Episode 97 :: Dr. Tiffany Tajiri:: Stories of Pursuing Peace and Hope for Veterans and Survivors of Trauma

Simply Stories Podcast

Today on the podcast we have Dr. Tiffany Tajiri who is a veteran of the Air Force, an Army and Air Force psychologist, and the current Chief of the largest behavioral health clinic at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX. She and her team work with active duty armed forces, veterans and their families to help them prepare for the missions and deployments and cope with the trauma of their experiences and how they impact them spiritually, emotionally and how that manifests in their bodies and reaches into every part of their lives and relationships.

Dr. Tiffany is passionate about helping others find healing and she does so in this fascinating space where science and faith cooperate because the Creator is the Author of both. She shares with us today incredibly insightful science of how the brain, mind, soul all work together and how God wired us to heal. Then, she reminds us how scripture is layered with verbiage that talks about God’s word and the body. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.” (Matthew 22:37) “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2 - just to name a couple.) God knows our bodies! He made them! He also knows that what we will endure on Earth takes an incredible toll on our bodies, our minds, hearts and our faith, and so we need His word hidden within us so that when the lies of the enemy come, we have an answer,, a sword to wield to defend ourselves and to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

This conversation and the topics Dr. Tiffany and I cover are not exclusive to veterans, but I do believe it felt important to share this episode this week because we just experienced the 20th anniversary of 9/11, the affects of the exit from Afghanistan is ongoing, and there’s just A LOT that continues to come to the surface for the armed forces community, for veterans and for those who fight their own battles with trauma of all types. We need tools to know how to respond to the war we are in that is not of flesh and blood, but also to serve those who give their all on all different types of front lines. This is swimming in the deep end of the pool friends, but it's not a place the Lord is unfamiliar with, and wherever He is, that’s where we want to be.

The presence of God is so close to you, even in this very moment. The only thing that will fill the void created by pain and trauma is Jesus, y’all. Mental Illness, depression and anxiety, suicidal ideation, these are all VERY real things that attack our body and every part of our existence. When you are sick, you get medicine, you get help. While you are healing your body and addressing the neurons in your brain, your soul and your mind still needs to be addressed and filled with what is true to address the cracks in the foundation of what your life is built on. The Spirit can lead you to that place, and be near to You in the journey of healing your whole self. I love that Dr. Tiffany shared with us that both the physical and the mental/spiritual elements of who we are matter and all of it deserves the attention of healing.

You matter, friend. Your story matters.

Connecting with Dr. Tiffany:

Book // Peace After Combat : Healing the Spiritual and Psychological Wounds of War

Instagram

Website

YouTube

Episode Sponsor: Hopefuel

Facebook

Instagram

Link to shop

SIMPLY15 for 15% off your purchase

References:

Branches of the Armed Forces

Moral injury

Neuroplasticity

Rhythms of Restoration

Bilateral stimulation

Butterfly hug tap// video

REM sleep

Dr. Kelly Cole’s study

Robert Bannister

Scripture References:

Isaiah 43:19 - Makes a way in the wasteland

Luke 10:27- Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength

John 13:35- Seeing others through their love

Psalm 119:105- A light to our path

Romans 8:37-39- Nothing height nor depth

1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Ephesians 4:30, Revelation 12:11- Bought and sealed by the blood of the Lamb

John 14:27, John 16:33, Philippians 4:7- The peace of Christ

Isaiah 43:1-I have called you by name you are mine

James 1:17- Every perfect thing is from above

John 10:10- The thief comes to steal and destroy

Genesis 2:18 / Jeremiah 31:3- God created us to be in relationship and to know love (this is a really insightful article about being made for relationship)

God gave us free will (Lots of verses)

Hebrews 5:7-8-Jesus had a choice, but He submitted to the will of the Father (also in Luke 22 below)

Luke 22:42- Lord if you’ll take this cup from me

John 10:10 / 2 Corinthians 5:15 / Romans 5:8- Jesus died that we may have life

Romans 8:1-17- Living by the flesh vs. living by the Spirit

Exodus 20-The 10 Commandments

Genesis 1:27- We are made in the image of God

Matthew 28:19, Luke 3:22- God is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit

Psalm 23:4- Though I walk through the shadow of the valley of death

2 Corinthians 3:18- Take us from blessing to blessing, glory to glory

Deuteronomy 30:19- I put before you blessing or cursing, life or death

Romans 12:2- Be transformed by the renewal of your mind

John 15- I am the True Vine, you are the branches

Jeremiah 17:5-9 - the tree that plants itself deep down into the water

Ephesians 1:7-10- The Lord is the author of redemption

Lamentations 3:22-23- The Lord’s mercies are new every morning

Matthew 11:20-30- Unforced rhythms of grace

Ephesians 3:20- More than you can ever ask or imagine

James 1:12- Given everyone the crown of life who endures

The eyes of Christ like fire or diamonds

2 Timothy 4:7-8-I have run the race

Matthew 19:14- Let the little children come to me

Psalms 46:10- Be still and know that He is God

You are worthy of love (so many verses!)

Galatians 3:26 / 2 Corinthians 6:18 / 1 John 3:1 -You are a son or a daughter of God

John 15:13- There is no greater love than this than one who lays down their life for a friend

1 Peter 2:19-25 / Hebrews 2:9-14- Jesus suffered

Proverbs 18:21 / James 3:1-12- Our words hold the power of life and death

Ephesians 6:11- Stand firm against the devil

Philippians 4:8- Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is lovely…

Matthew 5:13-16- Being salt and light

Ephesians 6:12- We are not at war with flesh and blood

Ephesians 2

Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast:Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life)FacebookTwitterBlog

*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com