General Spirituality And Belief

[SeekingSerenity]

I spent 30 years roaming the "desert" of my soul, and only recently have I returned to Jesus. Its been almost 4 months now since I have been re-born, and I have yet to see the inside of a church building. I am more inclined to want to quietly get on with getting to know my Father than showing Him off to the masses. I found my Faith just before I learned of my Beloved's PTSD, and I truly believe that He has helped me to stay strong and able to focus.

 

[Elizabeth-Ann]

I am catholic and deeply religous. I think that my faith is what keeps me living, not ony that I made the experience that something much stronger than "me" (God) saved me in my traumatic experience, it gives me hope and serenity. I make the same experience as SeekingSerenity that God helps me to stay strong and focused in my life, my therapy. My life is still disabled, but I make progress. "Alone" I would have killed myself probably a long time ago. No, maybe I even not would have survived my experience. Even my psychiatrist is very astonished how "whole" I am after what I went through. It is the experience that there is a place inside, where nothing can hurt you, even if they take you everything, your dignity comes from your creator. Even if they take your life, they cannot take your soul...
Just my personal experience, a very humbling one.

 

[Tinyflame]

I can't say I feel that dignity, though you are right in terms of the catholic belief of it Elizabeth-Ann.

But, I always 'talked' to God, as a kid up, and yes I get strength or something, from it.
I think, as a little kid, no matter what happened, I always had God and my dog.

I too believe, the one thing that cannot be taken from me is what I think, believe or feel in my own heart.

PS- Am glad you're still 'here', btw. ( :) )

 

[Elizabeth-Ann]

I can't say I feel that dignity, though you are right in terms of the catholic belief of it Elizabeth-Ann.

But, I always 'talked' to God, as a kid up, and yes I get strength or something, from it.
I think, as a little kid, no matter what happened, I always had God and my dog.

I too believe, the one thing that cannot be taken from me is what I think, believe or feel in my own heart.

PS- Am glad you're still 'here', btw. ( :) )

Thank you so much! This touches me. Sometimes I feel that in the "normal world" we take so much for granted, just if you are - as we are - survivors, it can kindle your heart only to hear from a stranger: I am glad you're still here. - and you feel no longer like stranger...

 

[Elizabeth-Ann]

My Psy says that it is very rare that people can "protect" what they feel as "dignity" in the situation I was. I hope you do not blame yourself not fealing it. That would not have been my intention when writing.

I will pray for you, that you may always be free in your heart and happy to have this treasure that no one can take from you! Again thanks for being glad that I am "here" that made my day.

 

[Elizabeth-Ann]

I started my new life with God two years ago when I went to the doctor's office and he asked me why I was there and I did not know where to start. I was directed to a rehab and I refused it due to the surroundings having lots of drugs. I started going to church, worshipping God, got involved in Bible studies and attended every service possible.

The results were awesome, I cannot define it, yet I still have symptoms but not as I use to. God has done some healing and the rest has been on prescription pills. God is good and God is real. Having faith in God has a lot to do with healing from PTSD. Granted, not all symptoms will be erased just like that, or maybe it can happen to those the lucky ones.

In my experience it is true that God can heal. I am happy to have a Psy that is a catholic christian as I am - even if we do not talk about religion (I do but he is not allowed to) and a priest that helps me at the same time. For me it is important that there is no "concurrence" between the spiritual and the psy- work. God likes us to do everything to being healed by doctors etc. but he helps us through them AND directly. When my Priest and the brothers and sisters of his community performed healing-prayers on me, it was an extremely strong experience for me, even if I did not have some experience with charismatic healing.
And in worship and praise, but also very much in silent and intimate prayer, God can touch the suffering soul (and body). Just my little experience. Hoping you may be blessed and that you find more and more deeply Gods love in your heart!

 

[Nadege]

Oops wrong section.

 

[ISupportHer]

I go to church when I can and am not one to force anyone else to do so. Sometimes I think anyone has the potential to influence their life by choices they make. Of course. If you chose a positive environment, surround yourself with nurturing people, there will be a benefit. It has to be sincere on your own part, of course.

Although I know that many have NOT felt that, perhaps, through organized religion, but spirituality is what you make it to be. That certainly can be going to church, relationships with other members there or the Pastor. But if spirituality for someone else is a different mold, then there is still benefit and that person has my blessing.

 

[Tinyflame]

I don't think church and ptsd mix well.

I wouldn't think of sharing anything that I have there, and what I have shared I regret. Was the Pastor but just because people are on the payroll or it's church, I think it's a waste of my time and their's. I understand it better now, before it was a positive bias, really, not accurate. But others are different, different people, different churches.

I've heard it said, people find it hard to imagine 'God' or a Higher Being as kind and such in any way, because they relate their experiences to people. So I certainly can't say, whatever helps people feel better, seems likely better to choose.

We're all just doing the best we can.