1 00:00:02,720 --> 00:00:08,680 Speaker 1: Life Audio. What if the reactions you've judged yourself for 2 00:00:09,000 --> 00:00:15,000 Speaker 1: your hypervigilance, emotional numbness, sudden panic, or exhaustion aren't signs 3 00:00:15,000 --> 00:00:19,280 Speaker 1: of spiritual weakness or personal failure, but evidence of a 4 00:00:19,360 --> 00:00:24,160 Speaker 1: brain that has been doing all it can to keep 5 00:00:24,200 --> 00:00:29,080 Speaker 1: you alive. Post Traumatic stress disorder or PTSD is one 6 00:00:29,160 --> 00:00:37,040 Speaker 1: of the most misunderstood mental health conditions, especially within faith communities. Today, 7 00:00:37,280 --> 00:00:41,519 Speaker 1: on your Hope filled Perspective, I'm going to gently untangle 8 00:00:42,080 --> 00:00:47,080 Speaker 1: what PTSD truly is, what it is not, and how 9 00:00:47,120 --> 00:00:50,879 Speaker 1: God meets us, not just in the trauma itself, but 10 00:00:51,040 --> 00:00:56,560 Speaker 1: in the long, tender aftermath that follows. Welcome back to 11 00:00:56,600 --> 00:00:59,480 Speaker 1: your hope field perspective, where it's always our goal to 12 00:00:59,520 --> 00:01:03,720 Speaker 1: restore hope, renew minds, and empower listeners to live in 13 00:01:03,760 --> 00:01:06,920 Speaker 1: your God given identity. I will equip you with the 14 00:01:07,120 --> 00:01:11,200 Speaker 1: encouragement and biblical truth you need to walk in hope. 15 00:01:11,240 --> 00:01:15,559 Speaker 1: I'm your host, doctor Michelle bankson Board, certified clinical neuropsychologist, 16 00:01:15,760 --> 00:01:20,720 Speaker 1: author speaker, and your companion on the journey to mental, emotional, 17 00:01:20,959 --> 00:01:23,959 Speaker 1: and spiritual wellness. I'm so thankful you're joining me for 18 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:28,759 Speaker 1: today's episode. Today, I'm going to talk about understanding post 19 00:01:28,840 --> 00:01:33,319 Speaker 1: traumatic stress disorder, what it is, what it isn't, and 20 00:01:33,440 --> 00:01:37,600 Speaker 1: how God meets us in the aftermath of trauma. Will 21 00:01:37,680 --> 00:01:41,080 Speaker 1: dive in right after this brief word from our sponsor. 22 00:01:46,240 --> 00:01:52,320 Speaker 1: You love God, You've prayed, You've forgiven, So why does 23 00:01:52,360 --> 00:01:57,680 Speaker 1: your body still react as if danger hasn't passed. If 24 00:01:57,720 --> 00:02:01,240 Speaker 1: you've ever wondered why healing from trauma doesn't seem to 25 00:02:01,320 --> 00:02:06,440 Speaker 1: follow a neat, faith filled formula, this episode is for you. 26 00:02:07,040 --> 00:02:11,520 Speaker 1: In today's episode of your hope filled Perspective, I'm taking 27 00:02:11,680 --> 00:02:18,040 Speaker 1: a compassionate, science informed, but biblically grounded look at post 28 00:02:18,040 --> 00:02:23,000 Speaker 1: traumatic stress disorder or PTSD, what it is, what it isn't, 29 00:02:23,480 --> 00:02:28,840 Speaker 1: and how the God who heals hearts also tenderly restores 30 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:34,240 Speaker 1: traumatized minds and bodies. This is a sacred conversation. If 31 00:02:34,320 --> 00:02:38,000 Speaker 1: this topic touches something tender in you, I want you 32 00:02:38,080 --> 00:02:41,680 Speaker 1: to know you are not alone and you are not broken. 