Hope For Today

"Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

"For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

Trauma

An event that is traumatic and the after-effects of experiencing a traumatic event. These experiences are:

1. Physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening.

2. Have lasting adverse effects on a person's functioning.

3. Impacting mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.

Trauma is from experiencing an extreme event as a child in some point in a persons life. Whether it was physical, emotional, neglect, sexual or whether they themselves witness it happen to someone else. Trauma will make a person feel they are not safe even when they are. It can also lower ones self-confidence and self-esteem. It may be difficult to make friends or talk with others. It will be hard to control behavior and emotions. Trauma in a person's life can cause symptoms of stress within their body also. Overwhelming feelings of fear and anger and helplessness is also results of trauma. It could be mild or it could be toxic. This stress leaves a lasting effect throughout their life and takes away the normalcy of living life to the fullest degree. One cannot enjoy a day without having panic attacks or feelings of dread; being on medication, or being withdrawn from society and family without worrying when the next attack of panic will be. Toxic stress which is excessive activation of stress which effects a child's developing brain, and immune sytem, metabolic regulatory systems, and cardiovascular system. Toxic stress interferes in an child's life into adult life with the long struggles which triggers PTSD. These triggers can be devistating and can cause so much dread in this person that they feel that their life is hopeless. When they feel hopeless they feel God allowed it to happen to them, and then they turn from God.

P T S D

Post Tramatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

Most people who go through traumatic events may have temporary difficulty adjusting and coping, but with time and good self-care, they usually get better. If the symptoms get worse, last for months or even years, and interfere with your day-to-day functioning, you may have PTSD.

Diagnosis of PTSD requires exposure to an event that involved the actual or possible threat of death, violence or serious injury. Your exposure can happen in one or more of these ways:

You directly experienced the traumatic event.

• You witnessed, in person, the traumatic event occurring to others
• You learned someone close to you experienced or was threatened by the traumatic event
• You are repeatedly exposed to graphic details of traumatic events (for example, if you are a first responder to the scene of traumatic events)

You may have PTSD if the problems you experience after this exposure continue for more than a month and cause significant problems in your ability to function in social and work settings and negatively impact relationships.

Negative changes in thinking and mood

Symptoms of negative changes in thinking and mood may include:

• Negative thoughts about yourself, other people or the world
• Hopelessness about the future
• Memory problems, including not remembering important aspects of the traumatic event
• Difficulty maintaining close relationships
• Feeling detached from family and friends
• Lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Difficulty experiencing positive emotions
• Feeling emotionally numb

Changes in physical and emotional reactions

Symptoms of changes in physical and emotional reactions (also called arousal symptoms) may include:

• Being easily startled or frightened
• Always being on guard for danger
• Self-destructive behavior, such as drinking too much or driving too fast
• Trouble sleeping
• Trouble concentrating
• Irritability, angry outbursts or aggressive behavior

Overwhelming guilt or shame. 

