“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].” 2 Timothy 1:7
There is a glimmer of hope in emerging from a traumatic experience. It’s crucial to recognize that the trauma we’ve endured serves as a marker leading us to an unknown territory. We are not meant to settle in these unfamiliar places, but sadly, trauma often convinces us otherwise. What we often overlook or forget in the midst of our pain is that every trauma has an Exit Door! Our trauma does not dictate our fate—we do. We must learn to push through and keep moving forward until we find that door. This signifies the start of our healing journey. We are saying a firm NO to letting our trauma become our new home. This demands that we confront our trauma, which can be challenging, especially when the weight of it feels relentless, striking us time and again. However, when the storm eventually subsides—and it will—we will discover an Exit Sign, prompting us that it’s time to go!
Some might think, “This is a great idea, but it’s too late; I’ve already made my trauma my home.” My question for you is, who says it’s too late? Christ gives us multiple opportunities to notice/find our Exit sign. We sometimes choose not to see, because we’ve grown comfortable where we are. Why is this? Because our trauma has become intertwined with our identity, the concept of “freedom” feels unwarranted. However, if we invite the Holy Spirit to step in, He will rescue us and guide us on the path to true freedom. Healing begins when we take the power away from our trauma by defying its purpose.
The Spirit of Trauma seeks to keep us trapped in fear and limitation. According to 2 Timothy 1:7, God does not desire for us to feel intimidated! Rather, the Holy Spirit empowers us with strength (to accomplish tasks), love (to nurture and show respect), and self-discipline (to guide us on the right path). These three aspects highlighted in scripture create a spiritual fortress that shields us from trauma and PTSD, equipping us with the necessary tools to move towards the Exit Sign! Christ never guaranteed that being a believer would be without challenges; instead, He warned us that we would face troubles and suffering (John 16:33, James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 4:12-13, 1:6-7, Rom. 5:3-5, 2 Timothy 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 3:3). However, this does not imply that we must dwell in those difficult places forever, nor did He suggest that we should make them our permanent residence!
Quick testimony on “Following the Exit Sign.” During a time abroad, I encountered several traumatic experiences, but surprisingly, the full impact of one of them caused trauma and PTSD that didn’t manifest until I returned home. The trauma created a sense of isolation, distracted me, and obscured my view of the positive things God was orchestrating beyond my pain. My triggers became more pronounced; hand sanitizer, the scent of lemon, large crowds, and even plain M&M’s were among the few things that set me off. When the overwhelm became too intense, I would curl up in a fetal position or seek refuge in a small space, crying. This turmoil led to nightmares and a sense of torment, making my behavior increasingly erratic. Each passing day felt heavier, and I came to a crucial realization: I had to choose between finding an exit or learning to coexist with my new trauma and PTSD.
Suddenly, I began to pray for the Lord’s healing and deliverance in my life. When I opened my eyes, I noticed my Exit Sign, and I understood what I had to do. I reached out to my intercession friends, asking them to pray for God to rescue me from this trauma/PTSD. As they prayed, they started to reveal memories I had buried deep, ones I had never shared with anyone. One insight led to another, and they kept coming until we affirmed that I was free, cleansed, and delivered. After this remarkable experience, God continued His healing work in me. The intercessors dismantled the spirit of Trauma/PTSD, and now it was my turn to continue walking in faith by allowing the Holy Spirit to clean away the remnants from my mind, heart, and spirit. It was a long journey, but the trauma lost its grip on me. I was set free and could finally break away from the mental and emotional weights it had placed on my identity. Slowly, I discovered the courage to share the miraculous things God had accomplished in my life without falling apart or panicking! Why? Because I was no longer bound by my trauma, fear, or PTSD. Now, it stands as a testament to God’s unwavering faithfulness! This was how the Lord liberated me, but it’s not the only way. The enemy has attempted to ensnare me in trauma multiple times, yet in every situation, I found the exit door in various forms, all requiring my obedience to His voice.
It’s important to remember that trauma can often lead us to believe we are fine. I urge you, regardless of the circumstances, to invite the Holy Spirit to inspect and reveal whether we are genuinely free or if we’ve allowed our trauma to become a place of refuge. The traumatic experiences we endure may feel like a sanctuary, but when we invite the Holy Spirit to intervene. He will reveal the truth of our circumstances, including any denial or coping mechanism that keeps us afloat. The key question is, “Do you desire to be completely free?” If so, ask Him to reveal any seasons in our life where we need to move from a place that shouldn’t be our home. Then ask Him to give you the faith and strength to move through the Exit door! Stop letting your trauma intimidate you! God is shaping us into becoming who He created us to be! The most wonderful part is: once you experience Him and encounter Him, nothing else can take His place!