Hi there! Welcome back to this series of healing trauma. In Part 1, we explored deep trauma, its signs, symptoms, long-term impact, and that God wants us to address it. In part 2 we will be unpacking more on how to confront deep-seated trauma and heal from it, ensuring to provide practical, faith-centered ways to do so too.
Confronting Trauma
Confronting trauma is not so easy to do. Putting yourself in a position of revisiting the pain that you may have desperately been wanting to forget and escape. Sometimes it feels like having to revisit it won’t make things better but worse. The fear of the pain consuming you, that you’ll no longer be able to pretend that everything is alright. No mask will be able to hide what truly is taking place within your heart.
It’s true that maybe you have been putting up a mask pretty well, hiding it all from people. However, the truth is that despite putting up a facade, it doesn’t stop the wounds from bleeding, instead of healing. God sees that it is overwhelming and is ready to lend a helping hand. Now, let’s confront trauma directly so we can remove the mask, and safely bandage our scars.
Acknowledging the Trauma:
As previously mentioned, revisiting events that deeply scarred us is an intimidating thought. However, recognizing and accepting the trauma that we have experienced is extremely important for it is the first step to healing. How can one heal from something they do not even know they need healing from? Furthermore, we are not just to acknowledge that it happened but accept that we did experience it. Sometimes we recognise but do not necessarily accept it, we want to forget and bury them 6 feet under. Other times ashamed that our life story is not so pretty after all.
The Role of Faith in Confronting Trauma:
Faith in Jesus Christ plays a great role in confronting trauma. Allowing His teachings to guide us as we face trauma, aids with ensuring that we healthily process things. We must not allow the trauma to consume us instead, we have the perspective that enables the process of complete healing. God provides the required strength and support to overcome trauma.
Confronting trauma can sometimes be an issue, as sometimes we have forgotten the exact details of what we experienced, but we know that something must have happened in our past. Furthermore, it doesn’t help that our brains have kept it registered hence, we find ourselves triggered and wanting to protect ourselves from certain things. The brain tries not to put us in a position of exposure to experiencing anything potentially close to being traumatic again. If a threat arises, the brain learns how to handle it, so the fall is less severe than before.
Now, just because the brain may react this way doesn’t necessarily mean that its programming is exactly right, for all it’s seeing is, “ALERT, ALERT, DANGER!” and will want to bring in safety often leaving wisdom outside. Therefore, it is important to train your mind to embrace necessary changes, even if it’s unfamiliar with it.
Yes, one can follow principles and get through certain levels of healing, however complete healing (becoming who they are destined to be) comes through allowing Christ to help us heal. One may say, “Why would God allow me to be in such a situation in the first place if He truly cared?” When such questions circulate in one’s mind alongside feelings of betrayal and distrust toward people, these emotions often project onto God as well.
Feeling betrayed and unloved by God– anger and sorrow blinding the heart from seeing God for who He is. This is where balance should always be in place, we should acknowledge although God is the creator of all and holds all power, He cannot break the principle of allowing mankind to have their own free will.
This doesn’t mean that He sits back when evil takes place, God always gives warnings. These warnings may have been made to the victim and even their guardians and friends, signalling danger. God could have even warned the oppressors they should repent and let go of their wicked ways. However, somewhere, somehow, the warnings were ignored and principles were broken, causing damage.
When we meditate on the Word, we will understand that God is not only loving but values justice and fairness.
Moreover, when He sees that damage has been done He is more than willing to help and bring complete restoration. Now, it is up to us to look beyond our pain and distrust and decide to see Him for who He is. By doing so we open our hearts to go through the process of being divinely restored.
You may not know how to begin expressing your pain to God, but reading Psalms (like Psalms 13) can help you voice your pain to God, just like David did when running from Saul. This helps to align your emotions with God’s Word, whilst also reminding you that God indeed cares. For, if He does not, why does His Word include ways to express our sufferings to Him?
Divine Strength, Love and Restoration:
As mentioned above, traumatic experiences most times result in distrust and hopelessness. The drive to want to heal may fluctuate, often due to the lingering effects of traumatic events on the person. By allowing the Holy Spirit to help us, we take our responsibilities while His divine power carries us through it all.
Even when we feel like giving up—and sometimes do—we somehow rise again and continue pushing forward. He is our helper, and to help us, He must already hold knowledge about who we are and how the experience/s has impacted us. Moreover, He understands best what we need to become the better version of ourselves, even when we don’t know what we are truly hurting from or needing. So, if you were ever to doubt that God could fully understand, best believe He knows and understands better than anyone could (well unless God Himself doesn’t reveal it to others too).