"She can feel it coming. The attack is on the way. Why? Why does this have to happen? The day for her was going well so far, she was enjoying the day; the beautiful day. Enjoying her moments with her friends, going on a car ride when suddenly something she saw triggered her emotions and caused her panic. Her heart is palpitating too fast and her fingers become numb. The adrenaline came on quickly as if she was bracing for an instantaneous action. Her head swims with severe emotions. Her mind becomes confused, overwhelmed, and overbearing. 'I'm safe, I'm safe! Calm down! I don't need this!' She tells herself. Her body becomes tense and begins to ache with agony. Every muscle burns within her. Paranoia and dread sets in. Something terrible feels as though it's going to happen. She isn't sure if this is going to be a long attack this time or a short one. Her breathing is taken from her as though she was punched in the stomach. She begins rocking back and forth while her mind begins disassociation. She feels this is her last moment on earth. She's going to die, she feels. It's all over. But being as strong as she can, she tries to focus on something else to detour her away from the extreme attack. It's not working. Each attack becomes more overwhelming than before. She feels as though she is not in her own body. She detaches from herself and feels her body is not her own anymore, that she is a stranger in her own form. Who is she at this point? Though she doesn't bring thought to the reason for these attacks, they remind her each time that she is a victim. A victim of cruelty, heartless acts that were forced upon her along with threats of no one believing her over the perpetrator. For she is only a child, only a small piece of this world that no one will act in saving her. Threats that will hurt those she loves. What could she do but bear them alone; bottle them up inside; and hope for a savior of some sort to come to her defense. But where was that savior? Now she daily must relive these vile attacks against her not because she is still a victim in the physical sense, but in the emotional, mental sense that reminds her every day of how low, how dirty, how disgusting she is. Will she ever get over it? Will her mind ever stop being the bully of the past and let her just go on and live her life the best way she can? How long must she ride this one out? How much longer must this torment her? Her brain seems to want to keep her from life, enjoying what God gave her to enjoy by reminding her that her life is now only allowed to live each passing memory of torment, as if to say, "Who says we can enjoy this beautiful sunny day; who says we can forget about what we experienced before? How could you even think I would let you forget what we went through.

This is the mind with PTSD.

These are some of the things that can help, but there is something better...

Treatment

Post-traumatic stress disorder treatment can help you regain a sense of control over your life. The primary treatment is psychotherapy, but can also include medication. Combining these treatments can help improve your symptoms by:

Teaching you skills to address your symptoms

Helping you think better about yourself, others and the world

Learning ways to cope if any symptoms arise again

Treating other problems often related to traumatic experiences, such as depression, anxiety, or misuse of alcohol or drugs

You don't have to try to handle the burden of PTSD on your own.

Psychotherapy

Several types of psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, may be used to treat children and adults with PTSD. Some types of psychotherapy used in PTSD treatment include:

Cognitive therapy. This type of talk therapy helps you recognize the ways of thinking (cognitive patterns) that are keeping you stuck — for example, negative beliefs about yourself and the risk of traumatic things happening again. For PTSD, cognitive therapy often is used along with exposure therapy.

Exposure therapy. This behavioral therapy helps you safely face both situations and memories that you find frightening so that you can learn to cope with them effectively. Exposure therapy can be particularly helpful for flashbacks and nightmares. One approach uses virtual reality programs that allow you to re-enter the setting in which you experienced trauma.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR combines exposure therapy with a series of guided eye movements that help you process traumatic memories and change how you react to them.

Your therapist can help you develop stress management skills to help you better handle stressful situations and cope with stress in your life.

All these approaches can help you gain control of lasting fear after a traumatic event. You and your mental health professional can discuss what type of therapy or combination of therapies may best meet your needs.

You may try individual therapy, group therapy or both. Group therapy can offer a way to connect with others going through similar experiences.

Forgiveness is Healing

In the prayer ministry when people have asked to be prayed with for healing of hurts and pains, it have been found that prayer could not relive their pain until they were willing to forgive others. Pain will not leave when they were prayed for; but when asked to forgive someone against whom the person held a grudge, the pain disappears immediately as the person was articulating the forgiveness. When a person says they can never forgive the person that hurt them, the pain they suffer only grows, for that unforgiveness swells into anger and hate. And the longer the anger and hate festers in that person's heart, the more intense the suffering becomes. Then there is a subconscious resentment toward God. But the realization must be that God is perfect and can do not wrong. Many people say God did not save me or allowed this to happen to me. But we all must go through lessons in life. Some lessons are severe, while others are mild. If we are living a life that is not by the will of God, our lessons we are taught are hard and are taught so that we depend on Him through anything we endure. But without forgiveness, we allow these barriers for healing to keep the hurt and pain alive and strong.

The Scripturs say; "And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may fogive you your trespasses." Mark 11:25.

When you pray forgiveness for those who have hurt you, Jesus will be able to help you in your healing process.

