
The first traumatic experience I had in my life was at the age of five when a drunk driver went through a stop sign smashing into my dad’s car. I was in the front seat with no seatbelt (not invented yet...yikes that speaks of my age) and nearly went through the windshield. I hit the dashboard and woke up in hospital. As a result of that accident I stuttered for several years. My ability to ride in a car was fine until at the age of thirteen my oldest sister was killed in a head on collision. As a result of that fear gripped me and I became a great backseat driver. Not really! I would clench becoming tense and was always putting my foot to the break even though I was not driving! If Jim would go to pass a car I would be so filled with fear that my heart would race.
Trauma effects how a person reacts and how they respond to situations. In the first instant my body was hurt with my mind responding in the situation by try to protect me and help me recover. But that instance also opened a door to the spirit of fear to operate in my life. Then, when my sister died, it was as if a stronghold took place. The enemy had a doorway from the first incident but now had a platform to perform in my life. My entire being was affected.
Trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience. Our entire being responds to a traumatic event and it can cause emotional shock and anxiety. Depending on the nature of the trauma, the stress can lead to depression, fear and neurosis.
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