Dealing With Firefighter Discouragement

The roles and responsibilities of a firefighter aren’t easy. The ever-increasing demands on our knowledge, skills, and abilities can cause us to feel as if we must know everything, be prepared for anything, and can never take a breath.

Although we are passionate, dedicated, and have a love for the calling of a firefighter, we can become weary when:

• Our efforts are not appreciated but mediocrity is rewarded.
• Our family situation suffers.
• And the organization that we call the greatest job in the world causes us to feel unappreciated.

How do we reignite the fire that once burned in our souls? How do we reconcile our sacrifice and dedication with world’s constant lack of appreciation?

The answer is simple but the application is beyond difficult.

Our hope, our joy, and our significance cannot be based on the appreciation, or lack thereof, from others. The world will always disappoint us, betray our trust, and change the meaning of truth.

The calling of a firefighter must be based on an inner desire that cannot be dictated by circumstances. Otherwise we will become a “fair weather firefighter” which means that we will only be happy when things are going well.

In a profession where we deal with tragedy, loss, and death on a regular basis, each of us has to understand that being so close to such pain will have an effect on us.

My friends, there is One who will not abandon us, nor disappoint us, nor betray us. It is God.

If our calling is sincere and our heart is to endure, then we need to be fully equipped with the power He provides.  This peace that comes from Jesus is one that allows us to stay motivated, encouraged, and inspired despite the negativity that may surround us at times. He is the anchor of our soul in the rescue system of life.

The moment of trial that we are in can discourage us. But what if we anchor our hope in God, connect our lifeline to Him, and yet seemingly are unable to pull ourselves out by our own strength? Then our brothers and sisters come along, and place themselves in just the right place on our line, and their mechanical advantage of encouragement allows us to be pulled out of our despair.

Consider the application:
In times of discouragement, we need to stay anchored in God’s word and hope through His promise. Our lifeline is our prayer life and worship that allows us to stay connected to Him.  Then in the moments of discouragement, we add the mechanical advantage of “mutual encouragement,” the change of direction of “wise counsel,” and the gradual removal from our despair by the brotherhood “bearing one another’s burdens.” (Galatians 6:2)

We are not alone and we choose not to face these struggles alone. Get connected into the strongest system of encouragement known to mankind: the hope of Jesus Christ.