Chaplain's Corner
By Pastor Gary Cortese, Chaplain - Byron Fire District January 2018 edition
During this time of year it’s common to hear warnings from health care professionals about the Holiday Blues, Depression, and Stress. This is a very real part of life. I would like to share my perspectives for you to consider as you begin the New Year.
This important subject should be reiterated, especially around the holidays. Everyone goes through emotional ups and downs (some more than others). But not everyone handles stress and depression the same way. Through my years of ministry I’ve been privileged to provide faith-based support and encouragement for people in all kinds of situations. One thing we all have in common is that too much stress is unhealthy. How do we define “too much” stress? Well, what stresses you out may not affect another person, but the symptoms are very real. Soon they may find themselves in a deep, dark depression. It’s important to understand that we have different levels and different responses to stress. You see, often times warning signs go unnoticed because what we define as “no big deal” is a really big deal to someone else.
I prayed with someone in another state who was angry that his bypass surgery was
successful, and that he awoke from it just fine! Sounds crazy, right? Well, in his mind the pain of having to face the issues in his life again were overwhelming. In fact, you would be shocked to know how many people I have prayed with who didn’t want to “wake up” from surgery, or recover from a life- threatening illness. How sad that there are many folks out there who are willing to throw away the gift of life.
All right, now I’ve got to get pastoral here with you (you may want to fasten your seatbelt and hold on). Your life is a gift. How you manage it and navigate through it is your business – but your life is a gift. Why not start treating your life as such? Also, you are irreplaceable. Regardless of what others may have said, you do matter, and you are important. You have just as much right to be here and to be happy as the next person. Too many folks, however, are looking in all the wrong places for true happiness. Ok, so your life is a gift. But, it may not feel like it, and you might think it’s still a mess, and that your situation is hopeless. Well, first
off you might as well know that I don’t believe there is a hopeless case out there. But I do believe there is a dark cloud that can envelop people who don’t manage their life properly and value what they have. It’s a choice we make. Every day I chose to believe that life is good. Every day I choose to believe that there is hope. May I conclude my comments by being brutally honest? Are you still buckled up? No one likes to talk about these things, but I’m the guy who gets called out when one family member decides to leave the rest behind. Throwing away your greatest gift is just plain selfish. Your family is NOT better off without you! And as long as you have breath in your body you can do something to improve the situation
you find yourself in. As long as there is life there is hope. One final thought I want to leave you with is that you are not alone - ever. Whatever your belief or religious preference, Byron Fire has a comprehensive Chaplain program – we are here for you – every day, 24 hours a day. Our Chaplain Division is comprised of two ordained pastors, me and Pastor Randy Snider, as well as a Chaplain Support Team – and we are just a phone call away. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you believe that you or someone you love is under that “dark cloud” of depression.
May this New Year be filled with hope, peace, passion and purpose