What do you think?
Rate this book
To Hell, Back, and Beyond - A PTSD Journey: When Faith and Trauma Collide
In this updated edition - 9/01/2020 - To Hell, Back, and Beyond describes my account of living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. During therapy I developed a personal approach to managing my PTSD – an approach I use every day and believe will be of benefit to others. I transparently share my struggles dealing with years of trauma as a child growing up in Minnesota, and as a missionary living in Africa for over 20 years. How does one coexist cumulative trauma? Understanding and living with PTSD challenged every aspect of my faith and being. My Boundaries, Accountability, Confession, Knowledge, and Sorrow (B.A.C.K.S.) approach is not meant to diagnose or replace any therapy or medication that you are currently undergoing to help with your condition. Instead, it offers camaraderie, transparent insight, prayer, and exercises to fully explore life with PTSD. Your traumatic experiences need not define you. They can instead propel you toward a greater purpose and fulfillment. Don currently serves in Member Care with wife Kathy to missionaries around the world. He holds several degrees, is a trained life coach, and carries certifications in Fire/EMS/Police Chaplaincy.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 26, 2018
7 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 24, 2019
Seems unfair to write a review on a book my dad has written, but this is a heartfelt honest look i to himself. Some things I knew, some I did not and some I suspected. I encourage anyone dealing with PTSD to read this and learn how to find hope in its midst.
August 13, 2025
Don Mingo is an excellent, gifted writer. Another great book. His transparency and down-to-earth approach can help many people, especially those serving as missionaries. Below are some of my personal takeaways from this great book:
The acronym B.A.C.K.S. Is the 5-step process developed by the author to help him rule the PTSD that harmed him for many years. It stands for: Boundaries. Accountability. Confession. Knowledge. Sorrow.
Dealing with PTSD will cost a lot, but not dealing with it will cost much more.
God is your biggest supporter. He is always available. Learn to lean on His acceptance and love for you.
Realizing a problem exist is your first step to recovery. Pretending like no issues exist only assures the house will burn down.
PTSD is not a term about military, it is term about trauma. It is when the brain does not know how to manage the trauma that has been seen or experienced.
Often it takes more strength to get help than it does to struggle along.
In journaling, there’s often healing. It often gets the brain going in the right direction.
Sorrow is a journey few people understand unless they’ve walked that path.
The Lord teaches us to rejoice with those that rejoice and weep with those that weep. Many times, your presence is needed and appreciated, not the pop-psychology or witty statement you think will help the one hurting.
Long before psychology was around, God said your thoughts will affect your life. You can listen over two times the speed that you can talk, so what are you talking to yourself about? What you are thinking about is essential.
While isolation feels safer, it reduces your hope of healing and recovery.
When Saul was troubled and could not sleep, David played a harp and soothed him. Music can be a powerful tool to help one relax.
Accountability provides a team approach to ensure your journey to a healthier life.
Pray that God gives you courage to ask others for help.
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved. – Helen Keller
It is a myth that PTSD is a sign of weakness. It is an understandable human response to uncommon experiences.
PTSD, while bearing much negative spiritual fruit, is not entirely a spiritual problem; it is trauma problem of the brain.
Triggers are emotional responses to past traumatic experiences.
Unless one prays and praises, one stays in a suffering heart.
In anger a soul dies, only in forgiveness does a soul survive.
The acronym B.A.C.K.S. Is the 5-step process developed by the author to help him rule the PTSD that harmed him for many years. It stands for: Boundaries. Accountability. Confession. Knowledge. Sorrow.
Dealing with PTSD will cost a lot, but not dealing with it will cost much more.
God is your biggest supporter. He is always available. Learn to lean on His acceptance and love for you.
Realizing a problem exist is your first step to recovery. Pretending like no issues exist only assures the house will burn down.
PTSD is not a term about military, it is term about trauma. It is when the brain does not know how to manage the trauma that has been seen or experienced.
Often it takes more strength to get help than it does to struggle along.
In journaling, there’s often healing. It often gets the brain going in the right direction.
Sorrow is a journey few people understand unless they’ve walked that path.
The Lord teaches us to rejoice with those that rejoice and weep with those that weep. Many times, your presence is needed and appreciated, not the pop-psychology or witty statement you think will help the one hurting.
Long before psychology was around, God said your thoughts will affect your life. You can listen over two times the speed that you can talk, so what are you talking to yourself about? What you are thinking about is essential.
While isolation feels safer, it reduces your hope of healing and recovery.
When Saul was troubled and could not sleep, David played a harp and soothed him. Music can be a powerful tool to help one relax.
Accountability provides a team approach to ensure your journey to a healthier life.
Pray that God gives you courage to ask others for help.
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved. – Helen Keller
It is a myth that PTSD is a sign of weakness. It is an understandable human response to uncommon experiences.
PTSD, while bearing much negative spiritual fruit, is not entirely a spiritual problem; it is trauma problem of the brain.
Triggers are emotional responses to past traumatic experiences.
Unless one prays and praises, one stays in a suffering heart.
In anger a soul dies, only in forgiveness does a soul survive.
April 18, 2022
Beyond words
The degree in which an author is able to understand his own experiences and then relate them adequately and appropriately to his target audience is the amount of impact he has on their lives. Don has had a very high degree of impact on my life as a missionary in remission from ptsd.
The degree in which an author is able to understand his own experiences and then relate them adequately and appropriately to his target audience is the amount of impact he has on their lives. Don has had a very high degree of impact on my life as a missionary in remission from ptsd.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews