Don't Feel Shame

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