33 00:02:42,160 --> 00:02:46,560 Speaker 1: You are listening to this episode because something in your 34 00:02:46,680 --> 00:02:53,000 Speaker 1: story matters. Today. I'm talking about PTSD post traumatic stress disorder, 35 00:02:53,480 --> 00:02:59,639 Speaker 1: a term that's often used casually but misunderstood deeply and 36 00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:05,200 Speaker 1: sometimes minimized spiritually. My prayer is that by the end 37 00:03:05,240 --> 00:03:09,239 Speaker 1: of this episode, you will walk away with clarity, compassion 38 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:14,560 Speaker 1: for yourself or others, and hope rooted in both truth 39 00:03:15,200 --> 00:03:18,799 Speaker 1: and grace. As we begin our discussion, I want to 40 00:03:18,840 --> 00:03:23,079 Speaker 1: remind you of Lamentations three verses thirty one through thirty two, 41 00:03:23,280 --> 00:03:27,960 Speaker 1: that says, for the Lord will not cast off forever, 42 00:03:28,560 --> 00:03:32,680 Speaker 1: He will show compassion if you or someone you love 43 00:03:33,040 --> 00:03:37,520 Speaker 1: is dealing with PDSD. Let this be your reminder that 44 00:03:37,720 --> 00:03:42,400 Speaker 1: even now, God is compassionate towards you. Let's start our 45 00:03:42,480 --> 00:03:50,000 Speaker 1: conversation by understanding what PTSD actually is. PTSD is not 46 00:03:50,240 --> 00:03:57,240 Speaker 1: simply remembering something bad that happened. It is instead a 47 00:03:57,440 --> 00:04:02,960 Speaker 1: neurobiological response to trauma, a trauma being an event or 48 00:04:03,000 --> 00:04:07,520 Speaker 1: a series of events that overwhelm a person's ability to 49 00:04:07,640 --> 00:04:12,520 Speaker 1: cope and make sense of what's happening in the present moment. 50 00:04:13,440 --> 00:04:21,240 Speaker 1: Trauma can include abuse or neglect, sexual assault, domestic violence, 51 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:29,479 Speaker 1: combat or first responder experiences, medical trauma, sudden unexpected loss, 52 00:04:31,160 --> 00:04:37,960 Speaker 1: natural disasters, or even chronic exposure to unsafe environments, among 53 00:04:38,040 --> 00:04:41,360 Speaker 1: other things. It would be impossible for me to come 54 00:04:41,440 --> 00:04:46,600 Speaker 1: up with an exhausted list of where trauma comes from. 55 00:04:47,440 --> 00:04:52,880 Speaker 1: PTSD occurs when the brain's alarm system, primarily that structure 56 00:04:52,920 --> 00:04:57,360 Speaker 1: we've talked about before. The amygdala becomes stuck in a 57 00:04:57,400 --> 00:05:02,679 Speaker 1: heightened state of threat to detection. In trauma, the brain 58 00:05:02,960 --> 00:05:06,480 Speaker 1: learns one core lesson, and that is that the world 59 00:05:06,560 --> 00:05:09,520 Speaker 1: is not safe and I must stay alert to survive. 60 00:05:11,000 --> 00:05:14,000 Speaker 1: That's the core lesson that the brain learns. The world 61 00:05:14,240 --> 00:05:17,920 Speaker 1: is not safe and I must stay alert to survive. 62 00:05:18,520 --> 00:05:24,160 Speaker 1: And here's something vital to understand. PTSD is not a 63 00:05:24,200 --> 00:05:28,279 Speaker 1: failure of faith. It is the result of a God 64 00:05:28,480 --> 00:05:36,560 Speaker 1: given nervous system that adapted to survive overwhelming circumstances. So 65 00:05:36,600 --> 00:05:41,760 Speaker 1: now that we know what PTSD is, let's talk about 66 00:05:41,920 --> 00:05:48,720 Speaker 1: what PTSD is not. This is where shame often creeps in, 67 00:05:49,200 --> 00:05:54,880 Speaker 1: especially for believers. PTSD is not a lack of trust 68 00:05:54,920 --> 00:05:59,520 Speaker 1: in God. It is not a refusal to forgive. It 69 00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:05,160 Speaker 1: is not a sign of emotional immaturity. It is not 70 00:06:05,480 --> 00:06:10,680 Speaker 1: a spiritual stronghold caused by insufficient prayer, nor is it 71 00:06:10,920 --> 00:06:16,359 Speaker 1: a conscious choice to stay stuck. Let me say this clearly, 72 00:06:17,000 --> 00:06:24,520 Speaker 1: your trauma responses are not moral failures. They are survival responses. 