Trauma
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33
The Hidden Link Between Childhood Trauma and Illness
Have you ever stopped to wonder why your teen is struggling with anxiety, panic attacks, or even chronic illness and nothing seems to help long term?
What if I told you that some of the pain your child is feeling right now might actually be rooted in something much deeper than their present day experiences?
In this blog, we're going to explore the powerful yet often over looked connection between childhood trauma and long term illness. Whether you're a parent, caretaker, or someone on a healing journey yourself, this is something you need to understand.
A Quick Disclaimer Before We Go Further
I am not a doctor, psychiatrist, or therapist. What I share comes from real life experience, countless hours of prayer, and years of walking through healing with others. This blog is meant to open your eyes spiritually and emotionally not to replace medical advice.
What is ACE And Why Should You Care?
You may have heard the term ACE, which stands for Adverse Childhood Experiences. Ace was first introduced in 1998 through a groundbreaking study that revealed a shocking truth: early trauma doesn't just affect a child emotionally it often leads to chronic physical illness in adulthood.
Some examples of ACE include:
Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
Neglect
Witnessing domestic violence
Living with a parent that abuses drugs
Experiencing divorce, homelessness, or even natural disasters.
According to the CDC, over half of American adults have experienced at least one ACE. Even more alarming, 17% of those reported four or more traumatic events before the age of 18. And when the ACE score is 6 or higher, it can literally cut 20 years off a person's life.
Let that sink in.
What Science And The Spirit Are Telling Us
Scientific studies have confirmed that trauma impacts brain development, nervous system regulation, and immune response. But here's where many people stop.
From a spiritual perspective, I believe trauma doesn't just hurt us emotionally or physically it opens doors to spiritual oppression. And yes, sometimes even demonic influence.
Let me share a few real life stories.
There was a women at a conference who had sever arthritis. Her hands were twisted with pain, and she wanted to be prayed for. But the person prayer for her received a word of knowledge: her healing would only come if she forgave the person who had hurt her as a child. Sadly, she refused to forgive and her healing never came.
Then there's my dad. He lost both his parents and the age of 13. No one helped him process his grief. Instead, he turned to smoking and drinking and never stoped. Eventually, he died a sow and painful deaht from emphysema. What started as unprocessed grief opened the door to addition and disease.
And I'ved walked with children too. One 7 year old boy was forced to watch pornography by his own grandmother, a traumatic experience that not only shattered his innocence but also opened the door to sexual oppression. I worked with him for a year, alongside with his 15 year old sister who had also experienced trauma from parental divorce, her mother addicted to drugs, and being shufflled from one house to another. Both children made progress, but one parent refused to allow me to speak about spiritual matters. That resistance only made healing more difficult.
Traum Isn't Always Obvious
Not all sickness is demonic. But I've found that extreme levels of anxiety, panic, fear, and depression, especially when rooted in trauma, often have a spiritual component.
Here's a simple way to understand the difference:
Normal fear/anxiety: Feeling nervous before speaking on stage
Abnormal fear/anxiety: Feeling like you can't leave the house, go to school, or function. That kind of fear ins't just mental, it's spiritual.
I know this from personal experience. At 22, I was told that if I din't get my panic attacks under control, I'd have a stroke or hear attack before I was 23. But by hte grace of God, Jesus delivered me and I've been free for over a decade.
So What Can You Do As a Parent?
If you're reading this and wondering how to help your teen heal emotionally and spiritually, here's something you can start doing right now:
Take your relational authority back.
You have authority over your child until they reach the age of accountability (at least 18).
Anoint their space.
Get some olive oil, ask God to bless it, and anoint their pillow, their bedroom, and belongings while speaking scripture out loud.
Pray over their photo.
Lay hands on a photo of your child each morning. Speak to that spirit of fear and command it to leave in Jesus Name. There is no distance in the spirit.
Want More Personalized Support?
This is just the beginning. If you want help walking through this with your teen, I offer limited coaching spots each month. Each package is customized and Holy Spirit led to meet your child's specific needs.
If you're interested you can fill out the application HERE, and I'll be in touch. This may take a couple of days.
Contact: Fostering The Inner Child