Pray:

"Lord Jesus, I pray for the grace of forgiveness for the ONE PERSON in life who has HURT ME THE MOST. I ask to forgive anyone who I consider my greatest enemy, the one who is the hardest to forgive or the one who I said I will never forgive. Thank You, Jesus, that I am being freed of the evil of unforgiveness. Let Your Holy Spirit fill me with light and let every dark area of my mind be enlightened. AMEN."

INNER HEALING

Inner healing is the healing of the inner man: the mind, the emotions, the painful memories, the dreams. It is the process through payer whereby we are set free from our feelings of resenetment, rejection, anger, self-pity, depression, guilt, fear, sorrow, hatred, feelings of inferiority, condemnation, or worthlessness. Inner healing is the renewing of your mind.

Jesus is the Healer of hurts and is the Setter of the captives to freedom. Jesus is the Comforter of the broken hearted. All you need is Jesus. Submitting to Him is the only way to freedom of ALL hurt, pain, suffering, detatchment of self.

Jesus is the only one who can heal our memories, and through inner healing, He will, IF...

1. We want to be set free from Satan's bondage.

2. We want our memories healed.

3. We want to be made whole.

4. We want to stay whole.

He cannot help those who want to stay in the past and keept the injuries of old and being martyrs; But if we want to be made whole, if we really want that inner peace, He is able and faithful to give it to us. "For He has rescued us out of the darkness and gloom of Satan's kingdom and bought us into the kingdom of his dear Son, who bought our freedom with His blood and forgave us all our sins."

Our enemy is our offender. He keeps record of all our "weak" spots, or "sore" spots, our failures, our embarrassments, our fears. He is 'walking about as a roaring lion seeking whom he will devour.' but with Jesus as our Comforter, our Healer, our Physician, our Psycologist, our Saviour; the enemy is just ashes under our feet.

Forgiveness works! Inner Healing Works! They bring healing and freedom. When we forgive and when we ask Jesus to heal our painful memories, this brings new life and peace of mind and heart.

We don't understand why some things are allowed to happen. But these things we do know:

1. God loves us.

2. He wants to heal all our emotional hurts.

3. He wants to forgive all who hurt us.

4. He wants us to praise Him.

He wants us to remember also, if we forgive ~ healing is on its way ~ physical, emotional and spiritual.

References: Forgiveness and Inner Healing by Betty Tapscott and Robert DeGrandis, S.S.J. ~

Mayo Clinic

"Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires." Psalm 51:10

"He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in Him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord." Isaiah 26:3

"Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead." Philippians 3:13

"His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Vhrist Jesus." Philippians 4:7

Forgiveness works! Inner healing works! They bring healing and freedom. When we forgive and when we ask Jesus to heal our painful memories, this brings new life and peace of mind and heart.

God wants to heal your most painful memories. We don't understand why some things are allowed to happen. But these things we do know:

1. God loves us.

2. He wants to heal all our emotional hurts.

3. He wants us to forgive all who hurt us.

4. He wants us to priase Him.

He wants us to remember also, if we forgive - healing is on its way - physical, emotional and spiritual.

God knows when you are hurting and He wants to heal that hurt. if you've lost someone through death or divorce. . . If you feel rejected, unloved and inferior. . . If you have deep feelings of fear, depression, resentment, anger, guilt, etc. . .

If there is someone you find it hard to forgive. . . . remember, God knows all about those wrong attitudes and those hurts. He wants to give you peace of mind and heart. John 14:27 says: "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Open your heart to Jesus, to His Holy Spirit, to the Father.

1. Let the sweet Spirit of forgiveness flow through you to others.

2. Let the Lord heal your painful memories.

God loves you and wants to heal you _ spirit, soul and body. Remember, forgiveness and healing of memories bring peace of mind and heart. Praise the Lord!

Isaiah 53:5; "He was wounded and bruised for our sins. He was chastised that we might have peace; He was lashed - and we are healed."

