Blog Archives

Things to Avoid After a Traumatic Experience

1/31/2023

Avoid making major decisions. We realize that in some cases you may have no choice. You may have to make a major decision. However, as much as possible, avoid making major decisions until you are in a better position to think clearly.
Avoid overuse of things you are using to cope. Be especially careful of how you are using alcohol, sleep aids, drugs, other people or other things.
Feelings of guilt about a lack of desire to pray or read the Bible. This is a normal reaction and does not mean that you have lost your faith. Don’t let that add to your worries or guilt. Other people will pray for you. That is why others are so important. As well, remember that God understands, as the verse below reminds us. Give yourself time to recover.

As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. Psalms 103:13-14

0 Comments

The Importance of Others in Helping You

1/30/2023

0 Comments

In the previous insight, we stressed the importance of connecting with others. An important part of connecting with others is being willing to ask for help if you need it or to accept the help that is offered. It can be hard to think clearly after a disaster. Others can help you think clearly.

Do not be ashamed to ask for help. Let me repeat the verse I shared in an earlier insight.
Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you [God]. Psalm 25:20

But you may not know how to ask for help. This is normal when we experience trauma.
Here is something that many have found helpful. Discuss the questions that follow below with someone or a small group. It will help all of you do three important things:

Find and think through your options,
Plan your next steps,
Resolve some of the problems you are facing,

QUESTIONS TO DISCUSS
What resources do you/we have?
What have you/we already tried? What was helpful or not helpful?
What are some other things you/we could try?
Who might be able to help you/us, even a little bit?
What seems like the most helpful next step?

This is a practical way of experiencing what we mentioned in the last insight: two are better than one, and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9)

0 Comments

Importance of Others in Healing

1/25/2023

0 Comments

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!

0 Comments

Simple Routines

1/24/2023

0 Comments

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)

0 Comments

Importance of Routine

1/15/2023

0 Comments

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.

0 Comments

<<Previous

SWIRLS OF NURTURE

Things to Avoid After a Traumatic Experience

The Importance of Others in Helping You

Importance of Others in Healing

Simple Routines

Importance of Routine

Author

Archives

Categories