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As I kick off my podcast, I’ll begin by introducing myself and then dive into our first series: 10 Steps to Healing from Childhood Abuse.
Step One …Breaking the silence
And all of us, as with unveiled face, because we continued to behold in the Word of God as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord Who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:8 (Amplified Bible)
I am well aware this is a very hard subject to talk about. But if you or anyone you know has been victimized by this horrible crime, it is so important that you realize there is hope and promise for complete healing. The more we expose this crime the less power it has over us and the more we are set free from it’s effects.
The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8 (NLT)
Emotional symptoms of carrying this secret into adulthood?
Depression, anger, fear, guilt, difficulty establishing relationships, repeated victimizations, sexual problems in marriage, poor self image, shut off of emotion and a myriad of physical symptoms.
And physically?
Diseases that are associated with childhood trauma are many due to the extreme toll it takes on the body through the stress of denial and trauma.…
We were not meant to carry these secrets around with us. Jesus said to bring our heavy burdens to him and he will lighten our load. We have to get out of our comfort zone of silence however to get to that place.
There is a lot of fear and dread at the prospect of allowing ourselves out of the box of denial, but it is the beginning of healing.
Breaking the silence is The very first step towards healing. It is important to share with someone who is trusted and where you feel safe. Not with someone who will re-victimize you by not listening or knowing how traumatic this event really is. I suggest a Therapist or Life Coach who specializes in this trauma.
Until we can get to that place of finally letting go of the dreaded secret it will have power over us to keep us controlled in so many ways.
When a child has been traumatized with molestation or incest, they either block out all memories and have all the mental and physical manifestations that accompany keeping the memories shoved down deep into their psyche, or they have all the memories, but have blocked out all the emotional turmoil that goes with it.
In STAGE ONE of healing we allow ourselves to remember….and share.
Determine where you are in this process. Here are 7 steps to evaluate where you are at the beginning of healing….
1. Are you in a breakthrough crisis, having gained some sense of your abuse.
2. Have you determined that you were physically, sexually or emotionally abused as a child.
3. Have you made a commitment to recovery from you’re your childhood abuse. (commitment if very hard for victims..we tend to want to control our own environment for fear someone else will violate us….and it is mostly a sub-conscience thing we don’t even realize)
4. Are you willing to go to that place of memories as they surface in your mind. And tell someone who will just listen?
5. Can you accept that you were powerless when you were victimized and do you hold THEM responsible and not yourself?
6. Can you see that your shame and anger is a consequence of being abused, and if so, are you willing to not turn it against yourself anymore or on others?
7. Can you sense your inner child whose efforts to survive now can be appreciated.
Throughout this season of your journey that I walk with you I will be suggesting some tools you can use to help you along the process of recovery. I encourage you to buy a journal and keep track of your healing journey. Take Him back to that place with you. Allow Him to shelter you as that child and heal you from the inside out.
And then allow some quiet time after wards to allow Him to speak to your heart….step out in faith and just write what you hear in your spirit. It is a great tool in learning to hear His voice and allowing him to go to those places of pain with you.
For more information about Dixie’s ministry, visit www.reflectionsofgracehome.com