They turn to the chaplain when divorce, abuse, betrayal, etc., torment them. Countless downcast friends have miserably muttered things like, “I’m a mess,” or “I have failed,” or “I can’t seem to ever get things right,” or “I’m broken.” Whenever another person expresses something of this sort, it is appropriate to leave a moment for silence. Usually, I break that silence with, “So am I. Let’s talk.” As with all Christian chaplains, I am an alien in a largely unbelieving Army culture, just like you are in the wider culture. Yet we all share something very basic. Perhaps we can call it the “broken bond.” We are all sinners and sufferers. This bond is powerful, but it is only a real bond if you own your brokenness and speak truthfully of it. This is what the Apostle Paul did in one of his final letters. He said he was the worst of sinners. No one needed the gospel more than he! Have the same broken and contrite spirit as Paul.