Word for Today....Post Traumatic Growth
Scripture: (35) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (37) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Romans 8: 35, 37
In ALL these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
The term "post-traumatic stress disorder" (or simply "PTSD”), refers to the psychological, social and biological distress that can debilitate people who have experienced life-threatening events. Not only military combat but also natural disasters, terrorist incidents or violent personal assaults (such as being shot or raped) can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder. There may be flashbacks and nightmares. Some have difficulty sleeping while others are unable to function in social or family life. PTSD is real.
Most of us know the term post-traumatic stress and probably know someone who suffers from the disorder. The person who can’t let go of what they went through in the past. However, just because PTSD is real doesn’t mean it has to affect us. Contrary to popular opinions, most people who survive trauma do not develop chronic mental health problems, lose the ability to function or find it impossible to bounce back in life. Research is being done into the two-thirds of people who DON’T develop PTSD from their suffering. Some people see spiritual development, stronger personal and spiritual relationships, greater personal strength and a deeper appreciation of life after experiencing a traumatic ordeal. There can be a positive change that comes about as a result of the struggle with something very difficult especially for those who understand that the trying of our faith worketh patience and to let patience have her perfect work. It is the devil’s desire to make us re-live these traumatic events over and over in our minds even after the actual event has long since been over.Some experts in the field of mental health are now using the term post-traumatic growth. People who display this characteristic are the people who emerge from severe life crisis feeling enlarged rather than diminished. Injury or illness, divorce or bankruptcy, relocation or loved ones death - each has the capability to crush or exalt, disorient forever or reorient to the people and things that matter most. Since God gave us the ability to overcome EVERY trial and test, it is through Him we are MORE than conquerors and nothing can hinder us, stop us, delay us, deter us or cause us to be traumatized because of our bad experiences. I may have been in a trauma but I refuse to be traumatized. God’s power is able to subdue any problem, any circumstance and any situation. We are in a new year with many new ideas, hopes and dreams. We can’t let what happened to us in the past year hinder us from getting to what God have already prepared for us this year. So no matter what conditions you faced in 2008, don’t let it stop your progress in 2009 because we are MORE than conquerors. Instead of looking for the symptoms of post-traumatic stress, let’s look for God to manifest our post-traumatic growth.
Be Blessed!
