Healing is often spoken about nowadays but how many of us truly do the work of confronting and healing from the deep-seated trauma we have? As believers do we slip things under the rug, however, confess that Jesus is the comforter and healer?
Pretending not to see the deep issues that are bothering our souls and minds doesn’t mean that they will suddenly disappear or that Jesus will take it all away without us first being open to addressing them and putting in the work God requires of us to be free from the pain and wrong mindset that has been developed.
In this blog post we will be touching on what deep-seated trauma is, the symptoms and exploring different ways to overcome the resulting pain and negative thought patterns. It’s important to note that God’s desire for us to address our deep pain is never for us to unpack it and dwell in it, but rather to acknowledge, understand its impact and allow God to help us heal from it.
What is Deep-Seated Trauma?
Deep-seated trauma is deep-rooted emotional wounds that come from experiencing extremely distressing and life-changing events. Consequently, such traumas are usually buried deep within the subconscious, resulting in individuals being affected long after the experience occurred. Moreover, these traumas can come from different sources, like, childhood abuse, neglect, prolonged emotional and psychological abuse or any experience that causes great fear, feelings of helplessness and terror.
The Key Characteristics of Deep-Seated Trauma
Long-Lasting Impact: Contrary to acute trauma, which may have been due to a single event, this impacts individuals mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually for a long period.
Subconscious Influence: The long-lasting impact of trauma deeply roots itself in the subconscious, affecting thoughts, emotions and behaviour without the person being fully aware of their origins.
Complex Symptoms: Deep-seated trauma can lead to varied and compound symptoms, such as chronic anxiety, depression, instability in relationships, disassociation and emotional numbness.
Triggers: Sadly, when not fully aware of past distressing events, individuals may not discern that their reactions may have been triggered by their traumatic experiences. These triggers could result in panic attacks, flashbacks, and other intense emotional responses.
Signs and Symptoms of Deep-Seated Trauma
Emotional Symptoms: There will be persistent feelings of sadness, anger, shame, or guilt. Including, experiencing emotional numbness or detachment from others.
Behavioural Symptoms: Such symptoms are avoidance of particular places or activities that remind of the traumatic event, indulging in substance abuse, self-harm, or compulsive behaviours.
Cognitive Symptoms: Intrusive thoughts, negative self-perception, difficulty concentrating, or memory loss.
Physical Symptoms: Chronic pain, fatigue, headaches, or gastrointestinal problems.
Long-Term Effects of Deep-Seated Trauma
Deep-seated trauma can result in far-reaching effects on different aspects of one’s life, such as:
Relationships: It may be extremely difficult to trust others, form healthy attachments, or maintain intimate relationships. They may experience fear of abandonment or struggle with emotional intimacy.
Self-Esteem: Chronic sentiments of worthlessness, shame, and helplessness may be present. They might believe they are unworthy of love and respect, feeling helpless, and pervasive shame.
Mental Health: There will be an increased risk of developing mental health disorders such as PTSD, chronic stress, anxiety, depression, or borderline personality disorder.
Physical Health: Chronic stress and trauma can result in long-term physical health issues such as heart disease, gastrointestinal problems, autoimmune disorders, or chronic pain conditions.
Spiritual Health: It’s essential to recognize that trauma can greatly impact one’s relationship with God. It can lead to feelings of abandonment, questioning one’s faith in Jesus, or disconnection to Him. Furthermore, individuals might struggle with understanding why God allowed them to experience such pain and feel distant from Him. They may purposefully distance themselves from Him, questioning His love or presence in their lives.
Types of Trauma
Although we won’t go too deep into each type of trauma for now, we will briefly touch on them. It’s important to keep in mind the different kinds of trauma to have a better understanding of the outcomes that show and how to heal.
Childhood Trauma
Abuse: Physical, sexual, or emotional harm inflicted on a child can greatly affect them. The abuse can result in deep and lasting psychological damage.
Neglect: Failing to provide basic emotional, physical, or psychological needs. This can include not receiving enough affection, food, medical care, or education.
Witnessing Violence: When a child observes domestic violence, community violence, or other traumatic events it can deeply impact their sense of trust and safety.
Emotional Abuse
Gaslighting: This is a form of manipulation where the abuser makes the victim doubt their reality, memory, or perceptions of the abuse experienced.
Manipulation: Coercive control tactics used to exploit, dominate, or influence the victim.
Verbal abuse: This involves insulting, degrading, or threatening language that diminishes the victim’s self-esteem and confidence.
Neglect
Emotional Neglect: Lack of emotional support, love, and nurturing. This may result in feeling worthless and difficulty in forming healthy relationships.
Physical Neglect: The failure to provide necessary physical care, like food, shelter, and hygiene.
Psychological Neglect: Ignoring the child’s need for psychological growth and development, resulting in problems in emotional regulation and self-identity.
The Impact of Unaddressed Trauma
When trauma remains unaddressed, it may come with a few significant problems such as:
Chronic Stress: When one has ongoing stress it may weaken their immune system, therefore increasing the possibility of illness, and result in persistent physical and mental health issues.
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder): A severe condition identified by flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the traumatic event.
Addiction: Substance abuse may become a way to cope with the pain and distress caused by trauma for some individuals, leading to addiction and further complicating their mental health. Also keep in mind that other forms of addictions may develop, eg. workaholic, sleep, etc.
