Blog Archives

Importance of Others in Healing

1/25/2023

Look for ways to connect with others. You may feel like being alone but it is important to look for ways to connect with others, Connecting with others will help you recover. Isolation will slow your recovery.

Scripture reminds us of the importance of others.
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up . . . 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Of course, it is important to be cautious and think about how connecting with someone affects you. Not all connections may be good for you. Monitor the effects on you. If the negative effects are great, you may want to reconsider. But because you may be with others that are also experiencing trauma, some negative effects are to be expected.

Connecting to others is a risk worth taking even when you don’t feel like doing it. It will help your healing!

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Simple Routines

1/24/2023

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Routines help restore a sense of control and order.
Simple routines to organize your day can include:

Waking up at the same time every day
Showering or dressing as if you were going out
Dressing for the day (even in casual and comfortable attire)
Eating at regular times, even if your food options are limited
Exercising! Keep to a daily schedule
Limiting your use of electronic devices or TV time
Going to bed at the same time each night
Making your bed the same way every day
Reading your Bible at the same time(s) each day
Expressing your feelings and desires to God at regular times. Two of the best times are when you wake up and when you go to sleep.

Various routines of talking to God regularly are found in the Psalms. When I did a count recently I found at least ten instances where the Psalmist talks about his routine of talking with God each day. David’s routine included three times each day: morning, evening, and even at noon.

But I call to God, and the LORD will save me. Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice. Psalm 55:16-17 (ESV)

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Importance of Routine

1/15/2023

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Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I entrust my life. – Psalm 143:8

Establish routines in your life. They may all have been destroyed. Try to reestablish any routines you can from before the event, no matter how simple or small. Even one simple routine will begin to make a difference. Or if that is impossible, establish a new routine.
Routines are important and especially for children. Each routine that you establish will help reduce the feeling of chaos that the disaster has created.

Even the simplest routine will help your mind focus on something other than the traumatic memories and present anxieties. As part of a routine, try to complete a small project or task. Every bit of accomplishment, no matter how small, will begin to push back against the overwhelming sense of loss. Each completion will help restore some sense of control and order.

Start small but start today! Even one small step is a step forward. Even the longest journey begins with one step.

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Three Practical First Steps Towards Healing

1/14/2023

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It is wonderful to know that we do not need to feel shame with God. God is close to the brokenhearted. But it is also important to know that we can do something to make a difference.

But where does one begin when one feels overwhelmed? Survivors will tell you that it is important to begin with simple practical things. They are so simple that you may not think they are important or that they will help. But you need to trust survivors who say that although healing will take time, these practical things will help you recover more quickly.

Do whatever is within your power and control to take care of your body in three ways.

Eat the best that you can.
Use every opportunity to exercise.
Get as much sleep as you can. If you have trouble sleeping, getting more exercise or doing more physical work during the day may help reduce stress and allow you to sleep better. Health professionals all agree that physical activity helps your body produce chemicals and hormones that will help you cope better.

As much as possible make these three items a priority.

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Don't Feel Shame

1/13/2023

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When we experience a stressful, frightening or distressing event, it is normal to be overwhelmed with intense fear, confusion and helplessness.

Immediately after the event, shock and denial are typical. Longer term reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, fearful and strange thoughts, strained relationships, and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea. This is trauma.
**Trauma is a deep wound of the heart and mind that takes a long time to heal. But healing is possible.**

Trauma hurts every part of us: our relationships, our bodies, our thoughts, and our faith. It is the feeling that no light will ever push back the darkness that seems to suffocate us.

**Trauma can cause us to have feelings and do things that we never imagined we would do.**
It makes us weak. You may feel shame that you are weak and must now accept help from others.

**It is important that you understand that this is not occurring because you are weak or flawed.**

Remember, it is not your fault you are in this situation. You should not feel shame because God is not ashamed of you. Through the psalmist God reminds us that there is no shame when we take refuge in Him.
In you, LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. Psalm 71:1
Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. Psalm 25:20

You can take refuge in him by talking honestly and simply to him.

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SWIRLS OF NURTURE

Importance of Others in Healing

Simple Routines

Importance of Routine

Three Practical First Steps Towards Healing

Don't Feel Shame

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