Biblical Character Who Overcame Trauma
David: Pursued by King Saul
Scripture: 1 Samuel 18-31
Someone’s story may be that people close to them, or whom you looked up to, and may have never expected, turned their back on you and even went to the extent of openly trying to harm you. We see this in one of the seasons of David’s life. After David was anointed by God to be the future king of Israel, King Saul, out of jealousy and fear, sought to kill him. David did not spend days fleeing for his life but years! Enduring hardship and betrayal, although he had done nothing wrong to deserve Saul’s wrath. Despite all of this he continued to trust in God’s protection and timing.
Take note that David was faced with opportunities whereby he could have avenged himself. However, because he knew and understood that God was not expecting that of him, he used wisdom by fleeing from harm’s way whilst trusting that God would not fail him and take care of the situation. This strengthened his faith in God, showing the power of faith in overcoming persecution and finding peace despite being wronged. Furthermore, David constantly turning to God, despite being betrayed, reveals that keeping faith despite trauma can result in healing and growth.
Seeking Professional Help
Although we have God to help us through such difficult situations, it’s also important to note that He may require you to seek help from mental health professionals, counsellors, or therapists. It’s not to say that God is not able to resolve it all, He definitely can. However, we must acknowledge that He has gifted certain people to help others in this field. Remember, that God might not fix everything directly, but usually uses people as his vessel.
However, it’s important to always seek God’s guidance on who to seek help from, for not everyone is whom God wants you to be opening up to. Additionally, there’s also the truth that we live in an evil world, there are people who have evil intentions. Instead of receiving help, you end up leaving with more wounds, due to their unprofessional behavior. So it’s essential to seek God’s wisdom and discernment. Pray for His wisdom when selecting a counsellor, that He may lead you to someone who aligns with your faith values.
Some don’t do this before opening up to others, and end up blaming God. Additionally, thinking that no good can come from seeking help, and deciding to remain seated in their sufferings. When what is needed is inviting God into the scene. Remember, that God is more than happy to be involved in every single detail of our lives. However, it’s essential to comprehend that when He wants to help us He can do so through people.
Healing from Trauma
It’s important to note that healing is a journey and not something that happens overnight or a one-time event. When we understand this we open ourselves to enduring the rollercoaster ride that may await us as we embark on the journey.
The Healing Journey
The healing journey can be seen as a multi-faceted process that involves emotional, spiritual and physical dimensions. Below we’ll be looking into the different stages of the healing process, each step is personal and unique, and individuals’ journeys can vary greatly depending on their experience and commitment to progressing.
Recognition and Acknowledgement:
Recognizing that you need to heal is the first step. It involves acknowledging your pain, trauma, or brokenness, and accepting that it is a problem. When doing so, acknowledge how much you need God’s help and recognise the areas where healing is necessary.
Seeking Forgiveness and Forgiving Others:
It’s important to ask God to help you forgive those who have hurt you, and help you work through any anger, bitterness, or resentment towards others. His grace to heal. Furthermore, seek God’s forgiveness for anything you have done or sinful thoughts led by your pain.
Understanding and Releasing:
This stage includes exploring the root causes of pain or trauma. It involves understanding how one’s experiences align with Biblical teachings and learning to release past hurts to God. Prayer, meditation, and studying scriptures are powerful tools in this phase.
Transformation and Renewal:
Healing usually results in personal transformation. This stage involves growing in faith, adopting new perspectives, and embracing God’s promises. It’s about allowing God’s healing to bring renewal and change in one’s life.
Integration and Living Out:
The final stage of this process involves integrating the healing into daily life. This implies living out the new understanding and changes you have gained in a manner that aligns with one’s Christian values.
Ongoing Journey:
Healing is not always linear, it can be an ongoing process. Full of ups and downs. Regular meditation of God’s Word, continued prayer, and seeking support from the faith community are important in maintaining and deepening the healing.
Healing Through Jesus
As briefly mentioned above, prayer and meditation are essential, as well, as fasting. Prayer is communication with God, meditating on the Word led by the Spirit of God is opening ourselves to receiving God’s understanding of life and fasting helps align us with God, denying our flesh from its desires and focusing on the spirit receiving from God.
When trauma has impacted one’s life, shifting their understanding of life and people, it results in a certain way of viewing things and reacting– which usually isn’t godly if realigning the thought process to God’s was not done.
God understands His creation best, He knows what we don’t even know about ourselves. Therefore, we should be open to being vulnerable and receiving guidance on how to become the best version of ourselves.
