Treating Trauma (Pt.3)

  • By Sis. Betty Edmonds, ARChiver of ARC Ministries Inc
  • 28 Feb, 2024

Speaker: Bishop Dr. Robert A. Merriwether, Sr.

Our preacher/teacher is certainly one who meditates on scripture; lookout for good content and, in general, work on his craft and above all, trust God! Today’s message (A triple series on the above subject) was dispensed in such an instructional, wise manner!

Trauma: Many of us never get over it--we just grow over it!  Specifically, we are allowed to remember the event(s) and the feelings we experienced. But, we are not permitted to feel overwhelmed by our emotions!   It’s amazing how a policeman can catch a crook! It’s not because of one’s presence, but his fingerprints are all over the place at the crime scene!

We have additional handprints in our lives outside the ones that we were born with. Never close the chapter of a book on the pain (abuse, betrayal, abandonment. etc.)! They create a different system within our being!

A spirit has its own arrangements of operation—for example, cancer! It can advance in us until it’s too late! Oftentimes, we become victims of such devastating disease! Thus, we wish we had a fresh life and start because of what occurred! There are two ways the enemy tries to destroy us: 1) Via a bulldozer and blood force trauma effect! That’s externally where torment can happen quickly! 2) Or, a termite or reaction which is internally--where you slowly are destroyed by hate, rage, unforgiveness and anger)!  

It’s interesting because we all have different ways of wanting to free ourselves. With some people, it’s hygroscopic, Tylenol, icepack. Others, it’s nothing at all! When caring for a patient, never tell he/she that they are not in pain!

It’s amazing how people will tell someone to get over a situation! If you were in my “shoes” and I was in yours, it makes a big difference! We all could have been in the same fire but we have a different level of injury from the same fire! It ranges from smoke insulation to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Degree Burns!

If I suffer from smoke insulation, I’m on a Restoration Floor. If I suffer from the latter, you are on another level. Just because you’re on a different floor doesn’t mean you were not in the same

fire! Have you ever been burn before? There are underlined tissues! That’s the place where you can’t feel anything! It’s not only what you did to me but the aftermath!   Someone mess you up so bad!

There are burns that are superficial in nature. There is some stuff that only affected you on the outer surface. First-degree (superficial burns) affect only the epidermis or outer layer of the skin. The burn site is red, painful, dry and with no blisters. Mild sunburn is an example! Second-degree (partial thickness) burns involve the epidermis and part of the dermis layer of the skin.

Third-degree (full thickness burns destroy the epidermis and dermis. It gets into your sweat glands and underlined tissues because you can’t feel anything.

Fourth Degree burn is the fat of the body which supports the body. They are serious and affect more than just your skin. The longer you wait to seek treatment, the higher your risk of potential life-threatening complication, such as loss of circulation and organ damage. Amputations are also possible! People can mess you up so bad that it took away your support for them!

Fifth Degree goes into the muscle! You took my strength! I was strong when I first met you but now you’ve made me weak!   Sixth Degree Burns goes from the muscles to the bones! The complete structure of my thinking is traumatic! You cheated on me! I’m messed up since I left the altar!

Our demonstrator took a rope (depicting one bound in a drastic position)! The victim, if he wants, may leave and keep going. But, the further he gets away from him, he is still connected (mentally) to him!  

You may escape but the trauma goes with you! Some people don’t realize that they are linked or in close proximity to the oppressor because of the frightening experience! Worshippers are even traumatized! Most of the times, you can’t see trauma. When things happens, it's done in dark places where nobody notices! It spreads—like “wildfire!”

Lord, treat my trauma! Deacon Walton (the participant) cannot even physically put his hands on me any more! But, what he did to me still has a hold on me! It started out with the perpetrator causing me to have a troubled mindset! I got messed up! What he did to me, rubbed off on you! People do trade traumas!

The “hurt” doesn’t care who they “hurt.” Their warped handprints are on me! Be mindful and careful because trauma is real--it’s spiritual!   Sometimes, we try to figure out how to untangle it! You can scramble an egg but not unscramble it! If not prayerful and careful, the enemy will have you in a scramble predicament!

Trust is like money! I sowed something into a relationship…a trust account! As a relationship progresses, trust increases. The trust account grows! Whereas, when someone puts something in he/she, instead, takes it out!   You took from me—worth, value, stimulus! What did I do? Broken confidence creates trauma! Someone is traumatized because said person fell to keep his/her word.

Yes, it does matter what you’ve done but I have a choice—it will “make me or break me!” It may not have been my fault but it’s my responsibility! God will protect us in our innocence and use it for ministry in our later adulthood! Some of us should have lost our minds…been in a straight jacket, but God kept and preserved me! I have some deep burns that went down to my structure. God is going to repair your framework! What man torn down, God will build back up!!

If you’re dealing with shock or strain, it takes a skilled hand (God) to bring you out! You can create a bigger mess that was already made in your life if God is not included in the equation! God is calling you! Come with a broken and contrite heart!

Indeed, our overseer is a capable and prepared leader! He’s also diligent in incessant Biblical study, delivers the Word in such a lightning-rod fashion, protector of the lowly & zealous in the gospel of grace & redemption; also denouncing evil and upholding what he believes is true!

We thank the Lord for how He has groomed our First Lady, Shania Merriwether (FLOTA) for the ministry! She is one who truly seeks God’s will, His heart and plan for her life!

Note: I want to say “Thank You” to Publications Staff Member, Sis. Jackie George, who is always willing to record notes in my absence! I deeply appreciate you, prompt, efficient and skillful archiver! May God forever bless you!

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