We, as a nation, are a deeply spiritual people. There have been a lot of times as a chaplain that I have been talking with a person and they ask me a question, but on reflection, I realize that the words said were not really the question that they were asking. An example would be the family member asking what caused the death of their loved one, but upon listening closer, you hear the deep heart cry of “Why did they have to die?” This is a deeply spiritual question coming from the heart. And if you are gentle with their heart, I have found that they will trust you with the most sacred part of their lives.

As chaplains, we are called to lean into and walk with people during the worst times of their lives. Only by listening to the deeper heart cry will we hear these questions. Listen carefully. They may be testing you to see if you are really listening and if they will trust you with more. Here are some questions that people may be really asking.

1. Why am I here? What is my purpose in life? Why am I in this place of hurt at this time? Why did they have to die? Why did they leave me?

2. Forgiveness. Can I really be forgiven for what I did? Can I forgive the people who hurt me? What does forgiveness really look like?

3. Justice. Is there really right and wrong? Who sets those standards? Why do people who do wrong get away with it?

4. Love. What is love? Where can I find love? Why does my heart hurt so much?

5. Help! My life is out of control. Who can help me?

6. Truth. Society says that truth is relative, but that doesn’t seem right in light of #3. What is really true?

7. Happiness & Joy - Why do I find no joy in life?

8. Where is hope? I feel empty. Everything is falling apart. Where is hope for my life? Where is hope in society to act right?

These questions will never be answered in a course at our police or fire academy. These are questions from deep within the spirit. As a chaplain and a person of faith, these questions have answers for me only because I have chosen to live with a spiritual outlook. But for a lot of people who are in that place of despair, these answers are not easily found. Their world has been rocked to the core and their worldview no longer matches up with the reality around them. Their spiritual worldview cannot give them the answers they need. That is where it takes a person with a gentle spirit to come and walk with them, help them carry burdens, and be able to give hope with deeds, and maybe even with words. It is where a person of faith can help teach them to lift their voices as the psalmist did and say “Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!” (Ps 4:1)