If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.--Psalm 34:18, MSG

²⁰ As for you, you thought evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring about that many people should be kept alive, as they are this day.--Genesis 50:20, AMPC

The LORD revealed to me yesterday that, from early childhood (and maybe even in the womb, for I've learned these things can be passed down from generation to generation), I've been afflicted many ways, many times (however the enemy could--even through powerful spiritual leaders in my life, which to me, is really the worst of all), and this has stolen from me in many dimensions.

I'm talking about the demonic spirit of trauma. The devil is a bully, and often uses trauma. He loves to kick us in the gut and stab us in the back emotionally. 

Of course, since he has no body, he usually does this through people. Otherwise, he uses our thoughts.

Such pain and affliiction usually because of others not meeting our expectations, or totally doing something that seems out of character for them, especially when it's blatantly against God, and/or following a track record of wrong actions and attitudes, where you've continually had to forgive and let God heal your heart and build it back up to think right about them again--where you don't cringe when you see them or hear their name. 

All of these things are afflictions, by the way, and never from God!  They are the beginning of strife and can cause great strife, which breeds distraction and discouragement; internal strife. 

God says to avoid strife and keep aloof from it, and to not let our hearts have fear, agitating passions, and moral conflicts.

But refuse (shut your mind against, have nothing to do with) trifling (ill-informed, unedifying, stupid) controversies over ignorant questionings, for you know that they foster strife and breed quarrels.--2 Timothy 2:23, AMPC

And the harvest of righteousness (of conformity to God’s will in thought and deed) is [the fruit of the seed] sown in peace by those who work for and make peace [in themselves and in others, that peace which means concord, agreement, and harmony between individuals, with undisturbedness, in a peaceful mind free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts].--James 3:18, AMPC

Easier said than done, but the good LORD knows that. His Spirit is our Helper, Who is with us always, when we have received Christ as our Savior and LORD and stay close to Him. 

But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.--John 14:26, AMPC

Avoiding strife is a main reason He commands us to forgive, walk in love, esteem others, and set our minds on things above. 

And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.--Colossians 3:2, AMPC

To avoid strife and stay in perfect peace every day can be almost impossible for us to do, although our spirits (which are perfect in Christ) want to. Only He can help us do so!

 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.--Romans 12:18, AMPC

One way we can do this is to say, "Holy Spirit, I yield to You."  (I've learned to say, "Holy Spirit, please let Your gentleness be evident to all; not mine, but Yours!"

Brethren, if any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and  reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also.--Galatians 6:1, AMPC

These things usually "blindside" us, which is also the enemy's plan; to attack when we are the most vulnerable and the least suspecting.

It's really all about distracting us from our purpose. It's about trying to discourage us from following God. 

The battle is not really between us and the enemy, but about the enemy trying to hurt God and stop His plan. 

However, God will not be stopped and cannot be stopped.

Exclaiming, To You we give thanks, Lord God Omnipotent, [the One] Who is and [ever] was, for assuming the high sovereignty and the great power that are Yours and for beginning to reign.--Revelation 11:17, AMPC

Although things look terrible in this world, the LORD by His Spirit helps us remember we are not from here (Thank God!); our true residence and citizenship is in Heaven!

Therefore you are no longer outsiders (exiles, migrants, and aliens, excluded from the rights of citizens), but you now share citizenship with the saints (God’s own people, consecrated and set apart for Himself); and you belong to God’s [own] household.--Ephesians 2:19, AMPC

Once we receive Christ Jesus as our Savior and LORD, we are seated in Heavenly places--until we leave God and decide to vacate our seat (That's another sermon, but I've learned that our names CAN be blotted OUT of the Lamb's Book of Life! God forbid! However, God is so merciful and patient, thank goodness, and always responds to our sincere repentance!).

When this has happened to me, I have clung to the hope and faithfulness of God and His Word. There have been a couple of times in my life--before I knew what I have learned about how to recognize trauma and overcome with the triumph of my Savior--that I just had to get alone with the Word of God and paper and pen in a quiet place, and write Scripture after Scripture.

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me] you shall be saved; in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength...Isaiah 30:15, AMPC

This truly saved my mind; the Living Water of the Word is what you need to wash the mud and junk of life from your soul!

This can come through Bible-based worship, which is also very powerful in my life.

Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].--Romans 12:2, AMPC

The LORD will lead you to what will be best for you to overcome the junk! Great is His faithfulness and love for us, His kids!

What the enemy means for evil, God will always work for good (Genesis 50:20)! Also, far greater is the Healer in true Believers, than the enemy who's defeated in the world! 

Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater  (mightier) than he who is in the world.--I John 4:4, AMPC

Jesus is our Jehovah Nissi, Who fights for us.

In whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us. --Nehemiah 4:20, AMPC

Here is something else you can do, when this mess comes: (1)Forgive out loud the person(s) whom the enemy used to cause the trauma. Speaking out loud is so important here, especially when you do not want to do it! (2) Ask the LORD to forgive them, and to help you not speak negatively about them to anyone; (3) Take authority over the spirit of trauma (and any other negative emotion) and tell it to go from you, then command peace to rise in your soul; (4) Laugh on purpose!

A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.--Proverbs 17:22, AMPC

GOD IS FOR YOU! NONE CAN BE AGAINST YOU! HALLELUJAH!

Then shall my enemies turn back in the day that I cry out; this I know, for God is for me.--Psalm 56:9, AMPC

What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?]--Romans 8:31, AMPC

Through books, courses, presentations, service, prayer, worship, and more, Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. Her series for girls, P.O.W.E.R. GIRL ADVENTURES, is now out (books I-V), along with LEGACY; YOUR HOLY HEALTH: VISIONS OF THE KING, and more. See the "River Rain Creative" YT channel.