Has anyone ever had faith/religion as a part of your healing process?

[Fadeaway]

I think having a wide range of beliefs in the world is a wonderful things. Beliefs should be as as individual to a person as their career choices or natural talents. It should complement what is already there. The problem arises is when someone decides their belief is the only right way, or that another belief is wrong. I can be guilty of that from time to time due to my bad childhood experiences with Christianity. In the end, what matters is if it works for you and brings you peace no matter what anyone else says.

 

[intheprocess]

I'm sorry you had those experiences.

 

[EmmaOwl]

I forgot to add to my answer that faith in something larger than "man over nature" is keeping me balanced to not fall into the pits of despair. Somehow it does, but doesn't satisfy my need for answers. That's why I like science :)

This kinda made me think of "layers." There was a discussion about layers of people, doctors, pharmacists, etc, all checking prescription meds, which cuts down on potential errors.

But, me, yeah. Pits of despair (Did you ever see "The Princess Bride"? They literally have a Pit of Despair.) I *wish* I believed - it is one more level of protection and health during PTSD... the more the better. But I have meds, alternative meds, a doctor and a pain specialist and a psychiatrist and a therapist. And me. Being thorough. Those are my layers! ..... and some friends here too [she says shyly].

 

[EmmaOwl]

Oh, guilt. One of my first therapists decided that I was suffering from Catholic guilt from my dad's side of the family, and I kept telling her it is actually Jewish guilt. (no offense intended, just something a little odd for a therapist to focus on.) Odd because I grew up with zero religion. My father decided at about 12 that Catholicism didn't make sense...and he hasn't looked back since! My mother and I, though, feel guilty for bizarre things. Can't think of an example off the top of my head. Well, I feel guilty when I've expressed myself poorly, on this board and elsewhere. I feel guilty when I know I've screwed up, but I don't know how to fix it. Etc, etc, ad nauseam.

 

[Recovery4Me]

Healing has many paths. On mine, my deity traveled with me and sometimes carried me until I could walk again.

 

[Deleted member 37085]

Through all of the residual ptsd trauma ie. memories, nightmares, adult abuse,E.M.D.R.... on and on...my spiritual belief has also carried and brought me to where I'm at this moment even though I'm questioning this very belief. And even though I'm questioning same...I will not abandon my belief now, am questioning everything...something I never did previous...re-calibrating, reformulating, and...incorporating (including) so many additional beliefs into my endless and now open-minded spiritual "bank".

 

[intheprocess]

I still have to say I wouldn't be here if it weren't for God. I've been lucky and regarding my relationship with God it's been good- no weird people or churches. I was hospitalized three times, was suicidal. In a medical study receiving an experimental drug. Horrific abuse since infancy. Violated when I entered the convent. Meds for PTSD. Clinical depression. But, it's through my relationship with God that I have survived. His love strengthens me. It's not a matter of studying, talking. It's a matter of silent prayer. That's the way it's been for me.

 

[Gamereign555]

I started going to church with a friend and her son a couple of years ago. I also go to AA meetings which has helped in unexpected ways.

 

[arabianhorselover]

I do spend time in nature. Lots of it. I'm fortunate to live in a space where I'm surrounde...

I can't help but wonder where you get the time for all that.

I can't believe in an all-powerful yet merciful god could possibly exist. I pulled out a lot of quotes...

I keep seeing this attitude that so many people have that if there is a god he must be nothing but loving and kind and not allow any type of suffering. Why? He can do whatever he wants. He's God! He has a plan that we cannot possibly understand. Just because He doesn't do things the way we think He should we don't want to believe in Him. He has given humans free will. That means that they will do/cause all kinds of things that he does not endorse, but that he does allow because He will not take away our free will.

 

[DharmaGirl]

Why wouldn't @Tornadic Thoughts have time for all that? That is what she does. It's different from what you do but that doesn't make it undoable.

 

[anonymous]

He can do whatever he wants. He's God!

He sure can.

He has given humans free will.

He sure did. I use mine to dislike him.

 

[Tornadic Thoughts]

That's an easy one to answer, @arabianhorselover . By totally breaking down and painfully realizing it needed to be a priority within each day, pretty much. The time was sort of made for me, in a way, once I was no longer able to keep wearing all the masks society/family/etc. insisted I wear by continually faking it 'til I was supposedly making it.

I was made much worse rather than better via typical medical/insurance approved means through the years, so I started seeking out more "natural" (a.k.a. non-insurance approved) means of symptom management out of sheer desperation (was morbidly obese and almost bedridden in addition to typical ptsd stuff) and out of a fear of being harmed even more if I didn't seek elsewhere. I was fortunate enough to find various local healing practitioners who are willing to barter and have built a village of support along the way.

I also spoke up about unethical stuff in the workplace, where I was a f/t salaried staff member working 40-60 hours a week, and had to choose to either try to keep up an ongoing fight against a system I could never win against that was creating more hellish symptoms to surface making it impossible to comfortably continue to work there, or choose my health and resign after investing over 13 years in them.

We also moved to a location that's surrounded by the woods/forest, so I only have to venture out in my yard to visit nature rather than travel to it. I've been a nature lover as long as I can remember, I just now more fully innerstand it and can better appreciate all it has to offer, that I had been taught to not value very much as I was growing up, thanks to the help of a couple master herbalists/organic gardeners/permaculture practicing friends who are willing to share space, time, and knowledge.

And most helpful of all, I have an amazingly supportive husband who I've been with for over 15 years who helps me meet my basic needs, allowing more time for genuinely nurturing practices that ultimately help us both in the wellness arena, as well as many others, as I pay forward what I've learned in many ways.

Hope that satisfies your curiosity. Is there something preventing you from enjoying nature as much as you'd like? I assume that's why you asked, but please forgive me if I'm way off base.