Trauma & PTSD

What is Trauma?

Traumatic events are when a person experiences a threat of death, or injury to self or self concept, or a threat of self or someone else. Individuals and culture define and experience traumatic events in different ways, yet we respond relatively similarly. Trauma can overwhelm one’s capacity for stress and sense of control, connection, and meaning. Trauma is not necessarily the event, it is the response to the event. Trauma can lead to individuals leaning into behaviors such as drug and alcohol abuse, self harm, self-destructive behaviors, and negative self talk. We are healed not only by changing those behaviors, but removing the lie at the root of the behavior and replacing the neural pathway that leads us to that behavior. As it says in Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - His good, pleasing, and perfect will.”

God knows our hurt, and He hates the wickedness that caused such pain. He is on the side of the abused and oppressed, and he desires dramatic transformation. God sees our hurt and does not condone it, and we do not need to stay silent or bury the pain and trauma (Psalm 11:5). We can take comfort in knowing that God desires to give us peace, as it says in Romans 1:18, “He is close to the brokenhearted” and comforts us when we suffer. The world is unpredictable, but God is our refuge and firm foundation (Psalm 46:1-3). Jesus understands what it is to suffer. We do not worship a distant and unapproachable God, He knows what it is to be human (Hebrews 4:15). He suffered greatly for us, he was a complete innocent and still experienced hurt, and we can take comfort in that He knows our pain and desires us to come closer to Him even when we feel broken or damaged, we are precious and honored in His eyes (Isaiah 43:4)

Religious trauma is unfortunately experienced throughout the world where individuals are misrepresenting God and hurting others, as not everything that happens is the perfect will of God, but God heals and is close to the wounded. As it says in Proverbs 6:16-19, “There are six things the Lord hares, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a person ho stirs up conflict in the community.”  As stated above, trauma can lead to narratives of shame, but shame is not of God; our God is love, and nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:35-39). Good and bad days will come; it is all part of the healing journey. Trust in the Lord with all your heart (Proverbs 3:5), and know that His wrath is a righteous anger that fights for us with His Word and His Will. You are safe in His arms.

Stress Management

Stress can make dealing with trauma, depression, or anxiety more difficult - and sometimes it can feel inescapable and uncontrollable. It says in Matthew 6:34 “do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own”. Therapy can help increase awareness to what is causing your stress, as well as find strategies to mitigate this stress, such as finding healthier coping skills, going on a walk, reading a book, meditating on scripture, prayer, exercise, sleep, and more. It is important to engage in self care, which sometimes we can feel is selfish, but God cares about our well-being and that includes not only our minds, and spirit, but also our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We can engage in intentional prayer (Mark 1:35), spend time alone (Mark 6:31-32), and keep up with our needs (Matthew 15:32).

Book a consultation today for Trauma & PTSD with Zoe Community Counseling.  Call (312) 736-2060 or book a consultation online.