Addressing our Emotions

God equipped we humans to experience a spectrum of emotions so expansive we can’t even begin to list them all. 

After betrayal, we feel a myriad of different emotions as well. Shock, denial, anger, scared, confused, panicky, relieved, sad/depressed, and hopelessness may be a few!

Sometimes it’s hard to pinpoint how we feel. We can’t think of an accurate word.

Naming what we are feeling helps us heal. This chart may help us choose a word and name it. 

See if you can find a word to describe what you’re feeling. Say it out loud—acknowledge it and try to process by searching the reason for WHY you are feeling this way. 

We have a right to our emotions: an injustice has occurred! When our world turns upside down, we need to feel all the feelings. We need to “feel to heal”. 

Our RESPONSE to our emotions is another story. We may feel indescribable anger, yet throwing plates or slashing tires is not the way to express it. (One of those “Don’t try this at home” warnings.)

It is still our responsibility to own our actions in response to what we feel. 

It’s ok to say, “I’m not sure how I feel about this right now” if you feel confusion. Leave the room, get alone to sort it out. 

Perhaps some grounding techniques with deep breathing are in order. Maybe it’s time for a cry or a lament before the Lord, or journaling about all those thoughts and feelings could be a beneficial form of release. 

Rest assured, God is more than able to handle ALL of our emotions—even when anger is directed at Him. He can handle it—Jesus understands (He experienced betrayal also) and He WANTS us to come to Him. 

Burying or ignoring our feelings doesn’t make them go away. They resurface until dealt with. 

Best advice from having been there, done that? 

Run TO Jesus—NOT AWAY from Him. The pain may be great, but Jesus is greater. 

Remember your identity in Christ. You are not what has been done to you, but WHO you are in Christ. Claim your inheritance and remember: You don’t have to walk this road alone. 

#betrayaltrauma #betrayaltraumarecovery

#healingfrombetrayal #lifeafterbetrayal #lifebeyondbetrayal #helpafterbetrayal #hopeafterbetrayal #wivescare #nameyourfeeling #neveralone

#identityinchrist