Christianity/christians

[Thizette]

I hate to point out the obvious but you're not disagreeing with me at all.

Ok then. :)

 

[Lionheart]

As a Universalist Christian and a PTSD sufferer, I just want to say that I wish you all the love you need to heal and that I hope you are able to find some solace in God's love for you as well.

I will pray for you if that is okay with you.

I hope that you are soon surrounded by loving, understanding, non-judgemental, Christians who can support your recovery and healing.

I wish you comfort and many bright blessings,

Lionheart777

 

[Gs172003]

In my experience a lot of Christians do not understand PTSD and they are not willing to especially o...

As a Christian I understand. I do believe God does and can heal WITH THE TOOLS HE PROVIDES US. I don't believe we wake up one day cured. I do believe he wants us to trust him that he will be there when times are hard but he does expect us to do our part. If not there would be no such thing as Christian counseling ;)

 

[janelle smith]

In my experience a lot of Christians do not understand PTSD and they are not willing to especially o...

I talked with a counselor I found online (i will have to search for his website for you) But he helped me get started with a self help procedure.... Have you heard about the EMDR procedure?

 

[janelle smith]

I talked with a counselor I found online (i will have to search for his website for you) But he...

The website of the counselor I really liked talking to i is Breakingfreecounseling.me

 

[janelle smith]

I left a man who claimed to be very christian, but prevented me from going to two different bible studies (one with his own son and daughter in law) ... but he would be thankful at every meal and say grace that touched my heart (I was raised Catholic and we said the same boring grace every meal)... anyway...after I finally escaped from him, I downloaded and read every page of the website called abuseandrelationships and I watched many dvd's on domestic vioilence including one you can see online by googling powerandcontrolfilm which was enormously helpful in making me see the very same symptoms in my husband (how he behaves in the beginning, how it slowly but certainly creeps in, how the mind games make you doubt yourself and feel confused, how he then insists on you being the start of all problems and the hate and the violence somehow gets twisted into justified as deserved punishment.. I realized how horrible it can progess to from other peoples experiences that I listened to and read...My situation luckily never reached some of the horrifying experiences that some of these domestic violence books and videos document, but I saved myself (after my pets were missing/dead) when I realized how the horrible rumours from a small town were true, and I felt so stupid and ashamed and still believed it couldn't be true...His children were christian believers and good kids and his dang ex-wife lived in the same town. But I would bet she is still intimidated and controled by him after 20+ years.

 

[Changing4Best]

I'm a Christian and I am also PTSD as well as Bipolar. To me, forgiveness is a process. It is not a one step thing and it is something that grows as life goes on. I also see it as something for the person who is doing the forgiving which helps them to heal from the abuse, and not something that helps the forgiven. Often the forgiven has no clue that what they did was abusive or just plain does not care. Sometimes they have no conscience, you know? Take a serial killer for instance. I doubt that they have a conscience, and if they do, it sure isn't working correctly! However, if one of the victim's family members should choose to forgive that killer, that person might benefit from doing so simply by not holding the hatred and resentment in their heart and soul. Letting it go is tough, indeed, like nearly impossible, but if a soul can let it go, instead of holding onto it and chewing it, that soul has a chance at inner peace. That is what forgiveness is all about, it is not for the forgiven so much as it is for the forgiver. In that way, the forgiver is able to find God. God is the Master Forgiver. We learn it from Him, as I see it.

Deciding to forgive is the first step. That is the toughest step and it should not be undertaken until one is ready to do it, in my opinion. I'm not pushing forgiveness on you. Take your time. Take as much of it as you need! Sometimes it helps us to look at some of the things we have committed during our own lives. None of us is perfect. It does not mean we went so far as to abuse someone. It might be as simple as having neglected them or failing to love them enough or something. We need to forgive ourselves too!

 

[Just me]

I think that people are innately uncomfortable with the uncomfortable. Many people feel that there needs to be a "solution" to problems and the answer is not always clear. It isn't always instant. Sometimes it may not be found. It's mainly their need to have things solved and tidied up.

 

[Mina]

I was also brought up in a Christian cult, and have struggled with my faith and PTSD. In my church growing up, most mental illnesses were treated as some form of demonic possession/influence. They went straight to the spiritual fixes for physical issues, then blamed the "ill" one when nothing changed, as if they didn't have enough faith or "gasp!" didn't want the demon gone!!

