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Three Practical First Steps Towards Healing

1/14/2023

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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Dealing With Disaster

1/12/2023

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If you have survived a disaster you are experiencing a strong emotional response. It is called trauma. It is common and normal for all who experience disaster.

Trauma is a response that overwhelms your ability to cope and causes feelings of helplessness.

It does not discriminate. You should not feel ashamed about the way you are reacting. Your reaction is part of God’s warning system that has been triggered telling you to seek safety and help. Help can be found in the practical and supernatural resources that are presented in this series. Here you will learn to address your fears, doubts and emotions, and how to recover emotionally and spiritually.

I am writing this series in conjunction with the Trauma Healing Institute (bit.ly/3Vhbz5t) who has given permission to use their resources.

Right now you may find it hard to believe that you can be helped and healed. But it is possible. There is a hope. There are many survivors. One is Jeremiah. He found hope in God.

The thought of my pain, my homelessness, is bitter poison; I think of it constantly and my spirit is depressed. Yet hope returns when I remember this one thing: The LORD’s unfailing love and mercy still continue, Fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise. The LORD is all I have, and so in him I put my hope. Lamentations 3:19–24

David is another survivor. He was betrayed and hunted like an animal. He described his trauma as being brokenhearted and crushed in spirit. But he has good news for you based on his experience.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

You may not feel that God is close to you right now. But he is.

Therefore, you can talk to him right now about your pain, your fear, your questions, your needs. He is listening and caring even if you don’t think he is.

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Worship in the Christmas story - Anna

1/11/2023

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And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. Luke 2:36-37

When life took a sudden unexpected turn seven years after her marriage, Anna responded with a life of worship in the temple. Instead of bitterness, she chose worship. No longer able to devote her life to her husband, she decided to devote her life to prayer and fasting in the temple. The Greek word for worship is the word latreia which describes the worship that is service to God.

May Anna’s story help you to respond to tragedy by making a commitment to serve God.

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A traumatic first year of marriage

1/9/2023

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While the first year of marriage can be filled with challenges, Mary and Joseph faced a unique set of adversities.

In addition to dealing with the implications of what some thought was an illegitimate birth, Mary and Joseph were trying to establish their home and learn to live with each other. Joseph was running a business which he was forced to leave behind. The trip to Bethlehem with Mary riding on a donkey must have been difficult. Where did they sleep at night? What were their meals like? What discomfort did she experience while in an advanced state of pregnancy?

And then they were not able to find a room but had to settle for a stable. Talk about emotional and physical stress!

Things got better with the exciting visit of the shepherds reporting the news of the angel’s proclamation. More comfort and affirmation of what God was doing came through the words of Simeon and Anna later during the visit to the temple. This was followed by the dramatic visit of the magi with their gifts. But then the relative stability of their lives was again interrupted when an angel warned Joseph of Herod’s desire to kill the child. Instructions were to immediately flee to Egypt! They obeyed that very night. Mary, Joseph and Jesus became refugees.

It is comforting to realize that God provided at every step of their dramatic start of married life. The gifts of the Magi even provided financial resources for their trip to Egypt. During this Christmas season you may be tempted to focus on your loss. But it is my prayer that this story will encourage you to look for God’s miraculous provision for you, even if your surroundings are dramatically changed.

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SWIRLS OF NURTURE

Three Practical First Steps Towards Healing

Don't Feel Shame

Dealing With Disaster

Worship in the Christmas story - Anna

A traumatic first year of marriage

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