Trauma is one of the most difficult things to talk about.

We are afraid to speak about our own trauma and we are afraid to hear about others’.

It’s messy, scary and uncomfortable. But yet…we can recover from trauma!

There is no easy answer and no quick fix to the brokenness that results from trauma.

But we’re feeding a lie into our society that these things must be kept quiet. We are hurting the ones who are left to untangle the mess that trauma leaves behind.

We must bring these experiences into the light. We must encourage others to talk about it and find the courage to talk about it ourselves.

When trauma is brought into the light, it exposes these 3 lies that fuel the pain.

We can however, recover from trauma!

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Shame

The lie of shame settles deep within the hearts of those affected by trauma.

Shame is a belief that the events must be kept secret or else seldom talked about. It is the belief that because of the trauma there is something inherently wrong with the very essence of who you are.

This shame is a lie.

And this lie can only be overcome when brought into the light.

Shame is fueled by secrecy.

We must encourage others to find the strength to speak up about trauma. 

When trauma is so uncommonly discussed, those suffering from its effects feel the need to keep it hidden.

However, when shame is brought into the light, you will find that it slowly dissipates.

Because this shame is based on lies that have been webbed within your mind and the light exposes those lies.

If you are suffering from shame, I encourage you to find someone with whom you can share your struggle.

With God, you can recover from trauma!

When you do, you open the door to enormous healing.

I also encourage every member of the church to look to those around you. Your neighbors may be dealing with tremendous pain resulting from trauma.

Reach out and be that open door of encouragement with which God can help to heal the hurting.

Fear

Trauma breeds a lifestyle of fear.

One of the most common symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is fear.

Fear of the memories. Fear of the emotions. Fear of the triggers.

When we bring trauma into the light, it is possible to face it for what it is. Oftentimes, the trauma is in the past and, those who suffer fear the recurrence of something that will not happen again. And yet the fear persists.

This fear needs to be fought. The lie that the trauma will continue to overpower you needs to be brought into the light as well.

There can be healing. There is hope for a time when the past will stay in the past.

But this can only be found by bringing it into the light.

Facing what is most feared is the only way to overcome the fear itself.

We must encourage others to share their stories. We must create an atmosphere of Godly love and stand against the lies of Satan.

And as you find the courage to face those fears, you will find that it isn’t as scary as what it seemed when it was in the dark.

Isolation

The third powerful lie that stems from the secrecy and oppression of trauma is that you are alone in it.

This lie creates a cycle because of the secrecy most trauma victims live in.

You feel you must keep it a secret and so you don’t share. Because you don’t share, there is no validation or conversation of others who have experienced trauma. Because you don’t hear about others, you feel alone. Because you feel alone, you keep it secret.

This cycle is vicious. It is a cycle that cultivates isolation.

And yet the isolation is a lie. There are so many that have suffered the effects of abuse, neglect, war, and trauma. So many others suffer from the fears and the shame that seek to overcome trauma survivors.

You are not alone.

Don’t believe the lie that you must fight it on your own.

Reach out. Take a small step in opening your heart to the light.

We must be there to love and encourage those who are suffering. Don’t allow your neighbor to fall into the pits of isolation and pain. Open your arms and your heart to loving others.

It is only when trauma is brought into the light that the lies of shame, fear, and isolation can begin to fade into the past.

Overcoming trauma is possible.

Let’s stand together and be the body of Christ to those who are struggling with trauma.

And if you are struggling with trauma, God is reaching out to you. He wants to bring you healing and redemption.

You can recover from trauma, and God is the best solution to find healing!

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Nicole Kauffman is a wife, blogger and passionate follower of Christ. Her blog, Courage. Hope. Love. was founded to encourage, inspire and guide Christians to deeper hope and joy in the Lord. Nicole lives in Pennsylvania with her God-seeking husband and family. She is an aspiring author who loves to grow relationships, mentor, and explore the beauty of God’s creation all around. She’s hoping you will join her on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.