Romans 12:2; "Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. . ."

Matthew 6:14-15; "Your heavenly Father will forgive you if you forgive those who sin against you; but if you refuse to forgive them, He will not forgive you."

Luke 4:18-19; "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me. . . He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted and to announce that captives shall be released and the blind shall see, that the downtrodden shall be freed from their oppressors. . . "

Isaiah 9:4; "For God will break the chains that bind His people and the whip that scourges them. . . "

Helping Someone During a Panic Attack

Overview

If someone you know has a panic attack, they may become very anxious and not think clearly. But there are things you can do to help:

* Stay with the person and keep calm.

* Move the person to a quiet place.

* Ask what the person needs.

* Speak to the person in short, simple sentences.

* Be predictable, and aoid surprises.

* Help the person focus.

Ask the person to repeat a simple, physically tiring task such as raising his or her arms over the head.

* Help slow the person's breathing

You can do this by breathing with him or her or by counting slowly to 10.

* Know what to say.

It is helpful when the person is having a panic attack to say things such as:

* "You can get throught this."

* "I'm proud of you. Good job."

* "Tell me what you need now."

* "Concetrate on your breathing. Stay in the present."

* "It's not the place that is bothering you; it's the thought."

* "What you are feeling is scary, but it's not dangerous."

* "Can I pray for you?"

By using these tips, you can help:

* Reduce the amount of stress in this very stressful situation.

* Prevent the situation from getting worse.

* Put some control in a confusing situation.

Helping over the long term

If someone you know is getting treatment fo panic disorder, you can offer ongoing help as the person takes steps to recover from it.

Here are some things you can do.

* Allow the person to proceed in therapy at their own pace.

* Be patient.

Praise all efforts toward recovery, even if the person isn't meeting all of the goals.

* Stay calm.

* Don't panic when the person panics.

* Accept the current situation.

* But know that it won't last forever.

* Take care of yourself.

* Remember that it's okay to be concerned and anxious yourself.

When a person has panic attacks, the entire family is affected. If someone in your family has panic attacks, you may feel frustraded, overworked, or socially isolated. These feeligs are common. Family therapy, a type of counseling that involves the entire family, may help.

* Exposure therapy in which subjects face their memories in a safe space.

* Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), which addresses thought patterns

Some therapists use a relatively new therapy called eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). It may be helpful for complex PTSD too. In EMDR, the subject remembers a trauma while following a bilateral stimulus (one that switches from one side of the body to the other" that leads to a back - and - forth eye movement. The stimulus could be one they see such as a finger moving back and forth or a sound. EMDR is effective for PTSD, but experts debate if the bilateral stimulation is really important or if the process could happen without it.

What to Know About Complex PRSD and It's Symptoms

You may not be familiar with complex PTSD, sometimes know as c-PTSD. Complex PTSD is caused by prolonged or chronic trauma. Those with complex PTSD usually hae a least someof the symptoms of PTSD, but they could also have other symptoms.

Most people experience at lease one traumatic even during their lives, and about a fourth go on to develop PTSD. No one knows how many people have complex PTSD.

Symptoms of PTSD usually fall into three categories.

Re-experiencing symptoms. Flashbacks and nightmares are probably the best-know PTSD symptoms. Memories of the trauma may trigger powerful emotions. The person may relive the sights, smells, and sounds of the traumatic event.

Sense-of-threat symptoms. Those with PTSD often feel that they must be on their guard. They ay be hypervigilant (over aware of their surroundings), jumpy, and easily startled.

Avoidance sypmptoms. Those with PTSD spend a lot of energy avoiding triggers - people, places, or sitrations that remind them of the trauma they experienced. They may self-medicate with drugs or alcohol.

What is Complex PTSD?

Besides the symptoms of PTSD, those with complex PTSD may also have other symptoms.

Problems with self-esteem. Those with complex PTSD may feel worthless or blame themselves fo their trauma. They may belive bad things happen because of something in them.

