Check out the featured post and read more here: https://www.ibelieve.com/devotionals/your-nightly-prayer/peace-when-youre-dealing-with-family-drama.html
Family drama happened in the Bible, but God can still use them and you!
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18, NIV).
SOMETHING TO PONDER
I grew up in a mildly dysfunctional family. By mildly dysfunctional, I mean that I was taught “someone always has it worse” as a means to cope. It wasn’t until I graduated from college and started attending therapy myself that I realized I’d endured decades of trauma.
For years, my home was not a haven. I heard screaming matches, slamming doors, and heated arguments on a weekly, if not daily basis. But worse than that, I myself became a victim of verbal and emotional abuse. I saw my siblings shoot up heroin, die, and come back to life, and I lost numerous family members to addiction. My relationship with 75% of my family became dangerous and unknown. I lived in a constant state of fight or flight, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. And yet, I truly believed this was “normal.”
I’ll never forget the day I had my first counseling session. I peeked into my counselor’s office as he ushered me in and invited me to sit on the red sofa. I was hesitant and anxious. He asked me to go over the paperwork I’d filled out ahead of time. “Oh, boy.” I thought to myself. He’s going to tell me, “Someone has it worse, too.” But he didn’t.
Instead, he looked at me intently with compassion in his eyes. “Amber, you’ve experienced decades of trauma, but you have little emotion towards it. Have you ever processed this?” His words caught me off guard. I’d faced trauma?
Over the last six years, my counselor and I have worked to unpack these feelings. To process them, develop healthy coping skills, and learn how to live. But none of that would’ve ever been possible if I hadn’t done two things:
1. Acknowledge that I was suffering.
2. Sought professional help.
