The process of healing from trauma is a long, hard path. Trauma victims sometimes dissociate from the pain of their past. But the painful emotions must be felt for healing to take place. My second mom, Paula Reid, often reminds me that “You have to feel in order to heal.”
If you are currently going through trauma therapy, be prepared for waves of strong emotions to flood your soul. Do not despair; this is part of the healing process. May this blog encourage you to press on with your therapy despite the difficulties.
Reflections
After my last counseling session, I could feel the anger rising. A small disappointment escalated into burning anger. “Oh no, not this again,” I thought. It reminded me of Dr. David Banner from the 70’s Incredible Hulk series warning folks, “You wouldn’t like me when I am angry!” So much anger- where does it all come from?
I shared this experience with a friend who does counseling, and this is what she said, “This truly is the hardest part. It’s like walking through the muck and mire. Anger, sorrow, rage, and other intense emotions are all part of the healing process and are important to feel. It’s where our honest pain lies. Once we face it, the anger and grief will subside.”
Walking through the mire? Not my kind of hiking. I remember getting stuck at low tide in Morro Bay, CA. My husband and I rented a canoe for the afternoon which we rowed to an island for an adventure. When we returned from our exploring, we were shocked to see that the tide had gone out. We were forced to push our canoe through thigh hide mud. My heart raced as my legs sank into the mire. Fear of being engulfed by the muck filled my mind as we painfully trudged our way back to the deeper water. Thankfully, we made it safely to the dock and drove away grateful for God’s protecting hand.
Healing from trauma is messy. I have seen numerous counselors over my lifetime, but, sadly, many broken emotions continue to plague my life. Remembering the pain, the sadness, the confusion. . . it is very hard.
As we go through trauma therapy, we will feel overwhelmed at times by surges of intense emotion. How do we navigate through such a murky mess? Call out for help. Call out to the Savior. Call out to your spouse. Call out to a friend. Surround yourself with people who will pray you through to the other side of brokenness.
How are you feeling today? Are you feeling engulfed by burning rage or bouts of sadness? Grab my hand. Let’s keep trudging through the mire. Hope is leading the way, and healing is calling from just over the hill.
Psalm 40:2 “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”
Heavenly Father,
Sometimes we fear that we are going to drown in the mire of our broken emotions. Like Peter, our eyes get off of you and we focus on the waves around us. Grab our hand, dear Lord, pull us out of this pit of despair, and set us on the solid rock of your love.
In Jesus, the Solid Rock, we pray.
Amen.
This podcast has been helpful to me as I heal from trauma:
https://adamyoungcounseling.com/about-me/
healinghope4women 