Have You Experienced Trauma?

Trauma affects more people than we may realize, quietly influencing thoughts, emotions and behaviors long after they happen. Some develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after life-threatening experiences, while others carry lasting effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences Syndrome (ACES) rooted in childhood abuse or neglect. Yet many show remarkable resilience, navigating life without being overwhelmed by trauma. 

Understanding whether trauma still affects you may require carefully revisiting difficult memories to increase your self-awareness. Learning about trauma is an essential first step on the path to healing and recovery.

The Journey to Change

Change begins with an honest assessment of your resources and strengths. Internal resources include a positive attitude of victory over victimhood as well as a willingness to overcome self-sabotaging behaviors. External resources include a safe environment, healthy activities, and true friends who listen nonjudgmentally. Professional help is also crucial when needed. 

An essential resource in this journey of change is a close relationship with God. Yielding to His guidance helps us understand that our suffering carries profound meaning (Romans 8:18, 28; Hebrews 12:5-11). Even when God seems distant amid intense fear and pain, His presence remains constant and unwavering (Isaiah 41:10). This deep spiritual connection provides strength, hope and purpose throughout the healing process.

God designed us with the ability to care for ourselves (Matthew 22:39) and a natural drive to overcome adversity. He also intervenes when He knows we need extra help (1 John 5:14-15). Through daily prayer for His protection and guidance, combined with studying the Bible for wisdom, we become better equipped to face life’s challenges. We recognize that time and chance affect everyone, that not all traumatic experiences can be avoided, and that such trials are not punishments for being worse sinners (Luke 13:2-5).

The good news is that trauma symptoms can be reversed. With faith in God, professional counseling and strong friendships, I overcame two separate PTSD diagnoses. In fact, I transformed my adversity into victory by becoming a counselor to help others who have experienced similar suffering. 

Although impairment often lessens as shock and disbelief fade and courage is renewed, fear and emotional pain can linger. Moving forward and resuming a normal life frequently requires developing new coping strategies. Yet, resistance, pride and feelings of guilt or shame, combined with unhealthy coping methods, can interfere with both the healing process and fulfilling God’s purpose in our lives.

The Perfect Counselor

Jesus Christ is the perfect Counselor (Isaiah 9:6). Trust Him to guide you toward the best solutions for healing. Even when traumatic memories are repressed and physical symptoms persist, you don’t have to accept your discomfort or limitations when healthier alternatives exist. Filling your mind with hope-filled scriptures such as Philippians 4:13 can provide strength. Additionally, qualified professionals can offer help to unlock trauma’s crippling influence. 

Scripture describes a future end-time apocalypse involving catastrophic, extinction-level events so severe that without God’s intervention, no life would survive (Matthew 24:22). The survivors of this time will be a shell-shocked remnant of humanity who will enter the Millennium (Revelation 20:4, 6). As God’s spiritual firstfruits (Revelation 14:4), we will help these vulnerable people transition from trauma to God’s way of life. This is why it is imperative to address the impact of trauma in our own lives now, preparing ourselves to support others in the future.

Judy Markley is a member of the Spokane, Washington congregation. She is a broad-spectrum mental health counselor and a marriage and family therapist. As an integrative counselor, she works with different modalities as well as different client presentations and challenges. She has three years of concentrated experience working with alcohol and drug addiction in the justice system, supervising two offices presenting a nine-month intensive outpatient program as well as serving as a senior counselor. She has worked in the Center for Victims' Services, dealing with domestic violence as well as focused on women's issues recovering from abuse. 

Judy is competent in therapy for areas such as trauma, ACES, PTSD, adult ADHD, narcissistic and borderline personality disorders, premarital and marital therapy, substance and process addictions, parenting, depression and anxiety, and identity formation for teens.