Sunday, 11^th May, 2025

Bible Reading: Isaiah 53: 3-4

Memory Verse: The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. Psalm 34:8 (NLT)

Trauma-Informed Care Implementation Resource Center wrote: “A trauma is a pervasive problem. It results from exposure to an incident or series of events that are emotionally disturbing or life-threatening with lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, and/or spiritual well-being.

Experiences that may be traumatic include: 

I. Physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. 

II. Childhood neglect. 

III. Living with a family member with mental health or substance use disorders. 

IV. Sudden, unexplained separation from a loved one. 

V. Poverty. 

VI. Racism, discrimination, and oppression. 

VII. Violence in the community, war, or terrorism.

Although trauma can occur at any age, it has particularly debilitating long-term effects on children’s developing brains. Often referred to as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), exposure to these experiences is common across all sectors of society: 62% U.S. adults has at least one ACE. 25% of U.S. adults has three or more ACEs.

People affected by trauma may develop coping mechanisms to help alleviate the emotional and/or physical pain they feel as a result of trauma. Sometimes, these strategies involve maladaptive behaviours — such as unhealthy eating, tobacco use, or drug and alcohol use. These coping mechanisms may provide some relief, but they can also simultaneously contribute to anxiety, social isolation, and chronic diseases.

When a person experiences trauma, he or she may feel unsafe, betrayed, and/or have difficulty trusting others. This can lead to heightened emotions, such as anger or aggression, or a tendency toward shame, numbing, and/or isolation.

Toxic stress is an emotional and/or physical response that occurs when a person experiences strong, frequent, and/or prolonged adversity without adequate support.

Adults who experienced trauma in childhood are often “wired” differently than those who did not. Their brains, primed to deal with nearly constant stress, can struggle to respond appropriately to situations that would otherwise appear normal and non-threatening.

This partly explains why many adult trauma survivors struggle with depression, anxiety, and other issues related to emotional regulation. These resulting mental health issues can contribute to long-term difficulties maintaining healthy relationships, and lead to problems at school and/or work.

Quote: There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.

Prophetic Decree:  I cut off your traumatic past rearing its ugly head into your present and glorious future, in Jesus name. 

Prayer Focus 

1. Holy Spirit, walk back to my past and heal me, in Jesus name  

2. I receive divine intelligence to nip in the bud traumatised areas in my life, in Jesus name. 

3. Fire of the Holy Ghost, roast to ashes traumatised areas in my life, in Jesus name. 

4. O Lord, heal my broken heart, in Jesus name. 

5. I receive grace for self-mastery, in Jesus name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Samuel 10, 1 Chronicles 19, Psalm 20