Research shows an estimated 70% of adults in the United States have experienced a traumatic event at least once in their lives. Trauma can range from divorce to abuse to a global pandemic – something we all experienced. Even everyday stress has a cumulative effect.
Dr. Gregory Jantz is founder of The Center: A Place of Hope in Edmonds, Washington, a renowned treatment center for depression. He says when his clinic opened years ago, he “didn’t fully understand that most ailments and afflictions people deal with can be traced back to trauma of some kind. Any experience that leaves a person deeply wounded and feeling broken inside can have long-lasting detrimental effects.”
Dr. Jantz defines trauma as “any shocking event that strips a person of his or her fundamental sense of safety.” This includes:
- Incurable illnesses.
- Mass violence.
- Political division.
- Economic inequality.
- Natural disasters.
- Pandemics and shutdowns.
Traumatic stress causes our brain to flip into survival mode. Learning how to manage that stress is important to our physical and mental health. How do we do that?
It starts by remembering that even when life becomes heavy, God is with us. Isaiah 41:10, God tells us, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Encouraging words! In our suffering, there is hope.
Dr. Jantz joins me on Focus on the Family with Jim Daly to share how trauma impacts you and explain how to overcome it in healthy, godly ways. He discusses how to:
- Forgive to heal.
- Grieve your losses.
- Regain your physical strength and confidence.
- Reset your brain.
- Reconnect with trustworthy people.
- Revise your script.
- Reclaim your power.
- Reinforce your spirituality.
- Make hope a daily choice.
Dr. Jantz is the author of multiple books, including the one we discussed, Triumph Over Trauma: Find Healing and Wholeness from Past Pain, which is available for a gift of any amount. Click here for more information.
Tune in for our full conversation on your local radio station, online, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, via Google Podcasts, or listen on our free phone app.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and wounded by trauma, we have caring, Christian counselors who will listen, pray with you, and get you on a path toward healing and hope. They’ll also direct you to additional resources in your area if necessary. Call us, leave your name and number, and we’ll get back with you as soon as possible. The number during business hours is 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).
