PTSD and your WHY
Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) today different from years ago? When I asked my colleague how she defined PTSD, she stated that it is a severe trauma imprinted on one’s body that the mind cannot fully comprehend. Such a disorder occurs when a person experiences or witnesses a horrifying event. Later a particular action can trigger this traumatic experience leading to nightmares, anxiety, depression, and even outburst of anger. This triggered reaction repeatedly occurs because of the mind’s inability to process the WHY. Considering that the human body remains physically unchanged from generation to generation, I wonder if we are in a better position today than our ancestry was in dealing with PTSD. I believe the answer is found in the Old Testament in the Book of Ezekiel.
The prophet Ezekiel is God’s spoke person for Judah during the exile period. So, Ezekiel aids them with understanding the WHY of their captivity. However, can you imagine the level of PTSD that God's chosen people experienced during the Babylonian captivity when they physically left their homeland under duress and traveled to another country as enslaved people? First, they experienced a foreign invasion and a national defeat in which their king, princes, governmental officials, and leaders, including their prized youth, were deported to Babylon. The level of PTSD for God's people was so high that God allowed the prophet, Ezekiel, to accompany them into exile.
Please understand that Ezekiel never stops speaking God’s word, and he enlightens them on the WHY, even in Babylon. For instance, in Ezekiel 34:2, Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Shepherd derives from the Hebrew word pasture, which refers to feeding domestic animals. The shepherd symbolizes a leader, and the sheep represent the people under the rule of that leader. Therefore, leadership failure was the primary reason for their exile resulting in PTSD. In other words, when governmental and religious leaders fail to fulfill their God-ordained calling of taking care of people, the outcome leads to injustice and crime, followed by a society in chaos, causing PTSD. Leaders must become service multipliers instead of having a me-first mentality. Israel suffered from leaders with a me-first mentality with their evil kings, false prophets, and faithless priests. Their leaders primary objective focused on fattening themselves at the expense of others. Yet, in the same chapter, the prophet Ezekiel prophesies that a new day is coming when God will rule His people without assistance from man. 23 And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. (Ezekiel 34:23) This leader will teach and protect the people leading to peace, safety, and blessing. Together these intangible traits enable one to overcome any experience resulting in PTSD. Remember, in Jesus’ farewell speech to His disciple; He reminded them about peace as a remedy for His departure and the unknown task before them. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27) When considering safety when opposition becomes relevant, one must realize that the name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. (Proverbs 18:10) Finally, a blessing in the Bible is God’s favor poured into your life. Like Jesus, you must become a blessing to others instead of receiving and holding your blessings.
Due to the prevalence of horrific experiences and the reality of PTSD, instead of whining, realize your WHY. You must learn the WHY that led to the traumatic event resulting in PTSD because the WHY will enable you to become resilient and wiser while helping you better serve the Kingdom. If you failed to get sick, you would never develop a robust immune system to fight viruses. Equally, the WHY for PTSD will create more opportunities for the Kingdom’s sake. So, embrace your PTSD and allow God’s peace, safety, and blessings to empower your mind for Kingdom work. Our weakest moments are when God uses us most effectively.