A Firefighter’s Faith Journey Through PTSD And Marriage - Part 1
From the outside, life looked perfect. Inside, everything was falling apart.
About this episode
Can you have a successful career, a strong marriage, a loving family, and still struggle with PTSD, anxiety, and depression?
In Part 1 of this powerful conversation, Troy sits down with Shannon Lombard—a firefighter, husband, father, author, and future licensed professional counselor—to discuss the hidden battles many people face behind closed doors. While everything looked great from the outside, Shannon shares how years of trauma, stress, and emotional weight eventually caught up with him, leading to struggles with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and identity.
Together, they explore mental health through a Christian lens, the courage it takes to ask for help, and why healing often requires more than simply trying harder. Shannon's story is a reminder that faith and suffering are not opposites, and that God often works through counseling, community, relationships, and vulnerability to bring healing. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, isolated, or exhausted from carrying burdens alone, this conversation offers hope and practical wisdom.
Read more about this topic: A Firefighter’s Faith Journey Through PTSD And Marriage - Part 1 - We say we trust God, yet we still have to navigate trauma, identity, marriage stress, parenting pressure, and the daily grind.
Key Scriptures
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:2
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
“For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.”
Proverbs 11:14
What’s in this episode
Shannon's journey as a family man, firefighter and veterinarian
How PTSD, anxiety, and depression developed over time
Why trauma often remains hidden for years
The pressure of looking successful while struggling internally
How mental health challenges affected marriage and family life
The importance of counseling and professional help
Why faith and therapy work together—not against each other
Breaking the stigma around Christian mental health
The role of vulnerability, accountability, and community in healing
What Shannon wishes he knew before reaching a breaking point
Finding hope when life feels overwhelming
Reflection questions
Are there struggles in your life that you've been carrying alone?
What prevents you from asking for help when you need it?
How has your mental and emotional health impacted your relationships?
Do you believe seeking counseling is a sign of weakness or wisdom?
Are there hidden wounds from your past that still affect you today?
Who are the trusted people in your life that can walk alongside you?
What would change if you stopped pretending everything was okay?
How can you take one step toward healing this week?
Key Takeaway
Healing rarely happens in isolation. God often works through people, counseling, community, and honest conversations to help us carry burdens we were never meant to carry alone.
Quote from the episode
"You cannot heal alone."