Common Struggles with Faith and Spirituality
Following a violent experience, survivors sometimes turn to their faith-based community or church for guidance, support, and help in dealing with personal issues and questions of faith. Spiritual health is just as important as emotional and physical health - it is part of the person who was injured and is an area where healing may also need to take place. Some common struggles that survivors have with regard to personal faith and faith-based communities following trauma include:
- Anger over what happened, and possibly directed at the offender(s) or even God
- Withdrawal from people and normal every-day activities, including worship services and religious or spiritual practices
- Guilt over what might have been done to prevent the violence or protect oneself or others
- Making Sense of the trauma within the context of religious or spiritual beliefs (i.e. Why did God let this happen? What did I do to deserve this? Did this happen to me for a reason? How can I find peace again?)
- Frustration with the healing process, the criminal justice system, and relationships with loved ones who don't understand the impact of trauma
- Forgiveness of the offender(s) and possibly family and friends who may not have provided the necessary or expected support
- Adapting to a changed life and reconnecting with others, which may be very difficult and misunderstood by those who do not understand the effects of violent trauma
- Impatience with the healing process, because it can be difficult and take time to forgive, heal, and regain a sense of inner peace
It is important for survivors to have a network of support. However, it is hard for those who have not lived through violent trauma to understand how to help. Unfortunately, many congregations are simply not informed or aware of how to help survivors. This disconnect can leave survivors feeling isolated, and ultimately jeopardize the cohesion and strength of the faith-based community. In addition, the road to healing is often a long journey, and while some survivors receive support in the immediate aftermath, they often see their support networks diminish soon after. Survivors need consistent and long-term support throughout the often lengthy healing and criminal justices processes.
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