Healing Combat TraumaSample

Perception and Self-Perception

Our identity is extremely important. It is not something that we or those around us should be confused about. Both perception and self-perception must be accurate.

When a person experiences severe trauma, their self-perception is often shaken to the core. Before trauma, a person may see themself as rational, self-sufficient, adaptive, strong, and worthy. But after trauma, that image of self can be torpedoed. Feelings of fear, confusion, powerlessness, and helplessness may overshadow the positive characteristics. The effects of this negative transformation of your self-image don’t remain in the psychological realm. They bleed into your behavior too – your plans, activities, priorities, reactions, values, hopes, dreams, ambition, social interaction … the list goes on and on.

That’s why knowing who you are in Christ is so important. Read the statements below to remind yourself who God says you are in His Word. Come back to these truths daily to renew your mind.

· I am regarded -I am a friend of the Almighty God of heaven and earth. (John 15:15)

· I am important -I have been rightly called a child of God. (John 1:12)

· I am forgiven -I am no longer condemned. (Romans 8:1)

· I am valued -God loves me with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3)

· I am accepted -I am accepted in Christ. (Ephesians 1:6 NKJV)

· I am powerful -God has given me the Spirit of power, love and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

· I am lovable -I am loved by God and nothing will keep us apart. (Romans 8:38,39)

· I am connected -I am intimately attached to Christ and bearing fruit. (John 15:5)

· I am a member of God’s eternal family– I have been adopted as a child of God, and I have brothers and sisters in Christ who can love and encourage me through my journey of healing. (Galatians 3:26)

Thought of the Day: Trauma may try to tell me who I am, but only God determines who I really am. That’s why I will hold tightly to the truth of my God-given identity, an identity that no trauma can ever take away from me.