Religious Trauma
ː 5 MINUTES READ
Accidentally scalded my right fingers trying to pour out some boiling water this morning, I was frustrated and felt silly while all I could do was run my fingers under cool water and started praying to God to heal so that I can still use my fingers. I am now typing this with only seven fingers… losing the thumb, index, and middle finger to agony.
Technically I can still function but my soul is traumatized from the second it happened. What if, the boiling water was at 120 degrees and more? What if it spilled over my body? What if my fingers got too burned?
I burst into tears while praying endlessly for healing. Then finally peace came over, I googled how to treat scald at home. Applied celltrex and I made myself another cup of coffee, sitting here writing.
This is an event that I may remember for a long time and I will not be using that electric pot again. Maybe if someone eases me back to trusting it or get a better one.
Relating back to religious trauma. Many of us believers might have been traumatized by certain experiences as childhood Christians. This explains why we are afraid to be call out as staunch believers.
For a long time, I disagreed with the term “Staunch Christianity” because it only carries ground that we have to be good Christians at all time. obviously, i could not keep up.
Strangely people deem Christianity as perfect.. (oooof) I grew up afraid to make any mistakes that took me out of context. Now with some maturity, and constant reading of God’s word. I figured out it was a childhood (young) religious trauma that entangled me to think following Christ meant that we have to be conformed to the way a church (in the 80s-90s) taught us to be.
I’d rather stay in the grey and draw out boundaries to how often Jesus is mentioned in my conversations. Though I believe in God I choose to bury the good news from others because I am still healing from the trauma as a young believer. There was fear of being criticized and judged for the lifestyle I had.
Fortunately, God is a good God and He advances with time too. He sent Jesus to shift our perspective on our religious system. You see, people were already confused many thousands of years ago. The fall of mankind was evident that we have fallen short yet it has always been God’s grace that allows us to carry on a relationship with Him. If it was only about God’s wrath, no other man will be able to fulfill their destiny to the full potential God has designed. There will be no Abraham, no Moses, no Noah, and many more.
/ Deuteronomy 31:8
“The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."
Wondered why God made us wait for Jesus to arrive on earth as a baby, growing up like any of us? I think it is the way of life that God designed to be. Gently preparing us for the end times when Jesus arrives again. Most importantly, He knew we are a work in progress.Transformation can take place from our hearts out.
Back to the word: Merriam Dictionary describe staunch (/stɔːn(t)ʃ/) as steadfast in loyalty or principle; a staunch friend/person
So, does being a staunch [loyal] Christian [friend] make us perfectionistic?
(pəˈfɛkʃənɪst ) a person who strives for or demands the highest standards of excellence in work
The answer is clearly no. Change does not happen overnight. Bad habits or characters takes time to cultivate into good works. We are constantly a work in progress. So why do we have a spiritual taboo around staunch christianity? Do you think it is because others have yet to fully comprehend God’s love for us? That a lot of work needs to be done so that we can stay on the path to the golden stairways? How much more must we do & do in order to complete a non-existence SOP?
Aren’t you grateful to know God accepts us for who we are, knowing that we have far greater potential living with Him; a God-centric life?
Let’s read some scriptures to recognise if we’re living in a religious trauma, contributing fear to our state of mind; living less in God’s grace and promises.
TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE.* Human skepticism, even to the point of cynicism is fueled by the world around us. Started back in the garden when the first of mankind believed a lie rather than trust their Creator (Gen 3:1–7).
/ Genesis 3:3-5 /
It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.
“You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”
I AM NOT QUALIFIED TO RECEIVE GRACE.* The good works we do are evidence of God’s love and grace, it does not mean salvation. This means, that nothing we perform can measure what Christ has done on the cross for us. (2 Cor 3:4-6)
/ 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 /
We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life.
GRACE DOES NOT GO FAR.* People often put limits on how many times a person has appealed to God for His grace because of repeated failures. Thankfully, God’s grace is greater than our failures, fears, doubts, and expectations of others. Also, we carry the breath of God – Holy Spirit living in us that extends us peace to forgive others and ourselves.(John 20:21-23)
/ John 20:21-23 /
Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
I am gripping from this random writing. 🤯 The revelation of God’s nature is so real to me rn. Also, my fingers are no longer swelling, its a little stingy but it is functioning very well. Amen!
Having said all that, I am not sure how to end this writing but let me just pray over those who are still hurting or afraid to step up in boldness for the name of Jesus. May the reading of this scripture breath God’s peace into you right now, unveiling God’s Glory of this new covenant – the Spirit living in us (even as imperfect humans). We don’t need to seek out perfection, just stay in awe of our good good Father.
/ 2 Corinthians 3:9-15 /
If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God! In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new way. So if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever! Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold. We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away. But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.
*Some content abstract from Trip Kimball
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