Trauma Affects Life

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines trauma as a very difficult or unpleasant experience that causes someone to have mental or emotional problems usually for a long time (Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, 2015). From a medical perspective trauma is describe as severe damage to a person’s body. Trauma can be cause by multiple factors in a person life. Trauma could stem from a distressing experience of a physical or psychological nature. In recent years’ major natural disasters and acts of terrorism have become more prominent and devastating creating long lasting traumatic effects in individuals lives. Trauma can have a lasting negative impact on a person’s life. The lasting effects of trauma can have a negative effect in development as well as

Children and adults that are familiar with God and that have been taught that God is love, often associated their traumatic experiences in a negative way to their spirituality. Children and adults may relate their trauma experienced to a retribution by a punitive God and it can disrupt their spiritual belief and connection with God or a divine being (Bryant-Davis, et al., 2012). Individuals’ that have experienced trauma at times develop a negative and unsafe view of the world. The world is no longer a safe place for them. This negative connotation of the world could lead to many adverse effects throughout the development stages of a person. It could lead to mental health as well as a complete rejection of one’s faith, and mistrust that can lead to the inhibition of formatting healthy relationships with others or with God. Although, children and adults could develop a negative view against their God due to the negative experience, spirituality can also be a source of strength and a mechanism that can lead to recovery. Many times victims of a traumatic event use their spirituality as a form of coping skill that leads to a better understanding and acceptance of their past or present circumstances. This positive view of spirituality can later be restored through means of different styles of

These traumatic events can present themselves in the form of a somatic injury; psychological or physical abuse or even through natural disasters or terrorist attacks. Nevertheless, any type of traumatic event can lead to devastating lasting effects in an individual’s lifespan. Consequently, producing a distrustful view of the world, mental health symptoms and even to mislay complete trust in God. However, we are resilient beings who have the capacity to turn unfortunate circumstances into valuable experiences, but in order to be able to do that there has to be an understanding and a purpose as to why traumatic situations do happen. A connection with God can provide the answer as to why people go through this traumatic events. Understanding the purpose behind a devastating experience can stimulate the healthy psychological and physical growth of a human being. The bible provides an insight on how spirituality can lead to recovery even in the midst of traumatic experiences. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (Open Bible, 2015). Psalms 107: 13-16 says, “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he shatters