What about Post Traumatic Growth?
Is growth possible after trauma? Can people use the experiences of trauma to influence the world and their communities for good? What is post-traumatic growth, and how do we define it outside of a psychological realm of understanding, or can we?
First, the answer is yes, we can grow, and there will be beauty from the trauma, as you are transformed daily by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:1-2 says,
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (NKJV).
Let’s look at this expression from Victor Frankl who says, “In some ways, suffering ceases to be suffering, at the moment it finds meaning” (Man’s Search for Meaning). In the Bible, Job who was upright and righteous in the land of Uz, experienced tremendous suffering, losing everything, livelihood, cattle, children, everything, and yet he recognized that the LORD gives, and the LORD also takes away. Job found meaning in the turmoil, even before the hardships of suffering struck him and his family.
There is meaning in our suffering, and there is the ability to grow through the trauma, resulting in reframing our identity and understanding our sense of worth and value through the lens of the love of God.
As we are transformed daily, and sometimes minute-by-minute, we will be utterly changed from what we once were, into something more than beautiful in the sight and mind of our heavenly Father who loves us dearly. Do you believe this?
I know there will be days when we feel the crashing of the waves over us, and we attempt to keep our heads above the water to avoid drowning. I also know that we must cry out in desperation to the only One who can give us a hand up, and not a handout. Jesus reached out immediately when Peter cried, “Lord save me” (Matthew 14:29-31). Jesus asked Peter why he doubted after He pulled him up out of the water.
Listen, Jesus is asking you to fully trust in Him, for eternal life, and for miracles, for healing, for steadfastness, and for all areas of your life. He may not bring you healing, but do you trust Him in the journey? Job 13:15a, says, “even though He slay me, yet will I trust Him…” He is greater than the pain, and the dissociative nature of the trauma. He is our living Hope (see 1 Peter 1:3), and He wants to bring you peace through the storms, and the loud silences in the night. I know He is able.
We can grow in many areas as we learn to trust in the Lord, as we learn to renegotiate with our bodies and minds to bring them into a place of comfort and hope. I have PTSD, but it doesn’t have me. I struggle, but I have grown through the struggle.
Below are some areas where I have grown, and these same areas are still growth opportunities for hope to continue forward.
I can sleep better, although I still don’t sleep as well as I want. I know Jesus is with me and I don’t have to be afraid. Psalm 91:1-6 declares this,
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday” (NKJV)
What are you walking in still, where have you had growth? What do you need help with for healing to take place?
2. Another area of Post-traumatic growth for me - is recognizing the process will be painful, but the end result will be joy and healing with peace that passes understanding.
I am still learning how to have peace beyond understanding.
I am still waking up daily, and thanking God.
I still hurt in dreams at times, but can praise the Lord through them.
I encourage you, start a journal, no, seriously journal your daily thoughts, fears, anxieties, joys and triumphs. Then, as you are able, because some of those may be difficult, go back and read through the journal, embrace the difficult times, and rejoice in the victories, and know you are moving forward.
I will write more on this subject later, be strengthened in the journey as you move forward. The butterfly was transformed in such a manner where he is no longer what he was but is new, you are being transformed into a new creation.
Be blessed.