Ptsd And Religion/ Spirituality

[zbztster]

I haven't found a solid thread on the subject PTSD and Religion/Spirituality so I thought I'd start one.

In my own journey I have found comfort in believing this world is part of a grand design and that I am a small but integral part of it. I have also found that no matter what walk of life we are from, most people believe in a "higher power" and many have confirmed that this belief is one of their strongest anchors.

I am a Christian by confession. I do, however, believe that spiritual matters are more mysterious than our finite minds can even begin to imagine let alone comprehend and therefore I view with caution those who attest to "having all the answers." In my opinion answers are formed in our hearts and through the fires of our experiences in proportion to true searching. It is my hope that we can share some of our own experiences, however diverse, and perhaps help each other define and strengthen our anchors.

I hope that those who participate in this thread will not use it as a means to promote or defend any particular religion or spiritual perspective but that we might embrace our diversity and build each other up through our personal beliefs.

 

[zbztster]

I should probably start this out by saying that I have found strength and healing in accepting the concept of a "higher power" in my life. I say "in my life" because I sense that IT is a part of me and I am a part of IT. One of the most positive benefits I have found is in prayer and meditation. To consider myself a small part of a larger organism helps me put my own suffering in perspective. I choose to believe that whatever this "higher power" is and however the ultimate purpose will be revealed, it is intended for our good and good can always be found for those who search.

This world is corrupt. We are all touched by that corruption. This is our struggle, to know the poison in our veins and yet be a part of the greater good, unto ourselves first that we may be the light of hope for others.

 

[Britt.f7]

I do not believe that I am deeply religious, but I do believe it was God who made the things I had to endure not as bad as they could have been. I felt protected at some level, and this started as a child. That didn't mean bad things weren't going to happen. To me, it just meant they weren't going to be worse. I've pretty much held that belief into adulthood. I do know I don't believe that he is to blame for the bad things because I believe we have free will. We make our choices. In some instances, obviously, people made them for us.

After I had my first inpatient treatment while in my teens, my dad sat me down to read the book of Job. He wanted me to see all Job went through and how he never blamed God. Needless to say this did not mark a positive for religion.

When I decided to divorce my first husband, because it was a healthy thing to do, my dad told me that I was going to hell because it was never okay to divorce. One exception was for infidelity. Funny thing is, my dad divorced my mom. But, I guess he didn't think it applied to him, because he asked God into his heart. Not another good moment for religion.

I am Catholic, but I do not believe in everything that they believe in. I had a great priest who taught me acceptance of others religions. When I tried to commit suicide and was in the hospital, he came to visit me. He could have given me the God fearing speech, but he didn't. Instead he talked about judgement. How he sometimes dealt with it too and how to deal with it. He was very compassionate. One of the few people who were after I tried to die.

I went to a Lutheran College and had to take a Bible class. I was terrified of this because I feared Judgement. However, our teacher, who was also a Pastor, had a broad open mind and had studied theology. He was also a Pastor in the Navy. Despite my fear, there was no judgment.

I try to learn more about other people's religions. I'm accepting of their differences. Most beliefs all hold similar foundations of Christianity. Not that they came from Christianity. I realize that there are atheists out there. I can't entirely see how they do that but that is because I grew up with faith instilled. However, I respect their differences too. I'm not here to force my views on anyone. Despite being taught as a child you should spread the word, I don't. I mean, when the conversation comes up I might discuss my beliefs, but I don't force them on anyone. That isn't fair.

What it boils down too, it is what I needed to keep me safe inside as I was growing up. It was the only thing I could be sure about, regardless what other people said or did. It isn't as easy now that I'm grown up and no longer think with a child's mind. Still I try. I still believe that things aren't worse because of Him. That includes mental as well as physical health.

Thank you for bringing up this topic. It will be interesting to see what other's think. Hopefully, people will keep it in an open minded non judgement way.

 

[The Albatross]

There has been a few, here and there. But I prefer to think of myself as body/mind/soul/spirit. And have no qualms about a "higher power". It was demonstrated to me in very specific ways... plus I'm still breathing. By all accounts I "should" have been dead by now. But His ways are mysterious... so I'm rolling with it.

I'm a hybred though... some Baptist and various other Christian denominations... and some Tao. I have many Asian friends who are Buddhist. We have some interesting discussions on whether or not Buddha was the forerunner of Christ.. I have been widely exposed to many beliefs... and tend to hold my personal ones away and apart from others. Though I can be blunt, from the way the spirit moves me from time to time. All in for an open minded non judgmental discussion if others are up for it.

Edited to add: I neglected to say my own denomination is PCA Presbyterian. I am an evangelical Protestant Christian by choice.

 

[zbztster]

I think the one interesting common denominator about Religion/Spirituality is that most of the people I meet and talk to about this topic agree that they have a "spiritual connection" but that in many cases it is not clearly defined. Like, "I know it's there I just don't know what it is!"