73 00:06:25,279 --> 00:06:28,279 Speaker 1: When someone says I don't know why I still react 74 00:06:28,320 --> 00:06:33,719 Speaker 1: this way, the answer is often because your brain learned 75 00:06:33,720 --> 00:06:38,200 Speaker 1: this pattern before you had words, theology, or a choice 76 00:06:38,200 --> 00:06:42,440 Speaker 1: in the matter. You see, the body remembers what the 77 00:06:42,680 --> 00:06:48,400 Speaker 1: mind would rather forget. Now that we know what PTSD 78 00:06:48,680 --> 00:06:52,640 Speaker 1: is and what it isn't, I want to continue our 79 00:06:52,760 --> 00:06:57,680 Speaker 1: conversation about how trauma affects the brain and body, and 80 00:06:57,839 --> 00:07:01,160 Speaker 1: we'll talk about that right after this brief word from 81 00:07:01,160 --> 00:07:09,080 Speaker 1: our sponsor. Now that we know what PTSD is and 82 00:07:09,120 --> 00:07:13,480 Speaker 1: what it is not, let's talk about how trauma affects 83 00:07:13,520 --> 00:07:18,240 Speaker 1: the brain and body. Because trauma doesn't just affect our 84 00:07:18,400 --> 00:07:25,120 Speaker 1: thoughts and our emotions, it affects our entire system. When 85 00:07:25,160 --> 00:07:31,640 Speaker 1: trauma occurs, the amygdala becomes overactive, the hippocampus, which is 86 00:07:31,800 --> 00:07:36,920 Speaker 1: basically the memory integration center, may go offline, and the 87 00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:41,600 Speaker 1: prefrontal cortex, which is the part of the brain responsible 88 00:07:41,680 --> 00:07:49,360 Speaker 1: for logic, reasoning and discernment, becomes less accessible. That's why 89 00:07:49,440 --> 00:07:55,680 Speaker 1: trauma survivors may feel hijacked by their emotions, may struggle 90 00:07:55,880 --> 00:08:00,880 Speaker 1: to regulate emotions, may have intrusive memories or in nightmares, 91 00:08:01,920 --> 00:08:06,760 Speaker 1: Some may feel numb or disconnected, and some may be 92 00:08:06,920 --> 00:08:14,120 Speaker 1: easily startled or constantly overwhelmed. This is not because God 93 00:08:14,160 --> 00:08:19,520 Speaker 1: has abandoned them. It's because the brain is prioritizing survival 94 00:08:19,880 --> 00:08:26,800 Speaker 1: over reflection, and that is where faith and neuroscience beautifully intersect. 95 00:08:27,600 --> 00:08:33,199 Speaker 1: God designed the brain for protection and for healing. Scripture 96 00:08:33,240 --> 00:08:38,160 Speaker 1: tells us that God knit us together with intention, and 97 00:08:38,320 --> 00:08:42,719 Speaker 1: that my friend includes the brain. The same brain that 98 00:08:42,840 --> 00:08:49,040 Speaker 1: learned to protect you can also learn safety. Again. We 99 00:08:49,080 --> 00:08:52,160 Speaker 1: talk a lot on this podcast about Romans twelfth two 100 00:08:52,720 --> 00:08:58,719 Speaker 1: because it reminds us that transformation involves renewal, and as 101 00:08:58,800 --> 00:09:02,640 Speaker 1: much as we don't like I get, renewal takes time. 102 00:09:03,520 --> 00:09:08,439 Speaker 1: Healing from PTSD is not a moment. It is a 103 00:09:08,640 --> 00:09:12,880 Speaker 1: process of retraining the nervous system to recognize that danger 104 00:09:13,480 --> 00:09:17,480 Speaker 1: has actually passed. And here is the hope felled truth. 105 00:09:18,120 --> 00:09:22,920 Speaker 1: God does not rush the healing, He himself designed to 106 00:09:23,120 --> 00:09:27,040 Speaker 1: unfold gently. So let's talk about where God meets us 107 00:09:27,559 --> 00:09:33,199 Speaker 1: after trauma. One of the most painful misconceptions I encounter 108 00:09:33,480 --> 00:09:38,200 Speaker 1: is this belief God was there during the trauma, but 109 00:09:38,400 --> 00:09:41,200 Speaker 1: now I have to figure out the aftermath all on 110 00:09:41,240 --> 00:09:44,240 Speaker 1: my own. Really, nothing could be further from the truth, 111 00:09:44,760 --> 