Freedom
Don’t Let Trauma Steal It
Located on Freedom Island in Upper New York Bay and recognized internationally, the Statue of Liberty has become the beacon of freedom. Gifted to the United States by France’s people and dedicated on October 28, 1886, the Statue of Liberty remains the universal symbol of freedom, democracy, justice, and hope for millions of immigrants seeking opportunity in America.
The Bill of Rights is the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution. It spells out Americans’ rights about their government. It guarantees civil rights and liberties to the individual—like freedom of speech, press, and religion.[1]
16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil;
live as God’s slaves.
17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
1 Peter 2:16-17 NIV
Whether it be a statue, a symbol, or a document, people’s liberties are given to them by the government.
The Oxford Languages defines freedom as the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. Liberty is the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one’s way of life, behavior, or political views.
It is well known that freedom is not free. Many American Military Warriors have died securing and maintaining the freedoms we enjoy. Since the Revolutionary War, and not including the Global War on Terror (2001 to Present), the Veterans Administration reports 651,031 U.S. combat deaths.[2]
The day to day freedoms we enjoy in our communities are protected by our Law Enforcement Officers. Daily, these officers protect us from the crime and tyranny that occurs in our neighborhoods. They fight against the domestic groups that wish to destroy and overthrow our cities and our way of life. Their protection provides us with a sense of safety.
These officers see the worst in our society, and they bear the emotional scars to prove it. They are absorbed with anger, fear, anxiety, and depression. They suppress their emotions and may self-medicate with alcohol or drugs. Over time these officers may become overly cynical, sleep-deprived; they may develop Post Traumatic Stress injury, all leading to spiritual slavery, self-destruction, and suicidal ideation. They may chase wealth, success, personal comfort, and engage in dangerous thrill-seeking activities, to fill the emptiness in their soul.
While the government may suspend or take away our governmental freedoms, trauma will steal our liberties and souls. Trauma, which is a by-product of sin, can affect anyone and has been around since Adam and Eve turned away from the safety and freedom given to them by God.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1 NIV
The freedom given to us by man is not the Freedom promised to us by Jesus. Jesus provides us a way to walk in a relationship with God, be healed by God, have peace through God, and regain the Freedom that trauma stole from us.
As Law Enforcement Professionals, we took an oath to protect right and fight evil. Many have lost track of those priorities and have put the job first. If you are experiencing lower than normal sense of self-worth, depression or misplaced guilt, inability to specifically remember or talk about trauma, feeling numb emotionally, dissociation (not aware of the present moment), a feeling of disconnection from your everyday life, feeling hyper-aroused and vigilant for danger all the time, lashing out in irritability or unexplained anger, feeling jittery, or unable to concentrate on tasks at hand or other anxiety disorders, such as panic or intense distress, talk to someone and get help. Get back to the basics, Put God First, Family Second, and the job further down in the order.
IF YOU HAVE THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE, GET HELP NOW
CALL COPLINE – CALL (800) 267-5463
“Everything else had failed – the pills, counseling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and MMA – but when I simply made the choice to align my life to the life God created for me to live, I found hope, healing, and the thing we all need most: purpose.”
(Chad Robichaux – An Unfair Advantage)
- National Archives, “The Bill of Rights: what does it say?” accessed 10/02/2020, https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/bill-of-rights/what-does-it-say#:~:text=The%20Bill%20of%20Rights%20is,speech%2C%20press%2C%20and%20religion. ↑
- “America’s Wars,” Department of Veterans Affairs, accessed 10/13/2020, https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/factsheets/fs_americas_wars.pdf ↑