 

[KatB]

Spirituality and faith play a big role in the world we live in. Lately, my vision and distortion of God have come due by circumstances. I I've always believed in God due to strong Catholic family. I always thought that God was this great, majestic being and that He was to be feared.On my own, I converted to the Evangelical Christian faith and struggled to be the perfect or the best Christian I thought so should be. A lot of stigma and criticism comes to those who leave the faith and if bad things happen to them, its because they left the faith and need to repent from their evil ways. I believe in action and consequences. My trouble has come from that point of view,because of so many things that occurred while I left my church. My faith is a broken one and I m ashamed of that because the people I thought Should be most honest with, turned out to disappear and never write or talk to me, even when I pushed them away at first.That's when I realized I had ptsd and they just... vanished.

It's become more difficult than I thought I could handle and God has become someone for me to blame. But I am not ashamed that I believe in a God and that He views things from a different perspective than I.

 

[zbztster]

Thanks Kat. I was mad at God too. I was on a mission in a third world country when I was ambushed, shot and kidnapped. I'd been in pretty deep before but this was by far the worse. I kept God at arms length while the PTSD brewed in my guts. I eventually had to find my way back to Him because I realized that there was nowhere else to go if I wanted to get back to reality. I learned a huge lesson. My PTSD thrives in a warped reality, it takes on a life of it's own and distorts everything. I find that getting back to Religion/Spirituality is one of the most dynamic therapies out there. It gets me back to truth, re-defines my reality and helps me embrace hope.

 

[KatB]

Thank you for understanding me, zbzster. I've been experiencing the worst symptoms of ptsd,complex lately. Sorry for your experience. Somehow, everything is always tied back to Jesus/religion/Spirituality.

Somedays are worse than others, I see.

 

[Tinyflame]

I'm not quite sure, how exactly to define what are anchors, just the feeling of being anchored. I also agree that ptsd thrives under hopelessness. And causes dis-order.

I don't mind whatever anyone believes or not. I tend to try to go by what a person does, and look for the good things they do.

I feel better if I can go to church, it's for me. (Though negative environments and words don't help.) But then I've heard that no one can out-do 'God' in generosity, so God seems pretty generous when I don't expect (or deserve) it.

I don't think at this stage I could bear a condemning version of God. It doesn't really make sense to me if God=love.

I think God prefers that I say it like it is (to 'Him'), more so than trying to keep up a brave front. Or maybe any front at all.

I don't think I've felt mad at God, sometimes for certain, but there are times it feels He's let me down. Or that He certainly doesn't care. Or I'm out of range of that care or thought. That's an awful feeling, sort of like there's nothing here and nothing afterwards.

But I think of a prayer also, that said, "..diabolical nets are thrown to wrench the faith from hearts". "Wrench" is the word that gets me, because anyone knows who has experienced it that if something is 'wrenched' away it's usually by the means of some horrific, unimaginable, unexpected, terrible of sorrows, experience. I don't think 'God' does that to anyone, I think He went through that also. So He really 'gets' it.

I think I have been very fortunate to have lots of God-given amazing things happen, even small ones that defy common explanation. In my heart, I think God is more kind, and vulnerable as in having feelings, too, etc, than He is explained as. If He is= love (interchangable words).

Someone said once here on this forum, that a friend asked them to write down how 'God', or their Higher Power, was to them. It was all negative. Then their friend asked them to write down what they needed God to be (like). And the friend said, 'that is who God is for you'. I think God 'is' (or can be) for each person what they personally need.

Just my .02 cents.

 

[DharmaGirl]

I believe all paths lead to enlightenment. I am Buddhist and I work hard at walking the eightfold path. I was raised Catholic, know a lot of the new testament, and I hope everyone finds as much peace and healing in their spirituality as I do in mine.

 

[Lionheart]

I lost faith in organized religion a very long time ago, and yet I do have an eclectic brand of universal spirituality that I follow, which includes all the positive precepts of the major religions. Including but not limited to Christianity, Wicca, and Buddhism, etc., etc.

When I was first battling the effects of acute CFS symptoms I was very ill and I had to simplify my beliefs and make it workable for me...The end result was this; I believe in karma, angels, prayer, and love. It may be an oversimplification but these beliefs brought me much comfort and healing when I really needed it the most and I too hope that others will find peace and comfort through their own religious/spiritual beliefs/practices.

Thanks for the topic and for allowing me to put in my humble 2 cents.

 

[JustBe]

I find organized religion very "triggering". I'm probably using the word incorrectly (sorry), but I can't think of a better way to describe the anxiety,panic and feelings of being trapped when people speak to me or (worse) at me about their faith.

I was used by a man who used religion to justify himself. I can't explain further...having a panic attack...:(