There are two ways of living – living out of love or living out of fear. Unfortunately, traumatic wounds can prevent us from living in the experiential awareness of God’s love for us. In that case, we are left to view ourselves, our world and our situation through the eyes of fear.
We “expect with alarm” as Merriam-Webster defines fear. When traumatic events happen, we more often than not view them in light of that alarm. Thus, the fearful expectation is the prophecy and the perception of the event itself is the self-fulfillment.
For example; If when we live out of fear and are delayed in getting to work due to spilling something on our clothes and we conclude that the day is going to be botched. We then get ourselves into an emotional set-up for a crappy day – and not thinking clearly – and so the day is botched. But, when we live in the experiential awareness of God’s infinite, unconditional love, we thank God for His wisdom and omniscience and loving hand and we trust that He has allowed that delay and will use it for His LOVING purpose.
Amy Grant sang a song called ‘Angel’s Watchin’ Over Me’. It has a line that says, “A reckless car ran out of gas before it ran my way. Near misses all around me, accidents unknown, though I never see with human eyes the Hands that lead me home.”
That is the love perspective. Not expecting with alarm, but resting in confidential knowledge of a loving Father who acts in love at ALL times.
Trauma can prevent us from seeing God this way because being out of control has taught us that not being powerful means that I am vulnerable, and being vulnerable leads to hurt and deep pain. That fear response is so intense from a psychological and emotional perspective that, though we can assent to the truth in faith, we cannot muscle past the emotion and anxiety that ensues. As a result, many of us then suffer from many emotional and psychological problems, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dissociative disorders, phobias, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and more.
The good news is that Jesus is the Good News! He is perfect love and casts out all fear. He has revealed to us the Father-heart of God. Once traumas are miraculously healed (either directly by God’s hands or through Him using the help of a counselor trained in trauma therapy) then we are able to live in the freedom that knowledge of truth brings.
Margaret Vasquez is not in private practice. She has graciously submitted this article to be published on CatholicTherapists.com.
- Overcoming Traumatic Events: Living In The Freedom Of The Love Perspective - September 7, 2017
- Freedom Awaits After Traumatic Experiences - September 6, 2016
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