trauma and the christian

Sometimes, we think we are stuck when we really have all we need to take action steps toward the future vision that we are trying to obtain.  Noticing what is in your hands and using it well may be all you need to stand up and move forward to your goals.

God gave you life and purpose, and today's Monday Scripture Meditation focuses us on both of these.  Meditation on Scripture can help with mental health, anxiety management, and bring peace to the soul and mind as well as reduce stress.  As we focus on God's truths, we gain clarity and rise above the things that are temporary on this earth for the things that really matter and last.

Today's Scripture meditation is based on the following Bible verses:

John 1:1, 1 Timothy 2:5, Acts 4:12, John 8:12, 1 Corinthians 6:19,1 Corinthians 3:16,Top of Form Revelation 3:20, 1 Corinthians 10:31, John 10:4-5, John 14:15, Isaiah 30:21, John 14:23, and Deuteronomy 28:1-68 .

We are all fragile vessels of clay, like pottery fashioned by the Master Artist.  When you feel weak or hurt mentally or physically, God can mend you and strengthen you to heal and mend even stronger than you can imagine.  He makes broken pieces whole and beautiful.  So, if you are looking to heal from anxiety or heal from mental illness or hurts, you are in God's capable hands.

Have you ever wondered why you behave, respond, or react the way you do?  It may very well have served you as a self-protective mechanism at one point in time, but does it still work for you, or does it cause more problems in your current life?  It may be the result of trauma in your past that isn't currently still happening, and so the coping skills may not work as they used to.  Listen in.

Do you hate winter and snow as much as I do?  Maybe you love it, but for today's episode, I ask you to suspend your enjoyment of it temporarily and come alongside me for my metaphor on what it's like to work toward healing for mental health.  You may feel like you are slogging through mounds or immovable snow or slipping on ice and not gaining any traction, but Spring will come.  Listen in.

Can trauma be healed?  If so, how can trauma be healed?

There are many facets to healing from trauma, and today's episode offers books with resources to help you learn more about trauma and various tools to help yourself with some skills to help heal some of the symptoms of trauma.

*For education and informational purposes only and not to be considered therapy or professional counseling.

Am I overreacting?

Why is this bothering me so much?

Why can't I stop thinking about this?

What is wrong with me?  

Why am I so upset?

These are common questions we might ask ourselves if we notice that our feelings or responses are heightened compared to what a situation might seem to warrant.  However, it makes sense through the lens of trauma.  With a trauma lens, we can travel back in time to learn of the hot buttons of the original pain points and simply notice and observe the thread of trauma that might need some help to heal.

If you suffer from anxiety, moodiness, anger, or deep hurt, you might want to listen in to learn how to identify your trauma story as your body remembers it.

Your nervous system remembers what your mind may not even recall in thought.

You might ask yourself, "How can I know if I have PTSD?"

Am I making more out of things than I need to, or should I seek out mental health therapy or counseling?

What are the signs and symptoms of trauma and PTSD?

In this episode, Michelle gives both the technical diagnostic guidelines and her own personal belief about why it isn't all there is to consider.  

Listen in to Mental Health for Christian Women.

What is dissociation?

Why can't I remember parts of my childhood?

Why does my mind go blank in the middle of a conversation?

Do I dissociate because I have been traumatized?

When you zone out, it may not feel so good, but it may just be your friend.

When you have trauma, overwhelming anxiety, and overwhelming input, your system may dissociate to help you survive. 

Listen in to learn more about trauma related dissociation.

Wouldn't it be great to be able to feel more present and calm when your mind, body, or emotions start to race?  

What would it feel like to be able to relax your nervous system from fight-or-flight and get it into rest and digest mode?

These 7 grounding techniques can empower you to be able to better manage your body and mind when triggered to panic or anxiety, when you experience dissociation, or when you have difficult emotions that overwhelm you.

Anytime that you are ready to do some mindful focus and relaxation, these tools are great skills to have in your mental health toolkit.  

As Christian women, being mentally healthy and sound is a benefit for ourselves, our families, and our relationship with God as well as living our the purposes He has created us to fulfill.

It's time for no more crazy, Lady!

Listen in.

Have you ever been to therapy and felt that the counselor just sat there and expected you to talk without offering real, meaningful solutions?

Do you instinctively know that something deeper than talking is needed to heal what you feel in your system?  You may be experiencing the effects of trauma.

Not only is the mind where memory is stored, but it is also stored in the emotions and physical sensations  of the body.    When trauma happens, memories aren't stored away all neat and easy like everyday things are. 

Trauma overwhelms the nervous system and can even change your perception of time.  

Trauma triggers can hijack your nervous system to believe that the threat is still happening, as it doesn't get filed away as a "past event."

If you've thought that there must be more to healing, today's episode will get you started on understanding why.