God and PTSD : Committed to Freedom

God and PTSD : Committed to Freedom
Excerpt:
                       "It’s interesting to see how the actions of one person can affect so many other people. The damage caused by one predator/abuser has the potential to completely derail the survivor’s life and future. That survivor will most likely struggle as a partner and a parent. The actions of one abuser [...]....You can’t have me. No matter what you’ve done to me, you can’t have me. You shredded my heart, but I’m taking it back. You exploited my body, but it was never yours in the first place. You manipulated and exploited me, but I’m wising up to those tricks. " ~ShareBy Sallie Culbreth, M.S. Founder
While many people experience faith and God as positive, comforting, and fortifying, others do not. When the very structure of your faith experience is shaken – when you become angry with God, blame God or your faith community, or find that your beliefs are eroding, then your sense of betrayal, abandonment, and broken trust can be felt even more painfully. That translates into magnified PTSD symptoms for many people. This has a deep impact on how you move beyond abuse.
Perhaps you don’t have these faith struggles, but if you do, you may find it extremely confusing to figure out how and IF God fits into your recovery. These are not frivolous issues. For many of us, it goes to the core of our identity, our culture, and our ability to make sense of our lives.
Each person navigates through the crisis of faith in a unique way, but facing these deep questions is vital to your recovery. Listed below are a few of my suggestions for this process:

• If you’re angry with God and if you have doubts, acknowledge it. God won’t be surprised. [A priest once told me God isn't going to roll over and die just because you get angry at Him.]
• Use caution when sharing your struggles with highly dogmatic and opinionated people. You don’t need to be pressured into silence or artificial compliance.
• Seek the wisdom of those who will validate your spiritual struggles and who will honor your honest questions.
• You may find it helpful to talk to God (or scream or whimper) about your anger, your questions, and your struggles. Then listen.
• Limit your exposure to faith rituals that feel toxic to you right now.
• Don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions. You need answers and you need thoughtful wisdom.
• Keep your heart and mind wide open.
• Understand that God’s Spirit is here to guide you into truth.
• Be on a quest as a seeker, not a cynic. If you’ve drawn a line in the sand and have your arms crossed, you’re not going to find spiritual peace. If you’ve sought answers and left footprints in the sand, then you’re on a journey that can help you move forward.
• Be prepared to experience fear, tremendous loss, and identity crisis as you struggle. Also be prepared to emerge from this as a different person.
• It is helpful to learn from others who have had similar struggles through books, film, and conversations. When you realize you’re not the first person to wrestle with faith and God, it can be tremendously comforting.

My own spiritual struggles led me to a complete collapse of a very unhealthy soul, and a rebuilding of my spiritual foundation that changed everything for me. I’ve listed a few of my suggestions. Apply what you find useful. Toss what you don’t.
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My Note:  "There is no pit of Hell so deep that He isn't already there...suffering FOR us..."~Betsy Ten Boom in Ravensbruck.
I found at the Foot of the Cross that the Cross itself goes deep into the caverns of the Earth and its sufferings---into the hearts, minds, souls and lives in eternity...
And...the families affected by the abuse....