Processing Trauma

“Don’t be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering” I Peter 4:12

Trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience. It is sometimes a response to a single event, or it may be a response to a series of experiences which negatively impact our nervous systems.

What is the Natural Response to Trauma?

In general terms, most people respond to the immediate impact of traumatic events in one of three ways:

• Fight: respond with self-defense, directly confronting our perceived threat
• Flight: retreat from the threat with as little cognitive response as possible
• Freeze: inability to process or cope; unable to make decisions

Traumatic experiences affect each system of our being: cognitive, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual.

What are the Best Ways to Deal with Trauma?

We will all face trauma from time to time. When we are ready to engage the process of healing, God will partner with us on that journey.

• See a Christian counselor.
• Get plenty of sleep.
• Practice good self-care.
• Exercise.
• Pray.
• Build a solid support group.
• Journal about your feelings.
• Make no big decisions in the short term.

What Does God have to Say about Trauma?

• Fear not. (Isaiah 41:10)
• We live in a fallen world. (Romans 5:12)
• What God allows, He will redeem. (Romans 8:28)
• You are not alone. (Isaiah 41:13)
• He will never leave you. (Deuteronomy 31:8)