3 Keys To Overcoming Trauma

Imagine being trapped in a relentless storm, with waves crashing around you and darkness closing in. In moments like these, when trauma and PTSD threaten to consume us, we long for a guiding light, a beacon of hope to lead us out of the chaos. That guiding light is none other than Yeshua Hamashiach (Jesus). As a Jewish believer in Messiah Jesus, I have undergone intense warfare that seemed impossible for me to endure over the last 15 years and my entire life. I moved out of my mother’s house at the age of 12 into my dad’s house and lived through a “Cinderella Type” childhood that had stepsisters & stepmother who made me feel worthless and detached from reality. I was always offered the “hand me down clothes” most difficult housework, and I was not invited to the fun shopping trips my stepsisters engaged in. Later in life, I ended up divorced after two tumultuous failed marriages, leading me further into despair. 

I am writing this blog post to let you know that there is hope for you in your darkest moments. There were many days that I did not want to live. One day, I had an encounter with the Lord that opened my heart and mind to make it my passion to overcome Trauma and PTSD and move forward into the Lord's plans for me.

Trauma has the power to shatter our sense of self, leaving us broken and lost. However, through the power of gratitude, we can begin to rebuild. Cultivating gratitude allows us to shift our focus from the pain to the blessings that still surround us. It is an act of defiance against despair, a conscious choice to find beauty amidst the wreckage. With Jesus as our pilot, gratitude becomes a compass that points us toward healing. After my first divorce, I was raising a newborn baby. I moved to New Jersey without any money or income. The Lord led me to start a home daycare to care for my baby and other children, giving me some money to pay the bills. Each day, the Lord brought in the right children and parents who were open to salvation through Jesus and wanted me to care for their youngsters. It was a lonely time, but it helped me grow closer to God, watching Him provide for me and my baby. I would get blessings from strangers regularly. The babies and small children provided love to the deep wounds in my heart. I had an attitude of gratitude in the eye of the storm.

Gratitude has a way of transforming our hearts and minds. When we count our blessings, it redirects our attention away from the darkness and toward the light. It allows us to recognize the still existing goodness, even amidst the chaos. In doing so, we create space for hope to emerge and for healing to begin. Practicing gratitude doesn't mean ignoring or minimizing our pain. Instead, it involves finding moments of beauty and joy that coexist with our suffering. It consists in acknowledging the small victories, the acts of kindness we receive, and the moments of respite that punctuate our journey. It involves finding gratitude amid the struggle.

One way to cultivate gratitude is to keep a gratitude journal. Each day, take a few moments to write down three things that you are grateful for. They can be as simple as a warm cup of coffee in the morning, a kind word from a friend, or a peaceful moment in nature. By consistently noting these moments of gratitude, we train our minds to seek out and appreciate the goodness in our lives.

Another powerful practice is to express gratitude to those who have supported us on our healing journey. Take a moment to write a heartfelt note or talk with someone who has been there for you. Tell them how much their love, presence, and support have meant to you. Sharing your gratitude strengthens your relationships, reinforces the positive aspects of your life, and helps to counterbalance the weight of trauma. Cultivating an attitude of gratitude can be challenging, especially suffering. It requires a conscious effort to shift our focus from the pain to the blessings. However, with Jesus as our pilot and the guiding light, we can tap into a wellspring of gratitude that will sustain us through the darkest times.  

The second key to overcoming trauma and PTSD that the Lord gave me is being in the presence of God. This practice offers solace and strength like no other. When we intentionally seek His presence, we invite Him to enter our pain and bring us peace that surpasses all understanding. In the embrace of His love, we find a refuge, a sanctuary where trauma loses its power. With Jesus as our pilot, His presence becomes our anchor, grounding us amidst the storm. After spending time with the Lord, He taught me Inner healing and deliverance as well as EMDR, Forward Focus Therapy, and talking to a trained Trauma Specialist or counselor. God had me go through deep healing after my 2nd marriage ended. I went through one trauma after another through the marriage and divorce. Getting into the presence of God was healing me and the wounds that I was dealing with from false allegations and painful memories. In the presence of God, we find a sacred space where our burdens are lifted and our hearts are understood. It is here, in the embrace of His love, that we experience true healing and restoration. Through prayer and reading scripture, I opened myself to God's grace, allowing Him to work within me and guide me toward healing.

