PTSD. A Christian Response
"Discover the transformative power of faith in overcoming PTSD. Explore the Christian response to trauma, rooted in the belief in Jesus Christ's liberating grace. Learn how to close the doors to guilt, paranoia, and flashbacks, and embark on a journey of healing and restoration. Find hope, guidance, and a path to abundant life through the teachings of Christ. Start your journey to a new life without trauma today."
For those who believe in Jesus Christ, it's crucial to recognize that Christ came to liberate us from the power of sin and its manifestations, including PTSD. His purpose is to eliminate condemnation, guilt, paranoia, and disrupt flashbacks, nightmares, and destructive behaviors. Unfortunately, many Christians suffer silently, unaware of what God accomplished on the cross. God, who created us in His image, understands our brokenness and possesses the ability to heal, restore, and deliver us, making all things new.
This power allows freedom from oneself, trauma, nightmares, flashbacks, and all the challenges the tormentor throws our way. Our goal is to assist our fellow believers in living a life of peace and joy, gifts freely given by Christ through the cross.
Please Note: This information is intended for Christians with faith in God through Jesus Christ.
Most cases of PTSD result from trauma, which can originate in childhood or through various break-in points, including:
- Military service: Veterans haunted by the horrors of war.
- Physical or Sexual Assault: Individuals victimized by physical or sexual assault.
- Childhood Abuse: Adults who endured abuse during childhood.
- Witnessing Violence: Those who observed violent or traumatic events.
- Accidents: People involved in severe accidents causing shock and trauma.
- Other traumas not listed, where a severe and lasting emotional shock occurred, such as divorce or family breakups.
God did not design the human body, mind or emotions to experience trauma or pain. He made us to worship Him, to live in peace and to be whole. Not to exist in broken parts with broken hearts.
Understanding Trauma
Trauma, defined as severe and lasting emotional shock and pain from extremely upsetting experiences, can lead to emotional wounds. Traumatic events, perceived as life-threatening or overwhelmingly distressing, leave lasting impacts on mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
The impact of trauma varies, with common reactions including:
- Flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, and voices.
- Nightmares and sleep disturbances.
- Guilt, paranoia, and emotional numbness.
- Irritability, fits of rage, and feelings of shame or self-hatred.
- Trauma may lead to dissociative identity disorder (DID) in some cases.
- Self-destructive behaviors and self-sabotage.
House Break in Analogy
For this we will use an image of a house, the person being the house. A trauma occurs. A break-in forces its way through the front door to the house. It then invades the house and all the rooms with unwanted occupants.
These occupants can manifest through different identities including PTSD and remains until it is removed. The main driving force behind PTSD is torment. This torment brings in his friends to live in your house (guilt, condemnation, hatred, anger, rejection etc.). You now have intruders in your house which now becomes complex. It’s never the one occupant but the many that cause havoc. They all need to be removed one by one, and this is where Christ comes in. He restores the house bit by bit, room by room. Until its just you and Him the Prince of peace.
The Key to Healing
For those experiencing PTSD, the key is removing intruders and restoring the house to its pre-trauma state. This process takes time and commitment in following Jesus Christ. Only Jesus Christ can heal the broken pieces of our hearts and free us from torment.
Root Problem Sin
All issues stem from sin, either our own or the effects of others' sin. Repentance, turning away from sin, and forgiveness are vital steps in the healing journey.
Closing Doors
Repentance closes doors.
Forgiveness, as commanded by Jesus means we are also forgiven our sins. When we forgive others and ourselves, we get rid of a huge burden. Believe the Gospel & Follow Christ. Jesus desires to heal at the root level, addressing the first break-in that shaped one's life and then the rest, this is a process.
Key Scriptures
Ephesians 6:12 reminds us of the spiritual battle we face, and 1 Corinthians 2:14 emphasizes the need for spiritual discernment.
Get Understanding. The Things of God
The Bible says this: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2.14
Be Encouraged.
You don’t have to suffer in silence, your family and friends do not have to suffer the torment you went through. Christ will help you get rid of the torment, the flashbacks, and the lies of the enemy.
John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
God forgives all, and Jesus went to the cross for that very reason. He loves you, and if you're reading this, He wants to heal your PTSD. A new life without trauma and a life in peace each day.
For more information, contact us or find a Bible-believing Church for discipleship and healing near you.