Let’s be mindful that God continuously endures rejection and wrongdoings from His creation, yet remains loving and slow to anger. This should deeply speak to us. How does God remain who He is? How does He not let all that is done against Him destroy His character? Why doesn’t He give up on humanity?
That’s because He sees and understands things from a different viewpoint, He doesn’t justify the wrongs, He understands that despite the pain caused it should never be a reason to change who He is. That’s why when He calls us to love even our enemies, He knows how He has created us, and the capacity we hold. As stated in Genesis, we have been formed in His image and likeness. Hence, when we accept Jesus, and allow the Spirit to lead and transform, the heartbreak that seemed impossible to heal from, the people it seemed impossible to forgive and the ability to fully love becomes completely possible.
Although the journey will have its ups and downs if we remain committed despite how difficult and long it may take, we will see great results. God has already assured us in His Word that those who seek Him wholeheartedly will find Him. This also implies that if we sincerely seek Him in truth then having His mindset is achievable too. God desires for us to think, speak, and act like Him.
Building a Support System
Having a strong support system is crucial for the healing journey, it gives encouragement, accountability, and a sense of belonging. Ensuring to have a network of friends, family, and faith communities can make a significant difference in your path to healing.
Importance of a Support System:
Emotional Encouragement: Friends and family can provide emotional support, listen to your struggles, and offer advice grounded in God’s love and care.
Spiritual Support: Faith communities, like a church group or bible study, will offer spiritual guidance and prayer, reminding you of God’s presence in your healing process.
Accountability: A strong support system helps keep you accountable in your healing journey, encouraging you to stay on track with your goals and commitments.
Shared Wisdom: The collective wisdom of a supportive network may offer valuable insights and perspectives that you might not have considered before.
Practical Steps for Emotional Healing
Healing is a gradual process that needs intentional effort. Putting in place practical steps and exercises can help you navigate this journey effectively.
Journaling:
Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you process emotions and gain clarity. Allowing you to reflect on your experiences, challenges, and progress in your healing journey. Also, including prayers, bible verses, or godly insights.
For example: Try writing down one difficult memory and pair it with a Bible verse like Isaiah 41:10. This is a way of not only releasing pain but anchoring it in God’s promises.
Mindfulness and Meditation:
Mediating on God’s Word refreshes, as scripture states God’s Word brings life, therefore it’s essential to meditate on it day and night allowing it to transform you. However, it’s also important to be mindful of your emotions, thoughts and actions–this helps to ensure that when you are making the effort to change negative patterns you can track down whether you are making progress or not. Moreover, when you have days you slip, you can know what not to do.
Prayer and Reflection:
On top of taking a great amount of time to communicate with God daily, it’s important to reflect too. Take regular moments whereby you honestly, carefully and deeply think about the impacts of the wounds on your life and your progress in healing.
Setting Boundaries:
Additionally, setting boundaries is a must! Often the effort to heal is being made but people forget how important setting boundaries is in healing. When healthy biblical boundaries are set it prevents us from exposing ourselves to situations that will worsen our wounds. It prevents us from indulging in a mindset that will only work against us.
For example, if a relationship or environment triggers your trauma, set boundaries by limiting your interaction or politely excusing yourself from situations that negatively impact your healing.
“Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.”-1 Peter 5:8
“Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.”-Proverbs 4:23
The Role of Self-Care and Self-Compassion
Self-Care:
Taking regular care of your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being is foundational to healing. This can include regular exercise, healthy eating, getting enough rest, and engaging in activities that bring joy and relaxation.
Self-Compassion:
Be kind to yourself. Acknowledge that healing takes time, and it’s okay to have setbacks. Treat yourself with the same compassion and grace that you would give to a friend.
Rest:
It’s important to incorporate frequent periods of rest to freshen your mind, body, and spirit. Using that time to disconnect from anything stressful and reconnect with God.
Positive Affirmations:
Speak God’s truth over your life by using positive affirmations rooted in Scripture. Make sure to remind yourself of your identity in Christ and the hope and healing He offers. For example, try incorporating daily affirmations such as, “I am God’s child, and He is healing me” to replace negative self-talk, along with reflecting on scriptures like Romans 8:28.
As we confront trauma with God’s help, remember healing is a journey; we should not rush to reach the destination. Take time today to reflect on where you are in your journey, and believe that God will guide you every step of the way. Remember that setbacks are part of the journey. You may have days when you feel like giving up, but God’s grace will carry you. Trust His leading, and be gentle with yourself.