Relationship Issues: It might become difficult to form and maintain healthy relationships, resulting in isolation, loneliness, and further emotional distress.
Coping Mechanisms
In attempting to manage their trauma, people may develop unhealthy coping mechanisms:
Substance Abuse: Some find taking drugs or alcohol as a way to numb emotional pain, this might lead to being dependent on it and therefore addiction.
Avoidance: There may be a tendency to avoid situations, people, or places that would trigger memories of the trauma, resulting in isolation and limiting life experiences.
Self-Harm: Some may involve themselves in self-injurious behaviours to express emotional pain or regain a sense of control.
Disordered Eating: People may develop unhealthy eating patterns, like binge eating, anorexia, or bulimia, as a way of coping with emotional distress.
Therefore, it is essential to understand these aspects of trauma and its long-term effects for it highlights the importance of addressing and healing from these experiences to live healthier and a more fulfilling life.
The Story of Tamar and Absolam’s Deep-Seated Trauma
Now let us look into the story of two biblical characters who were victims of traumatic experiences. In 2 Samuel 13:1-19, we read of an unfortunate incident that scarred both Tamar and her brother, Absolam.
Tamar
Tamar, the daughter of King David, was raped by her half-brother Ammon which was a very traumatic event to have lived. This heartbreaking event left her feeling devastated and shamed. Just imagine how affected she was — Ammon had claimed to have loved her but he later raped her and then shunned her. His supposed love for her turns into hatred, as the scriptures state that he ended up hating her more than he had loved her. We can only imagine the turmoil she experienced.
Ammon’s actions were not just physical abuse but emotional abuse, including gaslighting, manipulation and verbal abuse. He manipulated Tamar into a vulnerable position, then dismissed and blamed her afterwards, further compounding her trauma.
Furthermore, we could include that her father’s reaction could have left her feeling neglected. Although King David felt angered by the actions of his son, he did not punish him. This inaction may have left Tamar feeling as if what happened to her was not something to be taken seriously, worsening her mental and emotional health. The lack of justice and support from her father, alongside the emotional abuse she endured from Ammon, likely troubled her more deepening her sense of betrayal and isolation.
Absolam
Absolam, Tamar’s full brother, is a complex biblical character. He lived through several events in his life which may have led to personal trauma and shaped his behaviour. One of the key events was the sexual assault of his sister, Tamar. This incident and its aftermath undoubtedly constituted a traumatic experience for Absolam.
Absolam’s Reaction to the Incident
Protective Instinct: Absolam took Tamar into his home, where she lived as a desolate woman. He tried to comfort her and told her to keep quiet about the incident for the time being (2 Samuel 13:20).
His Anger and Desire for Revenge: Absolam held anger and resentment towards Ammon for two years. Ultimately, he planned for Ammon’s murder as an act of revenge for his sister’s violation (2 Samuel 13:22-29).
Absolam’s Possible Trauma
Witnessing Injustice: Absolam’s experience of his sister’s trauma and the subsequent lack of justice from their father, King David, who failed to punish Ammon, probably left him feeling helpless and enraged. Consequently, this perceived injustice might have added to his moral outrage and emotional turmoil.
Family Dynamics and Betrayal: The fact that this took place within the family, betrayal within the family— Ammon’s actions against Tamar and King David’s inaction—most probably immensely disturbed Absolam. The betrayal and the trust destroyed within the family could have all been traumatic for him, therefore, impacting his relationship with his father and skewed his sense of identity.
His Guilt and Sense of Responsibility: Absolam might have felt guilty and a sense of responsibility for not being able to protect his sister initially from Ammon and for deciding to take matters into his own hands violently.
Exile and Isolation: After murdering his brother, Ammon, Absolam fled and lived in exile for three years. This isolation from his family and the kingdom could have added to the emotional distress he had and he may have felt abandoned (2 Samuel 13:37-38).
God Wants Us To Heal From Trauma
These two biblical characters show us that those who were directly affected by a traumatic event(s) and those indirectly may be dealing with deep-seated trauma that needs to be addressed.
In Tamar and Absolam’s story, it is not necessarily highlighted that God addressed it, however, it reflects the importance of humans needing to take upon their responsibility. Deciding to ignore deep issues present can leave victims shattered, unfortunately, they can end up making life decisions that are severe not only towards themselves but others too (as seen with Ammon, King David and Absolam).
Unfortunately, some people view God, as one who does not care much about the pain and suffering that one may experience and that if He does He expects them to quickly get over them and go on with life as if nothing ever happened. This is truly depressing because it results in people walking around being a shell of a person allowing the pain and suffering to eat them up.
If we sincerely meditate on scriptures we will discover that God doesn’t neglect His creation’s emotional, physical, mental and spiritual well-being. He desires to help out in all these aspects.
“He heals the brokenhearted
and bandages their wounds.”- Psalm 147:3
However, this does not mean that God wanting to help us out means He will miraculously make everything disappear. No, God has set principles for all to follow, both the oppressors and victims. We’ll wrap it up here for now, however, stay tuned for the continuation in Part 2 where we delve deeper into practical steps for healing and how faith can guide us through this journey.
Prayer
“Heavenly Father,
We come before You with open hearts. May we be open to confronting and healing from any wounds. We seek your guidance and comfort, give us your strength and wisdom. We refuse to allow bitterness, anger, or toxic emotions to hinder our progress.In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
