Day 6: Why Trauma Feels Stuck
Scripture:
Romans 12:2 – "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
Trauma has a stubborn way of getting lodged in our bodies and minds, almost like a bruise that never quite fades. For years, I battled unexplained chronic pain—pain that my doctors couldn’t put a name to and that I couldn’t shake, even after 28 years working in the mental health field. I had no idea that so much of what I was feeling was the physical echo of years spent keeping my trauma bottled up inside. My broken heart was festering, and every day brought the same struggles, sometimes with new symptoms that left me wondering if I’d ever find relief.
In those dark moments, when I had no one but God to talk to, each day seemed like an uphill battle. I’d wake up, brace myself for the pain, and hope that maybe, just maybe, things would be different. But they weren’t—until I finally found the right team to help me understand that this pain wasn’t a mystery, but a message. God was calling me to transform the way I was holding onto the past, and in doing so, renew my mind.
Understanding Why Trauma Feels Stuck
I learned that trauma doesn’t just live in our memories—it embeds itself in our muscles, our nervous system, and even our breath. The stress of holding everything in, of never giving myself permission to feel fully, created a constant state of tension. It wasn’t just mental; it was physical. And breaking free required more than just a change in perspective—it needed a change in how I literally breathed and moved through the world.
Romans 12:2 reminds us that transformation starts from within. It’s about renewing our minds and, by extension, our bodies. I found that the first step was to reconnect with the simple act of breathing, something I’d taken for granted during my worst days.
Healing Practice: The Body & Breath Reset
Today, I invite you to join me in a "Body & Breath Reset"—a practice that has been a lifeline for me. Here’s how to do it:
Find a Quiet Spot:
Take five minutes for yourself. Sit or stand somewhere you feel safe and undisturbed.Deep Breaths:
Close your eyes and take several slow, deep breaths. With each inhale, feel the possibility of renewal. With each exhale, let go of a bit of that tightness that’s been holding you back.Hand on Heart:
Place your hand gently on your heart. As you breathe, say quietly or out loud, "I am safe. God is renewing my mind. Healing is happening." Repeat this mantra until you feel a sense of calm starting to spread through you.
For me, these moments of mindful breathing became a way to signal to my body that it was okay to release the tension and pain that had accumulated over the years. It was a small but powerful reminder that healing is a process—and that even in the midst of pain, God is working to transform us from the inside out.
Moving Forward
Letting go of trauma is not a one-time event; it’s an ongoing practice. Every time you take those deep, intentional breaths and place your hand over your heart, you’re taking a step toward breaking the cycle. Even when your body aches and your mind feels burdened, know that each breath is a testament to your strength and a declaration that healing is happening.
Remember, transformation takes time. But with each day, with every moment you allow yourself to breathe deeply and release, you’re choosing renewal over resignation. Trust that God’s promise of transformation isn’t just for the big moments—it’s in these quiet, everyday resets that real healing begins.
In God's love...