When I soaked in the presence of God, I was reminded of His unwavering faithfulness and unconditional love. My fears and anxieties dissipated as I trusted His sovereignty and surrendered my burdens to Him. In His presence, I discovered a refuge from the chaos of trauma, a sanctuary where I was able to find peace. The Lord downloaded many revelations that I journaled regularly in His presence. It’s only in His presence where there is fullness of joy. The Lord instructed me to learn different therapy techniques to teach others during this time of enjoying His affection. Although I had always worked with people with mental health issues in psychiatric hospitals by doing coping skills groups, anger management, stress management, self-esteem, VCR techniques, etc., I never knew anything about “Forward Focus” Therapy, EMDR and some other helpful tools for overcoming Trauma that I use today with my Life Coaching Clients. I do weekly support groups with clients to discuss what trauma they have encountered, and we discuss specific solutions to help heal their pain. I wrote a curriculum to help heal the trauma and PTSD. I have seen many physical and emotional healings after working with clients. Some physical healings involved headaches being cured, hives leaving, pain in the lower body, and more. This was all with the love and Power of Jesus. 

Moreover, being in the presence of God provided me with a sense of purpose and direction. As I leaned into His guiding hand, I was reminded that my healing journey is not one that I can undertake alone. With Jesus as my pilot, I was able to navigate the treacherous waters of trauma with confidence, knowing that He was leading me toward a life of wholeness and freedom. In the presence of God, I could find the strength to forgive others for things that were unfairly done to me. The weight of my past traumas left me angry and defiled. However, by opening my heart to God's love and grace, I was able to release these negative emotions and find forgiveness. Through His transformative power, I could let go of the chains that bound me to my past, embracing a future filled with hope and healing. My birthday is “March fourth”. It is prophetic for moving forward and not living in my past. The Lord gently reminded me to stay focused on and not behind. 

The third key the Lord gave me for overcoming trauma was starting a Life Coaching Business and becoming Certified in Trauma. The Lord wanted me to use my skills to help others overcome the pains stuck in my heart for many years. When I pray for others or work with others who are dealing with abuse, neglect, and PTSD, it brings another level of healing to my soul. When I get testimonies from people getting free from years of pain, I feel lighter and more accessible. Compassion for others creates a safe and nurturing environment for people to feel open to expressing themselves with you. They trust you. This is God’s way of healing you as well. Compassion for others involves extending kindness and understanding to people's needs, especially when struggling. It means treating people with the same care and compassion you would need during difficult times. Being the hands and feet of Jesus offers people unconditional love no matter where they have been and what they went through. Through His grace, we can extend the same love and grace to others He gave us in our night of the soul. 

Practicing compassion for others involves acknowledging their pain without judgment or self-criticism. It's about allowing people to feel the emotions that arise from their trauma while reminding ourselves that these feelings are valid and part of our healing journey. We can offer comfort and reassurance, speaking to words of kindness and gentleness. This enables them to gradually release the grip of trauma and step into a life of wholeness and freedom. During the last five years, I have led many to the Lord through evangelism and online ministry. I did 1:1 coaching calls as well as praying for people to be healed from trauma. I took many techniques and tools the Lord taught me, such as Forward Focus Therapy, EMDR, Grounding Techniques, Mindfulness, Inner Healing, Deliverance, and more. Each time that I helped others, the Lord healed me more. As we embark on this journey, remember the words of Psalm 34:17-18, "The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit. 

In the journey of overcoming trauma and PTSD, Jesus offers us three powerful keys to unlock healing and restoration. By cultivating an attitude of gratitude, practicing self-compassion, and immersing ourselves in the presence of God, we can navigate through the darkest times with Jesus as our pilot. When integrated into our lives, these three principles become guiding stars that lead us toward faster healing and a deeper understanding of ourselves and our experiences. They illuminate our path with hope and empower us to rise above the pain. But this is not the end; it's only the beginning. As we embrace these three keys to trauma healing, we embark on a transformative journey, encountering Jesus in a new way. We discover a profound sense of purpose and find our way to the other side of suffering.

Now is the time to act. Let's consciously cultivate gratitude, extending its healing power to every corner of our lives. Let's practice compassion, nurturing ourselves with love and acceptance. And let's seek the presence of God, finding solace and strength in His comforting embrace.  Together, let's unlock these three keys to healing and discover the transformative power of Jesus in our lives. May His love guide us, His grace sustains us, and His peace envelops us. Embrace His leadership and find the courage to soar beyond the scars into a future filled with hope and restoration. Take the pilot's seat today and watch the power of Jesus guide you to newfound freedom.

-Audrey Staton

Free Masterclass: Healing From Trauma By Audrey Staton Five Steps To Reclaiming Your Life

If you would like Audrey to work with you to be set free of trauma, please subscribe to her website or donate to her ministry at abministry.com.