Tag: trauma

Christian, hope

Hope for Victims of Trauma

Cindy Dawson

Reflection for Friday, 7/10/26

I experienced trauma over 20 years ago, but PTSD can linger for many years, causing anxiety and unwanted dreams. When I read these verses, I prayed, Lord, help me forget. They encouraged me, and I pray they will encourage you, too.

“Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame.
    Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.
You will forget the shame of your youth
    and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. … Though the mountains be shaken
    and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
    nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
    says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” ” Isaiah 54:4 & 10 NIV (emphasis mine) Read full chapter

The Hebrew word for forget is šākaḥ. In Biblical Hebrew, šākaḥ is not just a passive cognitive slip of the mind. Instead, it signifies willfully moving past a trauma, letting go of a previous status, or no longer acting in accordance with past grief. (David Guzik)

We can’t do this in our own strength, but we don’t have to.

Although these verses are speaking directly to Israel, they reveal the heart of God. His compassion and unfailing love are beyond comprehension. With the help of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, may those who have experienced trauma remember no more.

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 NIV

This is the first step toward healing.

In His Love, Cindy

P.S. If this doesn’t apply to you directly, may you use it to comfort and encourage someone who needs hope.

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”

Psalm 122:6 NASB

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian

Will God Heal My Broken Heart?

Cindy Dawson

3-minute devotion for Friday, 11/28/25

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted…” Isaiah 61:1 ESV

Has something happened to you that you haven’t been able to recover from? Rejection, betrayal, loss, abuse, and trauma can be almost impossible to get over. Maybe you have been praying for God to heal your heart for a long time, and even though you have forgiven, the pain still refuses to dissipate.

In church recently, it occurred to me that this promise might not be answered in our lifetime, but only after we get to Heaven. (I don’t know why this never occurred to me before.) So I emailed my pastor and asked him what he thought. This was his response:

“I do think it’s possible for a broken heart not to be healed this side of Heaven, but I don’t think that should be cause for despair or giving up hope that such a healing will happen. I not only believe—but know—that God is able to “bind up the brokenhearted and set the captive free.” Pastor Jeff 

Then I went to GotQuestions.org, which I knew would give me pertinent scriptures and a Christian perspective. They said,

“God never failed one of His people when they cried out to Him, and He will not fail the heartbroken Christian who cries out to Him today. He may not always answer exactly in the way we would like, but He answers according to His perfect will and timing, and, while we are waiting for the answer, His grace is sufficient.” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

David, a man after God’s own heart, suffered many heartbreaking circumstances. Each time, he recovered and became an even stronger man of God. He was no stranger to betrayal.

He writes, “If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God.” (Psalm 55:12-14).

The closer the relationship, the greater the pain of betrayal. Take comfort in this:

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”   Psalm 34:18

Despite the pain, there is a way we can heal from betrayal. That power comes directly from God for those of us who put our hope in His unfailing love.

“…the Lord delights in those who fear him,
    who put their hope in his unfailing love.” Psalm 147:11

I put my hope in God’s unfailing love. Will you?

In His Love, Cindy

Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

RealChristianWomen.blog

Christian, God

He Restoreth My Soul

Cindy Dawson

For too many women, their past has dealt a cruel blow. I know women who have been betrayed, rejected, abused, and/or traumatized in terrible ways. One doesn’t just get over it and move on easily. The abuse may have affected her whole personality. Abuse can do that.

Step Up for Mental Health states, “Women who endure physical or emotional abuse tend to suffer from … post-traumatic stress (PTSD), depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts.” 

Some of the effects of trauma include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts.

But let me move on to the good news. The Good Shepherd restores my soul. That’s what Psalm 23:3 tells me.

“He restoreth my soul”

The Hebrew word for restore is sub. It means to recover, to bring back, to restore.

To restore means to bring back to a former, original, or normal condition; to bring back to a state of health, soundness, or vigor;

Have you ever had a piece of antique furniture restored? When you pick it up, it’s been restored to its original condition. No more scratches, no dull finish. It’s been restored to its original beauty!

The Hebrew word for soul is nepes. It refers to the life, the soul, the seat of emotion and desire.

We are not warped for life because of what may have been done to us in the past. God says He restores our soul. He will restore our soul to what it should be. He will heal our soul from the effects of past hurts, abuse, wrongs, trauma, and pain.

If you have endured abuse of any kind, you have likely read about how it can affect you. You may have read about depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc. You may even think of yourself as damaged goods. So now what?

Now it’s time to let your Father God restore your soul. Trust Him to do it. He loves you.

Not only will He restore your soul. He will use those past hurts to help others. You will have a compassionate heart that understands.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

God will use those past hurts for good.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

My prayer is that you will allow God to heal your hurts and pain, and restore your soul. If you have never memorized the 23rd Psalm, consider doing it now. It will be a healing balm to your soul.

Psalm 23 KJV

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

All Scripture references are from the NIV unless otherwise noted.

Photo by Rod Long on Unsplash

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