Moving Forward After Trauma

How can I move forward after experiencing trauma? How do I help others during this time?

Freedom Family. We have all been processing what took place last Sunday.

Yesterday there was a milestone moment as the staff came together at Lakewood to thank God for his protection and to stand firm together. The Osteen family encouraged us and we prayed and praised together.

There are different levels of trauma, and we all process things differently as well.

Even people like Laura and I who weren’t even in the building at the time of the incident felt like we were in a fog for about a day because of the connection we have with our church family. It’s normal to have a reaction. It’s also important to process it in a healthy way so we can move forward.

Do You need counseling or support? Make sure you get the help you need. Laura and I will be at church all day Sunday with others who will pray with you. You are not alone!

A big part of recovery is getting it out. Make sure you are able to share your feelings with someone. Don’t bottle it up and tuck it down inside. Your feelings are real.

In trauma recovery there’s something called “reclaiming your space”.
This is your church and the enemy can’t have it. It’s also a “safe space”. Not only are we thankful for God’s protection, there is security in place to protect us as well. I am so thankful for our first responders!

I remember after 9/11. People were afraid to fly. We had a trip planned with the kids just a few weeks later. The flight was empty and it was like we had rented out DisneyWorld for ourselves. It was probably the safest time ever to travel.

Some of you have asked what you can do. Here are three suggestions:

1. Pray. Prayer is the most important thing we can do as Christians. Pray about everything, pray without ceasing, pray for our enemies.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

2. Do not fear. Don’t let fear win out. Don’t shrink back. Join us in person if possible on Sunday. It’s the enemy who comes to kill, steal and destroy. Jesus came to give us abundant life (John 10:10). There is darkness in the world and the only way to overcome darkness is with light.

* Paul said in 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”. ≈ (Correction: Paul said in 2 Timothy)

3. Keep doing good. You don’t overcome evil with evil. We overcome evil with good. The best thing we can do is keep doing good. Keep bringing hope to others.

Romans 12:21 says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”.

Thank you all for reaching out and checking on all of us. We’ve received so many phone calls, texts and emails. We are truly family! We are better together! We are Lakewood Freedom Family

And we hope you will join us this weekend in person or online.

#freedom #lakewoodchurch #trauma #healing #resilience #joelosteen #recovery #movingforward #safespace #reclaimingyourspace #mentalhealth