Below is a podcast from the presentation of “Post-Traumatic Stress.” For the various counseling options available from this material visit www.summitrdu.com/counseling.

  • The “Post-Traumatic Stress” seminar is also available in video format.

NOTE: Many people have asked how they can get a copy of the seminar notebook referenced in this verbal presentation. You can request a copy from Summit’s admin over counseling at counseling@summitrdu.com (please note this is an administrative account; no individual or family counsel is provided through e-mail).

Step 9
“Learning to Live ‘For’ Instead of ‘In Response To’ Again”
STEWARD all of my life for God’s glory.

“God has shown me great grace; grace greater than my pain. I am learning what it means to live out of my new identity in Christ. That has pushed me to ask the question, ‘How can I be a conduit of God’s grace to others?’ As I have sought God, examined my life, and consulted with fellow believers, I believe this [describe] is what it looks like for me to steward God’s grace now.”

Memorize: I Peter 4:19 (ESV), “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” As you memorize this passage, reflect upon these key points:

  • “Those who suffer” – In the capital “T” suffering of trauma or suffering’s lesser expressions, we all need this passage.
  • “God’s will” – How we reconcile intense experiences of suffering and God’s will may be a mystery until we see Jesus.
  • “Entrust their souls” – Life is a choice between entrusting our souls to God or seeking to protect ourselves.
  • “To a faithful Creator” – If you made it to this point in the study, you have many evidences of God’s faithfulness even after the experience of trauma.
  • “While doing good” – Without a returning sense of purpose-mission, suffering would drain our vitality for engaging life.

Teaching Notes

To “steward” something means to use it for God’s intended purpose. It is important to remember that what is being stewarded is the life of the group member in general, not the sin specifically.

“Having come to terms with the traumatic past, the survivor faces the task of creating a future. She has mourned the old self that the trauma destroyed; now she must develop a new self… The old beliefs that gave meaning to her life have been challenged; now she must find a new a sustaining faith (p. 196).” Judith Hermann in Trauma and Recovery

Overstatement: “The trauma is redeemed only when it becomes the source of a survivor mission (p. 207).” Judith Hermann in Trauma and Recovery

“PTSD is a serious and debilitating form of suffering. It can cripple a person’s ability to live life, relate to others, or function with some measure of stability. But it cannot prevent you from glorifying God. It can make it more challenging and difficult, but it cannot render you incapable of loving God and others by his grace (p. 30).” Tim Lane in PTSD

Other podcasts on emotions are available at:

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