Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a very real condition that is experienced by war veterans, children, and anyone who has survived an horrific ordeal. While I do not wish to make light of this crippling condition, I would like to acknowledge that people go through (what I will call) Post-Traumatic Spiritual Disorder. There are times when spiritually traumatic things happen to us. These spiritual battles and wars change who you are, how you process experiences, and everything feels like a threat. It increases your fight-or-flight response. You may even find yourself cynical, bitter, and angry towards spiritual leadership, the church, or God Himself. Has Post-Traumatic Spiritual Disorder led you to abandon your gifts, walk away from your calling, and go A.W.O.L. in your relationship with God?
Your spiritual hurt may be the result of something that was said to you, seeing hypocrisy from church leaders, being sexually abused, or any number of situations that can cause you to question who you are and your relationship with God. I want you to know that what happened to you was meant to spiritually destroy you. It is Satan’s plan to kill you. Jesus warned us in John 10:10, The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. Satan does not show up unless there is hope to fulfill his three-prong mission: steal, kill, and destroy.
What has Satan stolen, killed, or destroyed in you? Has he stolen purpose from your life? Has he killed your vision? Has he destroyed your relationships? Has he stolen your love for people? Has he killed your hope? Has he destroyed your faith in God? What has been taken from you that you now operate from a place of spiritual fear, spiritual anxiety, and spiritual depression?
Satan has neutralized you but I want to encourage you to get back in the fight. I will not pretend that it will be easy. Some hurts are so deeply rooted that it may require counseling. However, I encourage you to take a step towards reclaiming what is spiritually yours. While Jesus warned us of Satan’s plans, He also told us His plans in John 10:10, I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. Jesus has an abundant life for us full of purpose, peace, and joy. Let’s go get it!
Father,
I pray for my brothers and sisters who have been spiritually hurt. Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted. As they cry out to You from the pains of their own hearts, heal their hearts and restore their faith in You. Let them rise up in Your power and in Your purpose for them to retake what is rightfully theirs. Open their spiritual eyes to see who they are in You (loved, called, and destined). Let them know that You have never left them nor forsaken them. Bring them home and restore their souls, Daddy!
In Jesus’ Power and Authority,
Amen
For more on overcoming difficult circumstances, read the Successful Sufferer Series.
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Copyright 2019 T.L. Lockley. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Thank you for your insight on Post Traumatic Spiritual Disorder. Well spoken.
Thank you, Theresa.
Blessings,
T.L.