When someone you love is battling Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), it can feel as though a stranger has moved into their body. You see the person you knew, but they are often eclipsed by symptoms that feel overwhelming: the sudden “shrieking” of a panic attack, the darkened understanding caused by constant hyper-vigilance, or the heavy weight of depression that makes them feel “crushed and broken into pieces.”
Watching a loved one struggle with flashbacks, night terrors, or emotional numbness can make you feel helpless. You might wonder if God sees the “gravel” in their mouth or the “stinging” in their mind. But the Gospel brings a revelation of grace that is designed specifically for the “downtrodden” and the “bruised.” God is not a distant observer; He is the Great I AM who does not change, and His will is to set the oppressed at liberty.
The Power of a Strong Spirit
In the realm of the spirit, peace and joy are the primary evidence of strength. When a person is battling PTSD, their spirit often feels weak and “darkened.” This isn’t because they lack value, but because the trauma has acted as an oppressor, trying to “thump” them on the head and take away their confidence.
However, the Bible tells us that the “joy of the Lord is our strength.” This joy isn’t a happy feeling based on circumstances; it is a spiritual “recharge.” Even when the outward man is struggling with the physical effects of trauma, the inward man can be renewed day by day. As you stand in the gap for your loved one, recognize that God’s Spirit is working to “bind up that which was broken” and to put a “freshness” back into their life. He fills our lives with good things so that our youth and mental clarity are renewed.
Scripture 1: 2 Corinthians 4:16
“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”
Believing the Gospel of Liberty
When Jesus encountered those who were “vexed” or “crushed,” He didn’t tell them to be thankful for their “snake.” He dealt with the oppression and restored them to their right mind.
Jesus was anointed specifically to “set at liberty them that are bruised.” The word “bruised” here refers to those who have been broken into pieces by the pressures of life. PTSD is a “bruising” of the soul, but the anointing of the Holy Spirit is the “sting-remover.” God works miracles among us not because we have perfectly obeyed every law, but because we believe the Gospel—the good news that Jesus has already redeemed our lives from destruction.
Scripture 2: Ezekiel 34:16
“I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick…”
The Confession of Victory
Success in the face of mental and emotional torment is assured because we have a High Priest of our confession. When the “outlaw” of fear tries to take advantage of a loved one’s past, we must hold fast to the truth of redemption. Faith is thanking God from the heart for the healing that has not yet fully manifested.
If your loved one is struggling to find their voice or their “song,” remember that God promised that the tongue of the dumb shall sing and the stammerer shall speak plainly. This includes the restoration of a mind that has been silenced by trauma. Do not get “darkened” by griping or fault-finding; instead, keep your mouth filled with the “benefits” of God. He forgives all iniquities and heals all diseases—including the diseases of the mind and the trauma of the past.
Scripture 3: Psalm 103:2-3
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;”
Restoration to a Normal Lifestyle
In the New Testament, we see accounts of people who were so tormented that they couldn’t live normal lives in the community. But once Jesus dealt with the problem, a great change for the better came. They were restored to their families, sitting in their right minds, and clothed in peace. This is the inheritance of those who are “born of God.”
You are not just a relative of someone with a diagnosis; you are a “newborn brother or sister” in Christ with the power to release God’s grace into the room. Whether the struggle is a “level 1” anxiety or a “powerful spirit” of fear, the grace of God is sufficient. It is a demonstration of His great love toward us, in spite of ourselves. Take heart, stay “teachable” to the Spirit, and trust that the “sap” of the heavenly Vine is flowing into your loved one’s mind even now.
Helpful Resource: To understand the symptoms and standard support for trauma recovery, visit the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) PTSD Page.
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About the Authors:
Tony and Lorna Egar are Christians based in Brisbane, Australia.
Lorna moves in a gift of healing.
She has seen God’s power, heal many people.
Tony is a Christian author with 30 books published.
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