How Should Christians Respond to Trauma
How Should Christians Respond to Trauma?
Many Christians who have gone through trauma probably questioned God as to why the trauma happened. Why does God allow it to happen, and struggle with anger against God for not stopping it from happening? Anger and betterness at the person who was involved in their trauma. These are all natural reactions for anyone who has something bad happen, causing fear and anxiety. I know, I was that person. I was a child, and an adult took advantage of me and I lived many years in anger toward not only the person who traumatized me but also my parents who did nothing on my behalf so when I say this I want to make sure that it is known that I am not saying what the person did was right but rather shed light on a few things. 1. Trauma is a door that is opened spiritually. 2. Anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness are an open door not only spiritually but also to your physical health. And 3. I want to pray for you to release these negative emotions.
1. Trauma
Nearly every person on the planet has experienced trauma, whether it was when we were a child or an adult, but when trauma happens, it gives the devil the legal right to come in and torment us. Even if you are saved. Yes, even if you’re saved. It’s called oppression, and when we experience trauma, it creates wounds in our souls. And when wounds are created, a demon comes in immediately, and that could be the spirit of fear or anxiety, and the torment to the person begins. I spent many years praying God would take it all away, the memories, the fear, and panic attacks, and I didn’t understand why I just kept being tormented. The torment was not just internal,l it was external as well. Feeling like something dark was always around me, seeing dark figures, having sleep paralysis, which was terrifying if you have ever had one. All these things pointed to me being oppressed, but because modern-day churches don’t teach this stuff, God took me through a learning process for years to understand that these things were more spiritual than mental. The Lord taught me through personal experiences that there needed to be deliverance, taking authority over what he had already given me through the Holy Spirit. But not only did I go through self-deliverance, but also through deliverance by other men and women of God, mentors of faith and spiritual maturity that had already walked the path I walked and knew exactly what to do. Through that process, I was delivered from the anger, bitterness, and hatred I had toward the person who caused me the trauma and the hurt, and the Lord healed me. I still have the memory, but without the pain.
2. Bitterness & Unforgiveness
The Bible says in Matthew 6:15, “But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses.” Not only does the Lord tell us this, but scientific research also shows that chronic anger and bitterness, and hatred activate the body’s stress responses. Particularly, the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. It can lead to elevated cortisol and adrenaline. Persistent inflammation and a weakened immune system. This can lead to later in life cardiovascular disease, diabetes, gastrointestinal issues, impaired wound healing, etc. So practicing forgiveness lowers blood pressure, heart rate, and stress, hormone levels, and this is all according to the University of Wisconsin and several others, which will be linked below. By truly forgiving that person or persons that hurt you, don’t see it as if you are letting them win, because it’s not about them, it’s about you. It’s about your heavenly father being able to forgive you. It’s about your health. Decide today that you want to fully surrender that anger, that bitterness, that unforgiveness to God and say, I forgive Lord. And if you feel at this moment that it is so hard to do, I get it. I had one person in my life who controlled me for 14 years, and it was a narcissistic type of control. And because of the relationship, I couldn’t get away from this person, and it took me surrendering to God and asking him to help me get rid of unforgiveness because it was so deep, and God is a loving God, he will help you. If you’re ready to forgive, I want you to say out loud, “I come out of agreement with the spirit of anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness, in Jesus' name.” Then read the prayer below out loud
3. Let's Pray
Father God, I speak to the spirit of anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness, and I command it to come out! In Jesus' name! I have come out of agreement with these spirits, so you must go NOW! In Jesus' name! You have no legal rights any longer. Any other spirits attached to the spirit of anger, unforgiveness, and bitterness must go along with them and go to the abyss to never return, in Jesus' name. Now, Holy Spirit, I ask that you come and fill me, heal me, heal all the wounds from the trauma, and make me new in you. In Jesus' name. I thank you, Father God, that you have delivered me and healed me. Now use me for the works of your Kingdom. In Jesus' name. Amen.
At any time during the prayer, if you yawn, your eyes water, throw up, feel heat, or anything out of the ordinary, that is a sign that you are being delivered. Sometimes people don’t have any symptoms, but they are still free. Believe in faith and continue to get close to the Lord. I have a 6 or 12-week coaching package that helps in rebuilding a relationship with God, getting to the roots of anxiety and fear, and breaking free, finding your purpose that God has for your life, and much more.
1:1 Coaching: Fostering The Inner Child
Free eBook: God's Truth About You
Email: Fostering The Inner Child
References
Sapolsky, R. M. Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers – Explains stress physiology and chronic disease.
Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K., et al. “Hostility and immune function: Relationships to stress hormones and inflammatory markers.” Psychosomatic Medicine, 2002.
Harris, A. H. S., et al. “Forgiveness, stress, and health: A 5-week intervention.” Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 2006.
Black, D. S., & Slavich, G. M. “Mindfulness meditation and the immune system.” Annals of the NY Academy of Sciences, 2016.
