HEALING FROM CHILDHOOD TRAUMA
What is Childhood Trauma?
This is the emotional and psychological impact that occurs when a child experiences or witnesses overwhelming negative events.
Traumatic Events could include (Explain these in details)
- Neglect, violence (physical, sexual, psychological, emotional), exploitation, bullying.
- These can significantly disrupt a child’s sense of safety and control over their life and can have negative consequences even in their adulthood.
1st Part of healing exercise
In the Bible, we see examples of individuals who faced various challenges and traumas, including in their childhood. One important aspect of dealing with childhood traumas is turning to God for comfort and healing. E.g Joesph, Moses, David
Psalm 34:18 reassures us that “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit
Case Study: The Life of Joseph;
Give a background of Jospeh’s traumatic experience; Gen 37:3-28, 39:1-20
Consequences of Childhood Trauma (Explain these in details)
- Can affect physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being
- Can lead to; anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, difficulties in building and maintaining relationships, and even physical health problems.
- Adults who experienced childhood trauma may struggle with trust, forming healthy relationships, or coping with stress and emotions.
In spite of these, it is important to note that;
- God didn’t stop being God because bad things happened to you. if anything happens in your life, glory to God. Good or bad, it doesn’t change who he is.
- God doesn’t need you to be God but you need him to thrive. Without you, his status won’t change. When you come to this understanding, you will be humble and surrender to him regardless of the situation
- Let your joy be permanent regardless of your situation.
- As a dotk, your interpretation of trials must change James 1:2-4 if your faith isn’t tested, your endurance can’t grow. Your response to trials should be joy.
- Don’t waste your traumas. Your assignment can be birthed from your pain and past experiences. Explain
- Like Joseph, when traumatic happened in your life, the enemy thought he was burying a stone which won’t grow. Unknown to him, he was planting a seed that’ll blossom. That’s how you need to see your life.
- Those situations didn’t happen to you, they happened for you. Joseph was the most one of the most abused people in the Bible yet everything he went through prepared him for the place God intended for him.
- That trauma happened to produce something within you. Stop seeing yourself as a victim. You’re a victor.
- A father who molests his daughter is not the will of God but even at that, God knows how to take that situation and turn it around for good if you let him
- The lord can go into the depths of your soul and heal you.
- When God heals you, you can still have the memories of what happened but not the experience of the memory any longer.
- The holyspirit is not afraid of your darkness. God can seek you out in your darkness and make you his vessel. You’re not broken
- When you do not heal from your trauma, you’re giving the devil a chance to use you to be the reason for other people’s trauma.
- Everything starts with an experience, and every experience produces new thoughts, new thoughts produce a belief system, your belief is the story you tell and live
- Do not repeat the pattern. You owe your children a better life, you owe them a more stable environment to grow in than you had
Some Practical Steps to Heal from Childhood Trauma
It is important to remember that healing from childhood traumas can be a journey, but with faith in God and the support of others, it is possible to find peace and restoration.
- Pray: Begin by praying to God, acknowledging your struggles with forgiveness and asking for His guidance and strength. The name of the lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe.
- Meditate on Scripture: Spend time reading and meditating on verses about healing, forgiveness, and people who experienced trauma in the bible.
such as Colossians 3:13 make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others and Ephesians 4: 31-32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Allow God’s Word to penetrate your heart and transform your mindset towards forgiveness.
- Seek Counsel: Talk to a pastor, counselor, or trusted mentor about your struggles Proverbs 11:14, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”
- Surround yourself with people who love you
- Seek support from a community of believers e.g dotk
- Journal: Write down your thoughts, feelings, and prayers
- Forgive: Take practical steps towards forgiving those who have wronged you. Matthew 6:14-15, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
By actively engaging in these steps and surrendering your heart to God’s transformative power, you can seek His help in cultivating a spirit of forgiveness in your life.
Songs
- Christ alone, my hope is found
- Heal me o lord and I will be healed, save me and I will saved
- The blood of Jesus sets me free from childhood trauma, the blood
- This mountain, shall be removed by your spirit says the lord
Lessons to draw from the story of Joseph
Despite the challenges he faced, Joseph remained faithful to God and eventually rose to a position of power and influence in Egypt. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph reflects on his experiences and says, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
Importance of forgiveness; Despite being betrayed and sold into slavery by his own brothers, Joseph chose to forgive them and showed them kindness when he had the opportunity to seek revenge.
The power of resilience and trust in God; Throughout his trials and tribulations, Joseph remained faithful and trusted in God’s plan for his life. He did not allow his past traumas to define him but instead continued to serve God faithfully in whatever circumstances he found himself in.
The beauty of redemption and restoration; What his brothers intended for evil, God used for good, ultimately bringing about reconciliation and healing within his family.
The importance of practicing empathy and seeking to understand the perspective of the person who hurt us can help soften our hearts towards forgiveness. Remembering that we all fall short and make mistakes can increase our compassion towards others.
By following these principles and seeking God’s help, we can cultivate a spirit of forgiveness in our own lives and experience the freedom and healing that comes with letting go of past hurts.
God is compassionate and understanding towards those who have suffered, and He offers comfort and healing to all who seek Him.
Other Examples
The stories of Moses and David in the Bible offer valuable lessons and inspiration for our own lives, showing us how God can work through our struggles and challenges for His glory and our good.
From Moses’ story, we learn the importance of trusting in God’s plan and timing, even when we are faced with difficult circumstances. Despite being separated from his family and growing up in the Pharaoh’s palace, Moses remained faithful to God and eventually became a powerful instrument in God’s hand to deliver the Israelites from slavery. We can apply this lesson by trusting in God’s sovereignty and seeking His guidance and strength as we navigate through our own trials and tribulations.
From David’s story, we learn the value of resilience, humility, and reliance on God in the face of adversity. Despite facing rejection, betrayal, and persecution, David remained steadfast in his faith and dependence on God. He sought God’s guidance, found strength in Him, and acknowledged his own weaknesses and need for God’s help. We can apply this lesson by cultivating a humble and reliant spirit, seeking God’s wisdom and strength in all circumstances, and acknowledging our dependence on Him for guidance and provision.
By studying and reflecting on the stories of Moses and David, we can draw inspiration and encouragement to face our own challenges with faith, courage, and perseverance. Just as God worked in and through them to bring about redemption and victory, He can also work in our lives to bring healing, restoration, and purpose. Through prayer, seeking God’s wisdom in His Word, and leaning on His promises, we can apply the lessons from these biblical examples to our own journeys of faith and transformation.