Kathy Shares:
As Christians, we sometimes believe that we shouldn't be affected negatively when we experience emotional or psychological trauma. The Bible is very clear when it says in Psalms 23 that "though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil..." Fear is our greatest enemy, and it causes us to think we'll remain in that state forever. "Though I walk..." There is movement. It may be slow, but it's still true that we can heal and move past the trauma. I found @ http://www.helpguide.org/mental/emotionalpsychologicaltrauma.html. Here are some quotes from it: "Emotional and psychological trauma is the result of extraordinarily stressful events that shatter your sense of security, making you feel helpless and vulnerable in a dangerous and difficult world. "Traumatic experiences often involve a threat to life or safety, but any situation that leaves you feeling overwhelmed and alone can be traumatic, even if it doesn't involve physical harm. It's not just the objective facts that determine whether an event is traumatic, but also your subjective emotional experience of the event. The more frightened and helpless you feel, the more likely you are to be traumatized. "An event will most likely lead to emotional or psychological trauma if: It happened unexpectedly. You were unprepared. You felt powerless to prevent it. It happened repeatedly. Someone was intentionally cruel. It happened in childhood. "Emotional and psychological trauma can be caused by single-blow, one-time events, such as a horrible accident, a natural disaster, or a violent attack." Kathy's Note: Trauma can also stem from ongoing, relentless stress, such as being married to an addict, living with cancer, or being in a household of constant anger, threats, abuse (physical, emotional, and/or sexual), etc. "Not all potentially traumatic events lead to lasting emotional and psychological damage." We are all "fearfully and wonderfully made" by a loving God. Our life experiences and our faith walk with the Lord will determine how effectively we recover and how long that recovery will take. I know that it often takes me longer to get over hurtful situations than my husband. I don't see that as right or wrong, but just as different. God will carry us in His arms for as long as it takes us to become surefooted enough to walk beside Him. Jesus is faithful! Won't you work at trusting him with your pain and sorrow so you can heal and move on in freedom and joy?
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Just recently I was reading a declaration I had saved for years and had forgotten. It was to be my declaration. I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of His. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, slight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by His Presence, learn by faith, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power. My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, and my way is rough, my compassions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, and ponder at the pool of popularity. I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me – my colors will be clear. |
Richard and Kathy Harrison have been counseling couples for almost two decades. As former Pastors, they started Touching Hearts so that they could serve married couples full-time through counseling, speaking engagements, and conferences. Richard and Kathy's unique story has given them a particular passion for marriages. On a personal note, Richard and Kathy have been married for over 40 years, have 4 children and 8 grandchildren. Archives
April 2018
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