Emotional dysfunction. Those with complex PTSD ofen experience intense emotionis, which are sometimes inappropriate. Besides anger and sadness, they may feel like they're living in a dream. They may have trouble feeling happy.

Relationship problems. Complex PTSD can make it difficult to trust others. Some people stay in unhelthy relationships because the situation is familiar. If their trauma involved abuse, their feelings about their abuser may be complicated. Or they may obsess about their abuser or focus on revenge.

WebMD Editorial Contributors

A Christian Approach to Complex PTSD

Living with C-PTSD can be challenging. The emotional intensity that accompanies the disorder can feel totally overwhelming, so it's no wonder that C-PTSD sufferers often struggle to cope with everyday life. Learning coping strategies is essential and there are a number of effective strategies that people with C-PTSD may find helpful.

These include:

Distraction Techniques:

* Listening to calming music

* Calling a friend.

* Studying the Bible.

* Reading a book.

* Going for a walk.

* Playing with a pet.

Soothing Techniques:

* Taking a hot bath

* Practicing mindful breathing

* Prayer

* Wrapping up in a soft, warm blanket

Balancing Techniques:

* Grounding exercises

* Reaching out to a therapist

* Cognitive-behavioral thought management

How Can the Bible Bring Hope?

Finding comfort in the pages of the Bible has helped many people with C-PTSD cope with flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive thoughts and general fears. Bible verses that remind one of the stength and comfort that can be found in Christ are particularly helpful. These types of Bible verses remind us that no matter what we face, God is with us at all times and we can trust in His everlasting love.

How can Christian Counseling Help? 

A Christian counseling can be especially effective when past abuse has left a person feeling that there's no one who can understand the depth of their pain. Bringing Jesus into the midst of the sessions can serve as a reminder that He does understand and He longs to help His children be set free from the shackles of their trauma. Involving God in the healing journey can bing a significant amount of comfort to someone struggling with C-PTSD.

https://seattlechristiancounseling.com/articles/a-christian-approach-to-complex-ptsd#:~:text=Finding%20comfort%20in%20the%20pages,in%20God%20are%20particularly%20helpful.

The Word of God says; "Blessed be God, even the Father of our ord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercieds, and the God of all comfort; Who comforterh us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.

"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." John 14:18.

"In the multitude of my thoughts within me Thy comforts delight my soul." Psalm 94:19

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26.

"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4

Allow the comforter to help remove the bad memories of the past out of your thoughts; Out of your mind. Give all to Jesus and He will fill your heart with joy and your mind with peace. Amen.

WORK FOR THE CHILDREN

"But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14

Wherever the Saviour went, the benignity of His countenance and His gentle, kindly manner won the love and confidence of children. . .

One mother with her child had left her home to find Jesus. On the way she told a neighbor her errand, and the neighbor wanted to have Jesus bless her children. Thus seeral mothers came together, whith their little ones. Some of the children had passed beyond the ears of infancy to childhood and youth. . . But He waited to see how the disciples would treat them. When He saw them send the mothers away, thinking to do Him a favor, He showed them their error, saying, "Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God." He took the children in His arms, He laid His hands upon them, and gave them the blessing for which they came."

God wants every child of tender age to be His child, to be adopted into His family. Young though they may be, the youth may be members of the household of faith, and have a most precious experience. . . . Christ will make them little missionaries. The whole current of their thoughts may be changed, so that sin will not appear a thing to be enjoyed but to be hatred and shunned. . . . The Lord will give an experience to these children in missionary lines.

We may bring hundreds and thousands of children to Christ if we will work for them.

The children should be so educated that they will sympathize with the aged and afflicted and will seek to alleviate the sufferings of the poor and distressed. They should be taught to be diligent in missionary work; and from their earliest years self-denial and sacrifice for the good of others and the advancement of Christ's cause should be inculcated that they may be laborers together with God. My Life Today Ell