I always held the narrow perspective that trauma was limited to extremes, that only car crashes and house fires qualified as 'traumatic.'
The reality is that trauma can be defined by emotional response to anything from the divorce of one's parents, childhood neglect and racism or abuse to earthquakes, grief and illness. Trauma occurs when stressful events exceed our coping skills and we are left feeling powerless.
The effects of trauma vary, but chronic anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common among traumatised individuals. Trauma can manifest in many ways (physical and emotional) and at any time, sometimes years after experiences.
After experiencing trauma, we are more likely to have abusive and unhealthy relationships and struggles with depression, self-esteem and addiction. What is easy and achievable for one person can be overwhelmingly stressful for someone with a background of trauma.
What is the difference when a Christian experiences trauma?
Can I promise Christians a faster recovery? No. Because the truth is that the Bible tells us that we will suffer on this earth as a result of the fall. We have not been promised perfect health and perfect lives here. Believers or not, we are fallen too and not immune to suffering.
Recovering from trauma is painful and difficult, whether a believer or not. The difference for a Christian though, is that they can look to Christ for comfort.
Does God love us less or is he punishing us when we experience traumatic events in childhood or later in life? Absolutely not. I would almost argue the opposite. God allows suffering to touch us that we might be humbled and caused to know His love for us more deeply.
He uses it to show us His love, so that we can see that He never leaves or forsakes us, that He does give us grace sufficient for the day: that He does provide. The times that I have felt God's loving embrace the tightest are when I was chronically ill and when the person dearest to me died.
When Christians experience trauma, we don't have to carry the weight of their pain alone. We're told to cast our burdens on the Lord, that He will sustain us.
When we are hurt, afraid, angry, or in shock, we can pour our hearts out in prayer, knowing that we are heard.
Hope is the difference
The difference for Christians is that we can put our hope in Jesus. Not only our hope that He may heal us and help us in our recovery, but more so, that we may be united with Him. We can look to Him with the knowledge that one day we will be with Him, complete in Him, satisfied in Him and suffering no more.
As we are told in the book of Revelation, chapter 21, verse 4, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
I pray that if you're reading this and you've had traumatic experiences lead to further suffering, that you would be deeply comforted by God's complete and unconditional love for you.
Nothing you have walked through can separate you from His love. Be encouraged to know that He knows your burdens and is with you. It is also okay not to be okay sometimes and absolutely okay to ask for help. We were not created to get through this alone.
Scarlett Jones resides by the seaside and loves reading, films, craft and quality time with friends and family.
Scarlett Jones' previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/scarlett-jones.html