Defining Trauma

Trauma.

What do you think of when you hear that word?

What about PTSD “Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome”?

Most people will tell you that it is a medical condition. Something you see a doctor about. Something you take a pill for. Yes, certainly people experience physical trauma.They see a doctor for cuts, bruises, breaks, bumps and scrapes. This is entirely an appropriate response.

But how about emotional trauma? In the Hebrew language, the word “Trauma” translates as a“Wound”. The trauma discussed above describes a “physical wounding” of the flesh. Emotional trauma is a wounding of the soul (soul wound) and no number of visits to a doctor or use of medication will ever bring healing to a soul wound.

With a physical wound, the doctor will wash the wound with an antiseptic wash and apply an antibiotic creme. With an emotional wound (soul wound) you still need to see a doctor. That doctors name is Jesus Christ. Emotional trauma or soul wound is caused by a spirit, a strong man. That strongman’s name is “Trauma”, and it manifests itself differently in every person. Trauma has many names and wears many hats, but “Trauma’ by any other name is still“Trauma”. The treatment for the soul wound is the same as a physical wound. The only difference being the antiseptic wash and the antibiotic creme that is applied to a soul wound is the blood of Jesus. Only the blood of Jesus can bring healing to a wounded soul.

Trauma is the tool Satan uses to bring disruption and chaos to all of humanity. Ever since the trauma that Adam and Eve experienced, when they sinned and lost their relationship with their creator, every person on earth has been touched and affected. When we experience emotional trauma, it makes an imprint on our soul and that imprint will always be with us. For the unbeliever, their soul wounds can never be healed because they do not recognize Jesus Christ as their doctor. Satan will continuously pick at their wounds to keep them from healing. The unbeliever will go to his/her grave under the adverse influence of their wound. Even we believers are affected by this spirit. We have experienced soul wounds and Satan will also attempt to keep our wounds from healing. Our only recourse is to continue to plead and apply the blood of Jesus to our wounding and to bind that strongman from his plans and schemes against us. We need to pray that the negative images, unhealthy beliefs and destructive memories would be found, opened and healed by filling us with the light, life and love of God.

The Church cannot pray effectively against this spirit, if it remains unrecognized and misunderstood. We need to pray with discernment, understanding and with specific, focused prayers. Trauma affects individuals, families, people groups and nations. It is the calling of every believer, to pray for all unbelievers, that the “strongman of trauma” will be broken off every life and pulled down in every nation. Our focused prayers are the only way that people and nations will be healed and set free.