Triumph Beyond the Terror

When we feel safe, we have the freedom to get curious about our experiences and our reactions. We gain an opportunity to really lean into what our fear is communicating to us rather than become stuck in disorienting cycles of being controlled by it. Every thought and feeling we have has a story to tell us. When we are safe, we can listen. We can lean into the stories we tell ourselves rather than distract from them.

Try as we might, we can’t outwork the terror. No awards or accolades will make it go away. No shaming will change the biological reality we carry in our fear. We can’t run away from it. It lives in our bodies and goes wherever we go.

The good news is that we can heal even in the face of trauma and terror when we dare to give ourselves the gift of safety and rest even before we feel like we’ve deserved it. That may look like taking a break from going to certain places, interacting with certain people, or doing certain things to allow yourself to experience a level of safety. Meeting other people’s expectations of what you should or shouldn’t be able to do based on what you’ve experienced is not going to help you heal. Nor will pushing yourself to keep doing things that make you feel fearful, anxious, and shameful. Giving yourself tenderness, mercy, and safety will.

The life you want to live is possible. The joy you want to know is real. Your momentary fear is normal; your terror is not. Your armor is cracking because it’s time for healing; it’s time for the abundant life you dreamed of—a life made for the real you. In the safety of being released from the grip of terror, your most authentic self can breathe deeply, even if it’s just for a moment. The truest version of yourself can be tended to, understood, and healed. There is triumph beyond the terror.

Keep a journal and record how the exercises this week combined with the Scriptures you have read affect your sense of safety and your level of fear. Consider seeking the help of a therapist to help you continue your journey toward freedom and healing.

Was this plan helpful? We adapted this plan from Why Am I Like This? How to Break Cycles, Heal from Trauma, and Restore Your Faithby Kobe Campbell. Check it out for more.