and your country. Now you are wondering, “What for?”
When you chose this career, you were going to make an impact. You wanted to improve the quality of life and future for your wife, kids and your community. You may have even considered the potential kingdom impact as a Christian living out your faith through your service.
But you have found yourself in a place where you are not appreciated by the community you serve, and you are undervalued by your supervisors.
To make matters worse you go home to a cold and distant wife who doesn’t appreciate your commitment either. She is constantly arguing and has become resentful, saying you are constantly serving the community but don’t care about her, your kids or your home.
You tell her you are providing for the family, and she should be more appreciative that you are willing to put your life on the line for her and your kids to have everything they have…
Of course, this leads to another blow up or worse, she shuts down because she too tired of fighting with you as the distance between you continues to grow.
Your marriage isn’t the last of it though.
You spend so much time serving others you have neglected yourself. You are overweight and weak from not working out. You probably don’t even remember the last time you had a good workout, let alone any workout. Your joints and muscles are stiff and sore from the hours you spend sitting. Not to mention the amount of gear you carry. It’s hard to even stand up sometimes.
This only leads to more stress as you are already ashamed and depressed because you can’t fix your marriage. Plus, you feel guilty for not spending more time with your kids.
But you do a good job hiding it around your colleagues because you will be damned if they see any signs of weakness in you. When the truth is they are simply unwilling to admit their pain and problems.
All of this is leading you to feel no sense of purpose for your work or your life.
When you started as a first responder you had purpose, energy and desire.
That is all but gone at this point with little hope to recover any sense of purpose or desire in life. You don’t even know who you are anymore. You know what profession you are in but really, Who are you?
You have spent years protecting and serving your family, community, and maybe even the country. Now you are wondering. “What for?”
First, let me tell you that you are not alone. This was me not too long ago.
Secondly, this may sound like your current situation, but it doesn’t have to be your future.
But let’s be honest, if you continue down your current path you probably won’t have a wife, but you might get more time with your kids as you are shuttling them to and from your ex-wife’s new place.
Or you can take control of your life, start being the husband and father your wife and kids want and need.
Ready to take your life back?
Join me in the Free training, “Responding to the Call: How First Responders Can Lead and Win at Home and at Work.”