00:09:48,320 Speaker 1: because if we allow him to, God meets us in 112 00:09:48,400 --> 00:09:53,040 Speaker 1: the state of hypervigilance in the confusion, in the exhaustion, 113 00:09:53,679 --> 00:09:58,200 Speaker 1: and in the slow rebuilding of trust. Psalm thirty four, 114 00:09:58,320 --> 00:10:01,720 Speaker 1: verse eighteen tells us that the Lord is near to 115 00:10:01,760 --> 00:10:04,960 Speaker 1: the broken hearted, not just at the moment of impact, 116 00:10:05,280 --> 00:10:08,680 Speaker 1: but in the long seasons of repair. God is not 117 00:10:08,800 --> 00:10:13,760 Speaker 1: disappointed by your symptoms. He is present in your healing. 118 00:10:14,720 --> 00:10:17,400 Speaker 1: But here's a crucial point to remember, and that is 119 00:10:17,440 --> 00:10:22,000 Speaker 1: that faith does not bypass our nervous system. One of 120 00:10:22,040 --> 00:10:26,160 Speaker 1: the most damaging myths within Christian spaces is the idea 121 00:10:26,240 --> 00:10:31,960 Speaker 1: that spiritual maturity should override physiological responses, that if our 122 00:10:32,120 --> 00:10:37,840 Speaker 1: faith is strong enough, our bodies should simply fall in line. 123 00:10:38,040 --> 00:10:43,640 Speaker 1: But scripture never teaches that faith erases biology. God designed 124 00:10:43,720 --> 00:10:47,560 Speaker 1: our nervous system. He created the pathways and our brains 125 00:10:47,559 --> 00:10:52,240 Speaker 1: that respond to danger, the store memory, and that regulate emotion. 126 00:10:52,840 --> 00:10:56,800 Speaker 1: Trauma does not mean that those systems malfunctioned. It means 127 00:10:57,240 --> 00:11:03,720 Speaker 1: they functioned exactly as to designed. But in an overwhelming situation. 128 00:11:04,679 --> 00:11:09,080 Speaker 1: When someone experiences trauma, their nervous system learns to stay 129 00:11:09,240 --> 00:11:14,360 Speaker 1: on high alert. That's not rebellion, it's protection. The problem 130 00:11:14,480 --> 00:11:18,240 Speaker 1: arises not because the system is sinful, but because it 131 00:11:18,480 --> 00:11:23,600 Speaker 1: never received the signal that the danger has ended. Faith 132 00:11:23,679 --> 00:11:29,040 Speaker 1: practices like prayer and worship and scripture are powerful tools 133 00:11:29,080 --> 00:11:32,480 Speaker 1: for healing. I've talked about those many many times, but 134 00:11:32,679 --> 00:11:37,680 Speaker 1: they do not pass the nervous system. They work with it. 135 00:11:38,200 --> 00:11:42,240 Speaker 1: That's why you may deeply believe God is good and 136 00:11:42,320 --> 00:11:45,200 Speaker 1: yet still feel panic in your body. That's why you 137 00:11:45,280 --> 00:11:50,640 Speaker 1: may intellectually know you are safe and still experience racing thoughts, 138 00:11:50,880 --> 00:11:54,320 Speaker 1: tightness in your chest, or a sense of dread that 139 00:11:54,400 --> 00:11:58,360 Speaker 1: seems to come out of nowhere. Your faith resides in 140 00:11:58,400 --> 00:12:03,760 Speaker 1: your heart and your mind, but trauma often lives in 141 00:12:03,840 --> 00:12:07,960 Speaker 1: the body, and God cares about both. In fact, many 142 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:12,360 Speaker 1: of the spiritual disciplines that we practice are actually regulating 143 00:12:12,440 --> 00:12:17,959 Speaker 1: practices from a neuroscience perspective. Prayer helps slow our breathing 144 00:12:18,400 --> 00:12:23,840 Speaker 1: and calm the vagus nerve. Worship engages bilateral stimulation and 145 00:12:23,960 --> 00:12:31,840 Speaker 1: emotional processing. Scripture meditation helps restore that prefrontal cortex engagement, 146 00:12:32,640 --> 00:12:37,480 Speaker 1: and the practice of lament allows for emotional integration rather 147 00:12:37,559 --> 00:12:42,199 Speaker 1: than suppression. God did not design spiritual practices to shame 148 00:12:42,320 --> 00:12:46,720 Speaker 1: us into healing faster. He designed them to gently lead 149 00:12:46,800 --> 00:12:52,920 Speaker 1: us back into safety, connection, and trust, and sometimes God 150 00:12:53,040 --> 00:12:57,800 Speaker 1: uses additional tools to support that healing. Trauma informed therapy 151 00:12:57,920 --> 00:13:01,319 Speaker 1: is not a substitute for faith. It's often a means 152 00:13:01,360 --> 00:13:07,160 Speaker 1: through which God brings restoration. Medication, when appropriate, does not 153 00:13:07,440 --> 00:13:13,480 Speaker 1: indicate spiritual weakness anymore than medication for diabetes does. It 154 00:13:13,559 --> 00:13:17,880 Speaker 1: can help stabilize the nervous system so that spiritual truths 155 00:13:18,440 --> 00:13:21,600 Speaker 1: can be received more fully. I want you to think 156 00:13:21,640 --> 00:13:24,400 Speaker 1: of it this way. If someone broke their leg, we 157 00:13:24,520 --> 00:13:28,280 Speaker 1: would not tell them to pray harder instead of setting 158 00:13:28,280 --> 00:13:32,800 Speaker 1: the bone. In the same way, when trauma disrupts the 159 00:13:32,880 --> 00:13:38,079 Speaker 1: brain's ability to regulate fear and stress, it is not 160 00:13:38,320 --> 00:13:42,880 Speaker 1: unfaithful to seek help. In fact, quite to the contrary, 161 00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:49,040 Speaker 1: it is wise. God often works through skilled clinicians, supportive communities, 162 00:13:49,640 --> 00:13:55,680 Speaker 1: evidence based treatments, and safe relationships. In fact, healing is 163 00:13:55,760 --> 00:14:03,440 Speaker 1: often relational, not just theologicalhaps Most importantly, faith does not 164 00:14:03,960 --> 00:14:09,320 Speaker 1: require us to rush the process. The Bible is filled 165 00:14:09,360 --> 00:14:16,319 Speaker 1: with stories of gradual restoration over years and decades people 166 00:14:16,760 --> 00:14:23,440 Speaker 1: God walked with patiently, tenderly, and over time. Trauma healing 167 00:14:23,640 --> 00:14:28,440 Speaker 1: follows the same pattern. Sometimes healing includes trauma informed therapy. 168 00:14:28,880 --> 00:14:33,760 Speaker 1: Sometimes it's breathing exerciseuses are grounding techniques to bring us 169 00:14:33,800 --> 00:14:39,280 Speaker 1: back into the present moment. Healing sometimes requires medication when appropriate, 170 00:14:39,800 --> 00:14:46,520 Speaker 1: safe relationships, and practicing rest and regulation. Seeking help, my friend, 171 00:14:46,840 --> 00:14:51,960 Speaker 1: is not a lack of faith. It's an act of stewardship. Friends. 172 00:14:52,040 --> 00:14:54,880 Speaker 1: We're going to take a short break for this message 173 00:14:54,920 --> 00:14:58,200 Speaker 1: from our sponsor. When we return, we will turn our 174 00:14:58,240 --> 00:15:04,520 Speaker 1: conversation to discussing reframing what healing from PTSD really means. 175 00:15:04,960 --> 00:15:09,440 Speaker 1: We'll be right back now. I want to turn our 176 00:15:09,480 --> 00:15:15,720 Speaker 1: conversation towards reframing what healing from PTSD really means. Another 177 00:15:15,760 --> 00:15:21,560 Speaker 1: reason why PTSD can feel so discouraging is because many 178 00:15:21,600 --> 00:15:25,920 Speaker 1: of us carry an unrealistic picture of what healing is 179 00:15:26,480 --> 00:15:30,280 Speaker 1: supposed to look like. Sometimes it's really based on what 180 00:15:30,320 --> 00:15:35,800 Speaker 1: we hope healing will look like. We imagine healing as 181 00:15:36,480 --> 00:15:41,800 Speaker 1: having no more triggers, no more emotional reactions, no memories 182 00:15:41,840 --> 00:15:46,840 Speaker 1: that resurface, and no fear or anxiety or startle response. 