@Eagle3 Wow, I think we grew up in the same "church family"!!! Do I think demonic influence can happen? Yes. Is that my problem? No. My brain rewired itself. Why? Because we've been created - by God! - with various mechanisms, some of which are designed for our protection and survival (I know there are times I'm glad I don't remember everything), and some of which essentially go haywire. But somehow that's irrelevant... :O_o:

@JFSurvivor I agree with much of what you said. Let the elders pray over you, go through the Celebrate Recovery program, just lean on the Lord, forgive, and you'll heal. Ummmmm...no. It doesn't necessarily work like that. How about we put you through trauma, rewire YOUR brain, give you every symptom in the DSM, and then give you your own advice?

I've come across some Christians who are extremely compassionate and understanding about PTSD and mental illness, but by and large, not so much. I try to follow Christ (and WOW, do I fail a lot), but dislike calling myself a Christian because of what that word has come to symbolize to me. I do NOT adhere to the typical beliefs found in all the major denominations, so I don't go to church anymore. I feel very uncomfortable knowing that it isn't safe to be myself there.

 

[Deleted member 34328]

About a week late in reading this (on the list of one email once a week). I have never seen a thread so filled with differing opinions, defensive arguments as well as some mutual respect.

I think religion is a very hot topic and anyone trying to either figure out the why's of their trauma are going to explore the core of their beliefs. Christian or not. It's where we've always felt safe and defined. When that gets threatened, it shakes us more than anything else ever could - defintely did in my situation.

I agree and disagree with a lot of what's been said. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and not be judged for it. I'm not trying to offend anyone here. Very sorry if anything I've said does. Definitely not my intent!

I am a Christian, but I've learned the hard way that EVERYONE has their opinion and usually believe they're right. There are legalistic people everywhere. Religious or not. I've had to learn to not wear my emotions on my sleeve where I'm vulnerable to those who will judge and add to the pain and hurt that I'm already struggling with. It's true, we should feel free to share PTSD with others, maybe even give them something to think about, but also to use discretion.

I grew up in the church and a Christian family. My roots are deep, yet I've had to bury down my PTSD from most of my family. I have 1 supporting Christian friend who treats me as a daughter and empathizes with me. She respects where I'm at. If I ask a question, she'll share her opinion. If I don't, she respects my distance. As a result of her support, I'm slowly healing and now am a very different person than I was. But that's just me.

Obviously I have my opinions too on pretty much every part of the thread here, but as is the case of what I've experienced, if you ask a question, you'll get an answer. If you'd rather not, don't ask.

Again, please forgive me if I've overstepped any boundaries. I want to be a part of some of these threads, but not if I'm going to hurt those already hurting.

 

[Ladyghosthunter]

Amen! God, if I could say that a millon times I would!

This god and I have a complicated re...

Amen! I'm spiritually Catholic and believe that in many circumstances Christianity deams PTSD. I ignore such doctrine because God loves us for who we are. Just hold on tight and try not to think of us as judgemental. My sinister in law states she is a person of God and she's nothing more than a Joel Osteen blabbermouth who doesn't practice what she preaches. He told me I was going to Hell because of my divorce (she sided with my ex narcissistic husband). I told her "you first". I understand how you feel. God loves you for you. Remember that Jesus ate with sinners and prostitutes. Remember we love you. That is all that should matter.

 

[janelle smith]

I'm a Christian and I am also PTSD as well as Bipolar. To me, forgiveness is a process. It is not a...

It's been a while since I posted my delima... And if you replied to my post about forgiveness, I am grateful. I was much more forgiving when I first left him, because I still loved him. Now after th drawn out divorce I resent him for still not returning some precious items of mine that went "missing"... And for all the hell he put me through... It's hard to forgive when I know his abusive techniques were calculated and deliberate. But when I was away from the town we live, and around wonderful church people, I had an aha moment that he could be a good Christian warrior soul that got consumed by a demon... And has his own battle to fight. I will try to forgive.. But I have held so much bitterness and resentment towards evil people in this world it is difficult for me to forgive. Maybe that is my lesson in life.