“Cast all your worries upon Him because He cares for you” 1 Peter 5:7.
Recently I have had several discussions with people who wish that they could just turn off their brain or hit a reset button to a certain time period in their life. Usually a time where it felt like their world was better and more at peace. Our theme for healing PTSD this month is troubleshooting PTSD, so I began to think in terms of a machine. A machine usually has a reset button where all memory can be cleared or at least all memory up to a certain point. Using this reset button usually helps to clear up any problems or issues that you are having with the machine at least to the degree that makes it functional again. Though this is not the case all of the time.
In our own lives, we surely wish we could hit a button and reset everything; yet, even during times of trauma or chaos, there is often much goodness to be found. As I think about moments in our own family where we have been met with significant illness and tragedies, I cannot help but also recall the incredible support from our friends and family during those times. I would not have witnessed the great power of community and the internal fight of some to not only keep going, but to come out stronger than before. The conversations of love and togetherness would have been lost. The depth and richness of relationship between some never seen. And of course, God’s love and mercy, never witnessed. There are of course, “secret” traumas that some of us carry alone because they are so hard and hurtful that the thought of putting words to or sharing them with anyone sends us into an emotional tidal wave that if we could harness the power of and redirect might build up a nation.
So, today I am wondering — If you had a reset button, where or when would you use it? How do you see it as being a helpful tool? In what ways would it help you and our world?
Living in a world that sometimes feels chaotic and is filled with hurt or pain is not where we want to be, but it is sometimes our reality. We do not have to stay there though. It is possible to look around you and see all of the goodness that our world offers. Shift our focus. Ask God to cover us with His strength, love, and mercy. Breathe in deeply. Look up and SMILE. And, head into our day knowing that God’s love is beaming down on us. Let it warm and radiate through your body. Then walk forward with trust.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the work that You are doing in us. Thank you for helping us to find the people and tools we need to manage the load. Thank you for giving us a sense of wonder and time to ponder life with You. Thank you for the days filled with smiles, even when our life feels chaotic. Most especially thank you for the strength to help shift our focus and wait on you. In Your Name We Pray, Amen.
We definitely do not have a reset button, but we do have tools and resources in abundance to help us to shift our focus - the National Center for PTSD is a great place to start. Consider taking a moment today to check out and start the CRAFT-PTSD Course. Though it is listed with the tools for our veterans it is currently open to anyone.
Remember to tap into that sense of wonder as you head into the course. Ya’ll have a beautiful day!
All My Love,
Jen
For more information about Get Strong with Jen! click here.
To view 30 Days of Prayer for PTSD - Day 9 click here.