183 00:15:48,120 --> 00:15:52,160 Speaker 1: My friends, Having that picture of healing sets people up 184 00:15:52,200 --> 00:15:58,440 Speaker 1: for disappointment and unnecessary shame. Healing from PTSD does not 185 00:15:58,720 --> 00:16:04,160 Speaker 1: mean erasing your store. It means integrating it. Healing means 186 00:16:04,280 --> 00:16:09,400 Speaker 1: the trauma moves from the driver's seat to the back 187 00:16:09,480 --> 00:16:13,160 Speaker 1: seat is still part of your life story, but healing 188 00:16:13,280 --> 00:16:17,680 Speaker 1: means it no longer dictates your every response. You will 189 00:16:17,760 --> 00:16:22,760 Speaker 1: likely still remember what happened, but healing means the memory 190 00:16:23,400 --> 00:16:28,720 Speaker 1: no longer overwhelms your nervous system. You may still feel emotion, 191 00:16:29,480 --> 00:16:34,080 Speaker 1: but healing means it no longer controls you. And you 192 00:16:34,120 --> 00:16:37,840 Speaker 1: may still have moments of fear, but they pass more 193 00:16:37,920 --> 00:16:43,400 Speaker 1: quickly with greater awareness and self compassion. One of the 194 00:16:43,400 --> 00:16:49,160 Speaker 1: most profound shifts in healing is this you stop asking 195 00:16:50,120 --> 00:16:54,600 Speaker 1: what's wrong with me and begin asking what happened to 196 00:16:54,640 --> 00:17:00,720 Speaker 1: me and how did my system adapt to survive. This 197 00:17:00,880 --> 00:17:07,000 Speaker 1: shift alone can dramatically reduce shame. Healing also looks like 198 00:17:07,920 --> 00:17:15,000 Speaker 1: increased capacity for rest, greater tolerance for emotion, improved ability 199 00:17:15,440 --> 00:17:21,680 Speaker 1: to stay present, more flexibility in your reactions, and renewed 200 00:17:21,720 --> 00:17:27,680 Speaker 1: ability to experience joy, connection, and hope. But I want 201 00:17:27,720 --> 00:17:33,000 Speaker 1: to remind you that healing is rarely linear. There will 202 00:17:33,000 --> 00:17:36,840 Speaker 1: be days when you feel strong and grounded, and probably 203 00:17:36,960 --> 00:17:42,480 Speaker 1: days when something unexpectedly activates old patterns. That does not 204 00:17:42,760 --> 00:17:47,400 Speaker 1: mean you have failed. It means your brain is still learning. 205 00:17:47,480 --> 00:17:52,960 Speaker 1: Safety in layers, Scripture reminds us that God's mercies are 206 00:17:53,080 --> 00:17:56,959 Speaker 1: new every morning. Not because we need to start over daily, 207 00:17:57,640 --> 00:18:04,000 Speaker 1: but because healing unfold in seasons. Isaiah forty three doesn't 208 00:18:04,040 --> 00:18:09,280 Speaker 1: promise that we won't walk through deep waters. It promises 209 00:18:09,440 --> 00:18:13,240 Speaker 1: we won't be overtaken by them. And that's a beautiful 210 00:18:13,359 --> 00:18:17,840 Speaker 1: picture of healing from PTSD. Healing from PTSD is not 211 00:18:18,080 --> 00:18:22,200 Speaker 1: about becoming who you were before the trauma. It's about 212 00:18:22,240 --> 00:18:26,400 Speaker 1: becoming who God is shaping you to be through it. 213 00:18:27,119 --> 00:18:35,639 Speaker 1: Many trauma survivors develop profound empathy, discernment, resilience, and spiritual depth, 214 00:18:36,080 --> 00:18:40,359 Speaker 1: not because trauma is good, but because God redeems what 215 00:18:40,600 --> 00:18:44,320 Speaker 1: was meant for harm. Your trauma may have changed you, 216 00:18:44,720 --> 00:18:50,560 Speaker 1: but it doesn't disqualify you. In God's hands, even wounded 217 00:18:50,720 --> 00:18:56,800 Speaker 1: places can become sources of compassion, wisdom, and strength. Going 218 00:18:56,840 --> 00:18:59,800 Speaker 1: back to my reference of Isaiah forty three, it reminds 219 00:18:59,880 --> 00:19:06,040 Speaker 1: us that God makes a way through, not around the waters. 