The general definition of "trauma" is anything that leaves a lasting negative impact on one's life. According to this broad definition, all of us have experienced one or more traumatic events during our lifetime.
There are several categories of traumas. Physical traumas include things like: car accidents, sports injuries, excessive discipline, mistreatment by a bully, military action, domestic violence and more.
Emotional or psychological traumas include: abandonment, rejection, betrayal, teasing, sarcasm, poverty, neglect, unemployment, and others. Abuse of any kind, whether physical, emotional, psychological, or sexual, would be considered sources of trauma.
When you think about it, most traumatic events touch our lives because of the poor choices and/or mean-spirited actions of people. If a person drinks too much and causes a car accident, their choice to drink and drive caused a trauma. If a parent is immature and ill equipped and chooses to beat a small child because the child is crying, that child experiences a trauma. If a young girl is sexually abused by her father, mother, or brother, she is traumatized by their choices to sin.
Most often, we experience trauma at the hands of other people. Isn't that why we self-protect and withdraw? Isn't that why we shy away from vulnerability in relationships and refuse to cry or be emotional in front of others because we might appear weak? Our greatest injuries happen because of the willfulness of those around us.
Yet, we learn about healing and wholeness through the healthy relationships in our lives. Although some people may believe it is possible to become healthy and whole without a relationship with God, I know from personal experience that God is the greatest and most profound source of healing, health, and wholeness. Our relationship with God is founded on His love for us. It is a settling thing to know you are totally and completely loved and accepted by God. He knows everything you've done, are doing, and will do. He knows every sin and yet chooses to not hold the past against us. His wrath has been appeased by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus. He knows our thoughts and choices. His sense of and demand for justice is satisfied because Jesus paid for the sins of the world via His sacrificial death on the cross.
Have you experienced one or more traumas in your life?
If you want to be healed, the first step is to establish a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
This is the first and foremost initial step toward healing because God becomes the most powerful, stable, unchanging source of strength, acceptance, love, and stability in your life.