Finding Strength Through Belief in Jesus Christ

First, let’s clear up the myth that choosing to believe in Jesus Christ makes battling depression and all the other effects of trauma easy. It does NOT. But choosing to believe even in our darkest moments—especially in our darkest moments—can keep us from drowning in the storms of despair. We can find strength through belief in Jesus Christ.

Choosing to Believe in a Higher Power

There is strength in accepting that there is a Higher Power—a kind and powerful force that can extend our understanding and resolve our own powerlessness.

Accepting that reality is difficult in the face of betrayal and enduring the perpetual pain of abuse. It seems that relying on an outside, Universal force would increase our sense of powerlessness. But the opposite happens. Believing in a Higher Power that gives us the power we need to move through the anguish that haunts us and forward to a more beautiful life.

Eyes to See

Trauma of any kind limits our vision of the world. Our body, mind, and even spirit are forced into survival mode. We can only see what is immediately around us. The moments that our power is taken away blind us to the bigger picture. The soul-ripping pain we are left with can cause a long-term blindness to life beyond the trauma.

So how can the blindness be cured? The first step is in admitting our vision is limited. When our physical eyesight fails us, we seek the help of a professional. We work to find ways to improve our vision. We can do the same for our life-vision.

Focus on the Light

Dealing with the devastating effects of the abuse I suffered made me feel like I was crazy and hopeless. The effects of the trauma threw me into a gnawing pit of despair that blinded me to the possibilities of anything good. Hope was lost in the darkness—almost.

But even in the moments of deepest despair, there was a distant, tiny spot of light. Around the light, thoughts of things I read about Jesus Christ and His love floated in and out 2 Cor 1:3-4. A choice was gently given to me. I could focus on the light and find my way forward or close my eyes to any hope or help.

Sometimes, I worked toward the light, only to be knocked down again by resurfacing pain. It felt like the light was just teasing me—a mirage meant to make me believe in something that wasn’t there.  But shutting my eyes to the light made the pain heavier and eventually unbearable. If I didn’t trust in the light somewhere ahead, the anguish in my soul would destroy me. I needed the strength that came with believing in Jesus Christ.

Ultimately, it was about accepting that I can’t walk this path alone. And I don’t need to.

Accepting that reality improved my life-vision. I saw that the light was not a promise of ease or a magic cure, but a promise of better ability to see and feel the joy of the light parts of the journey. The truth is that there is light and joy even during the hardest times. There is strength in choosing to believe in Jesus Christ.

A Choice

Each step of the way, we have a choice to make. Do we believe in the power and love of our Higher Power? Or do we succumb to the power of the trauma that haunts us? Alcoholics Anonymous Step 2 states that, “We came to be aware that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”  I love that they use the word restore.

When we are dealing with the devastation of abuse, the resulting illness is not a reflection of what is lacking in us. It is simply a manifestation of what has been lost. In first dealing with my own trauma, I thought something was wrong with me. The truth is there was something wrong with what happened to me.

Over the years, choosing to believe in Jesus Christ has opened my eyes not only to the good in the world, but the good within me. Keeping our focus on the light and the promises of comfort and peace Jesus offers empowers us to overcome. It gives us strength and opens our eyes to life outside the abuse, the trauma and the pain.

Regardless of the pains and heartache we are called to go through, each of us can find light and hope, ultimately thriving in a life that is uniquely our own.

The Power to Choose