220 00:19:06,320 --> 00:19:10,320 Speaker 1: And friends, if you have gone through a traumatic experience 221 00:19:10,359 --> 00:19:12,640 Speaker 1: and you wonder how can any good come from this? 222 00:19:12,960 --> 00:19:15,199 Speaker 1: And please encourage you to pick up a copy of 223 00:19:15,280 --> 00:19:19,160 Speaker 1: my book's Sacred Scars, resting in God's promise that your 224 00:19:19,400 --> 00:19:23,560 Speaker 1: past is not wasted. If you are listening today and 225 00:19:23,800 --> 00:19:27,080 Speaker 1: wondering whether healing is possible for you. I want you 226 00:19:27,200 --> 00:19:31,160 Speaker 1: to hear this. Your story is not over, your nervous 227 00:19:31,160 --> 00:19:37,000 Speaker 1: system is not beyond repair, your faith is not defective, 228 00:19:38,080 --> 00:19:42,720 Speaker 1: and your God is not distant. Healing may be slower 229 00:19:42,760 --> 00:19:47,120 Speaker 1: than you hoped, but it's not absent. As we come 230 00:19:47,200 --> 00:19:50,400 Speaker 1: to the end of this episode, I want to leave 231 00:19:50,440 --> 00:19:54,359 Speaker 1: you with this hope Field perspective. Friend. PTSD may be 232 00:19:54,600 --> 00:19:57,840 Speaker 1: part of your story or part of a story of 233 00:19:58,200 --> 00:20:01,879 Speaker 1: someone you love, it does not get the final word. 234 00:20:02,320 --> 00:20:08,119 Speaker 1: The God who sees, who restores, who redeems, He is 235 00:20:08,200 --> 00:20:12,720 Speaker 1: still at work in you, and even now, as you breathe, 236 00:20:13,400 --> 00:20:18,000 Speaker 1: as you listen, as you learn, He is meeting you here. 237 00:20:18,440 --> 00:20:22,480 Speaker 1: Let tewod Corinthians four, verse sixteen be an encouragement to you. 238 00:20:22,920 --> 00:20:27,199 Speaker 1: Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are 239 00:20:27,320 --> 00:20:31,480 Speaker 1: being renewed day by day. You may have been walking 240 00:20:31,520 --> 00:20:35,680 Speaker 1: through PTSD for a long time, but be assured that 241 00:20:35,880 --> 00:20:40,280 Speaker 1: God is still working to renew you each day. Friend, 242 00:20:40,359 --> 00:20:43,200 Speaker 1: thank you for spending a few minutes of your week 243 00:20:43,240 --> 00:20:46,639 Speaker 1: with me on your hope Field perspective. If today's episode 244 00:20:46,680 --> 00:20:49,560 Speaker 1: has touched your heart, or if you know someone who 245 00:20:49,600 --> 00:20:53,080 Speaker 1: is struggling with PTSD, and there are so many who do. 246 00:20:53,560 --> 00:20:56,600 Speaker 1: Would you please can share sharing this with a friend 247 00:20:56,880 --> 00:21:01,040 Speaker 1: who needs a biblically based hopefield perspective. I look forward 248 00:21:01,080 --> 00:21:04,280 Speaker 1: to being with you again next week, but until then, 249 00:21:04,720 --> 00:21:07,920 Speaker 1: it's my prayer for you that you have a hope 250 00:21:07,960 --> 00:21:08,520 Speaker 1: filled week. 251 00:21:10,359 --> 00:21:14,560 Speaker 2: Your ragged and torn past may be the key to 252 00:21:14,640 --> 00:21:19,560 Speaker 2: God's future for you. We all endure trials, pain, and 253 00:21:19,800 --> 00:21:25,199 Speaker 2: hardship in this life. Too often we believe these experiences 254 00:21:25,560 --> 00:21:29,960 Speaker 2: disqualify us from being useful to God. But the truth 255 00:21:30,080 --> 00:21:35,320 Speaker 2: is your past pain and brokenness serve as preparation for 256 00:21:35,440 --> 00:21:40,280 Speaker 2: what God wants to do in and through you, if 257 00:21:40,560 --> 00:21:47,000 Speaker 2: you will surrender to entrust Him in sacred scars. Neuropsychologist 258 00:21:47,080 --> 00:21:52,600 Speaker 2: and fellow sufferer, doctor Michelle Thankson helps you understand the 259 00:21:52,680 --> 