Victim No More: Healing Trauma of Physical and Sexual Violence

Shame has a sound. It shrieks through our souls echoing words of condemnation. Healing has a sound as well. It silences the accusation that we are at fault for the incidents of physical or sexual violence perpetrated against us. As much as the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder are in our minds, we can also find encouragement knowing that God is in the business of healing trauma.

We may find that difficult to believe, but it is as much good news as the same Gospel of the kingdom that Jesus brought to save souls. What Jesus settled once and for all, through His sacrifice, pushes back against the universally-posed question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” His goodness meets us in our unique adaptation of the same, “Why did this happen to me?”

Though we wrestle internally with the circumstances of the physical or sexual trauma we have endured, we may struggle with a million more unknowns that question why. As desperately as we’d like to cling to the alternate reality of what would be in a perfect or sinless world, we can only begin with hope from this present moment.

We cannot reverse time to erase the onset of our trauma response. What we possess may not seem like much in our eyes, but the eternal truth abides: our experience and the tools God has given us are unequivocally powerful. The enemy launched an evil agenda, but we have not fallen prey to what would have consumed and swallowed us alive.

While we have been on the targeted end of an incident or series of encounters that produced a trauma response, we don’t have to bear the label or weight of perceiving ourselves as a victim. It is here, even in our vulnerability, that the Anointing of the Holy Spirit searches our soul to provide the salve that heals soul wounds.

Christ Himself, as the Anointed One, came to bind up our brokenness and to heal the pain we didn’t produce (Isaiah 61:1-4). As Savior, Jesus imparts strength where we feel we have little. Our decision to be aware and align our actions with His truth frees us where we are captives in prisons we can neither see nor feel, though coping with trauma’s effects (John 8:32).

Jesus’ words eternally settle that our worth was never based on the experience of trauma. Our value has always been anchored in that we belong to Jesus, and nothing, including the most egregious acts, can pluck us out of His hand (John 10:28).

The Bible reminds us that in some areas Jesus heals right away, but other miracles are progressive and evolve with time and process (Luke 7:14). Yet, He is still the One that does the complete work (Philippians 1:6; 1 John 3:2).

It is tempting to cement ourselves to pain, embracing it as the badge that bears our identity. If we want to experience life to the full and freedom the Messiah intended, we must trust Him enough to surrender our pain and leave it in His capable hands (John 10:10; Matthew 11:28-30).

Going forward may feel awkward and uncomfortable, but the Holy Spirit helps us to act in faith, asserting that the Almighty is greater than trauma and all of its effects (1 John 4:4).

Trauma produces uncomfortable responses. These are normal, and God is aware that processing this is essential to healing and growth. Our Father also experiences a range of emotions, sensitive to the loss and pain we feel, to a greater degree than we can fathom (Hebrews 4:15).

However, the same God who exists eternally, also dwells in past, present, and future. Simultaneously, He remains near in our most challenging moments, yet holds the joy and anticipation of seeing the restored joy and wholeness He always intended for us to experience (Hebrews 12:2; Jeremiah 29:11).

Next steps for healing trauma

The Everlasting Father has always known what the entirety of your life would resemble, even before the first day recorded in His books (Isaiah 9:6; Daniel 7). Yet, the hope He holds is enveloped in each of the tears you drop and the comfort He offers (Psalm 56:8).

Search this site for resources and schedule with a counselor at Lake Forest Christian Counseling to discover the empathy and support needed for healing trauma. Every new day provides fresh mercy and represents His desire to reveal the grander picture that lies outside the current frame in your story. He is actively working through your process to fully manifest the masterpiece He has envisioned and already formed you to be (Ephesians 2:10).