00:21:56,960 Speaker 2: suffering from a biblical perspective, Discover how the trials of 260 00:21:57,000 --> 00:22:00,960 Speaker 2: your life serve a purpose, reflect on the healing that 261 00:22:01,040 --> 00:22:05,359 Speaker 2: God has accomplished, and comfort others, but the comfort God 262 00:22:05,440 --> 00:22:10,879 Speaker 2: has given you. Just as Jesus' scars didn't disappear after 263 00:22:10,960 --> 00:22:15,280 Speaker 2: his resurrection and confirmed that he was who he said 264 00:22:15,359 --> 00:22:18,200 Speaker 2: he was and that he did what he said he'd 265 00:22:18,200 --> 00:22:23,760 Speaker 2: do our emotional or physical scars tell our story and 266 00:22:23,920 --> 00:22:28,199 Speaker 2: lend credence to our testimony of God's love and power. 267 00:22:29,400 --> 00:22:32,440 Speaker 2: If you are ready to turn your past pain into 268 00:22:32,520 --> 00:22:37,000 Speaker 2: present comfort and future hope, let doctor Benkson be your 269 00:22:37,119 --> 00:22:42,400 Speaker 2: compassionate guide. Jill Savage, host of the No More Perfect 270 00:22:42,480 --> 00:22:47,000 Speaker 2: podcast in author of No More Perfect Marriages, have this 271 00:22:47,280 --> 00:22:51,080 Speaker 2: to say about Sacred Scars. While we wish for a 272 00:22:51,240 --> 00:22:55,360 Speaker 2: pain free life, the dark seasons are where God invites 273 00:22:55,480 --> 00:22:59,080 Speaker 2: us into the most growth. In the pages of this book, 274 00:22:59,359 --> 00:23:02,600 Speaker 2: you will come to understand how God uses pain in 275 00:23:02,800 --> 00:23:08,160 Speaker 2: powerful ways. If you're human, you need this book. Pick 276 00:23:08,240 --> 00:23:12,000 Speaker 2: up a copy of Sacred Scars wherever books are sold, 277 00:23:12,440 --> 00:23:16,000 Speaker 2: and watch God turn your pain into purpose. 278 00:23:20,400 --> 00:23:23,040 Speaker 3: Thank you for joining doctor Banks and to your hope 279 00:23:23,040 --> 00:23:28,240 Speaker 3: build perspective. We hope you are encouraged by her authenticity, vulnerability, 280 00:23:28,560 --> 00:23:32,359 Speaker 3: and biblical truths. If you enjoy today's conversation, when you 281 00:23:32,400 --> 00:23:35,720 Speaker 3: take a moment right now, open up your podcast app 282 00:23:35,840 --> 00:23:38,159 Speaker 3: and look for the subscribe button right next to our 283 00:23:38,200 --> 00:23:41,760 Speaker 3: podcast profile image. We think this podcast is best. 284 00:23:41,560 --> 00:23:44,200 Speaker 4: Enjoyed with friends, So tell a friend and click share 285 00:23:44,320 --> 00:23:46,800 Speaker 4: and in your podcast app and send a friend our 286 00:23:46,880 --> 00:23:50,479 Speaker 4: link to share Hope with them. If you have a comment, question, 287 00:23:50,840 --> 00:23:53,400 Speaker 4: or suggest a topic for a future show, reach out 288 00:23:53,480 --> 00:23:56,800 Speaker 4: to our staff at info at Hope Prevails dot org 289 00:23:57,000 --> 00:24:00,800 Speaker 4: for additional resources, information about doctor banks and books we're 290 00:24:00,880 --> 00:24:04,240 Speaker 4: free downloads, or to contact her to speak at your 291 00:24:04,359 --> 00:24:09,160 Speaker 4: next event, Please visit doctor Mischelbe dot com. Until next time, 292 00:24:09,600 --> 00:24:11,720 Speaker 4: May you have a Hope billedweek. 293 00:24:14,760 --> 00:24:17,159 Speaker 1: I'd like to take just a second to thank the 294 00:24:17,200 --> 00:24:20,160 Speaker 1: team at Life Audio for their partnership with us on 295 00:24:20,200 --> 00:24:23,160 Speaker 1: this podcast. If you go to lifeaudio dot com, you'll 296 00:24:23,160 --> 00:24:26,840 Speaker 1: find dozens of other faith centered podcasts in their network. 297 00:24:27,000 --> 00:24:30,720 Speaker 1: They've got shows about prayer, Bible study, parenting, and more.