When Jesus was speaking to the “Jews who had believed in Him” in John chapter 8, He gives us a treasure trove – a map of ways we can come to His freedom. Yet, it can be so hard for those who are survivors of trauma.
Trust can be so hard after trauma.
Trauma so often comes in the season of our childhood. In the way the enemy plots & schemes [Eph 6:11] against our lives, he so often plans to plant his seeds early. We see this in the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13.
The enemy and the Lord are sowing seeds when the soil has yet no growth. This field is fresh. It is young. It is early. It is in a season of receiving.
It is not already occupied…not already supporting a full-grown plant. In the parable, we see that seeds are left to grow after they are planted. They are not immediately ripped out, so they may be discerned as to what type of plant they will become when they are mature. Why is it so important that the enemy sow a seed, at this time?
We know the Lord is planting hope, gifts and His Word for our benefit. But, why would the enemy sow right along side him, at this time? Childhood? It is a unique time for humans…childhood.
It is a time when we are the most vulnerable. It is a time of growth …of learning …of impressionability. It is a time when we are dependent upon elders for our very survival.
We want and need adults for love, belonging and attachment. But we NEED them to live.
If trauma comes early in our lives from those protecting us…those able to and responsible for our emotional and physical health & even our existence…we can learn to mix trust and terror. The fear which can be embedded alongside it can be profound.
In our small brains, on some level, we understand this one is responsible…is needed for us to grow – to be protected – to be sheltered – to be fed – to survive. If the enemy can get us to need, desire and cling deeply to this person who brings us trauma, who brings us fear & terror, we can become accustomed to not truly trusting ANYONE Who promises us love…and this can include our Savior.
In loving Him, in knowing Him, in trusting Him, in looking to “abide” in Him, we can be fighting a kind of “template” set within us deeply and long ago. You see, seeds carry DNA. DNA is a template of what will grow.
When the enemy brought his seed, it had a template within it. DNA is a template passed from a father….to replicate his way. When the seed and its DNA template come from one who is fundamentally of division, it can bring a powerful message to the soil of our young hearts. And divide.
A template of trusting and fearing.
A template of loving and recoiling from.
A template of behaving as though trust is complete…but knowing deeply it is not.
A template of not truly abiding.
When Jesus was speaking in John, Chapter 8, He said: “If you abide in My word [continually obeying My teachings and living in accordance with them, then] you are truly My disciples. And you will know the truth [regarding salvation], and the truth will set you free…” —John 8:31b-32 AMP
Abiding is important. Abiding is about continuity. Abiding is about consistency. Abiding is about trust. Abiding is not about fear, nor division. Yet, when we have this “template” within us from trauma…when the DNA of another seed went in deep & early…we can struggle to be consistent in truth and trust within.
We can struggle to “know” continuity of relationship, of trust, of hope, of truth or of rest within any relationship. It can include not truly trusting the One Who came to save us. The One Whom we desire to trust the most. The One Whom we can trust, entirely. The One whom we know we can. And, in struggling to trust, to abide, to believe consistently, we fall short of gaining the freedom He truly came to bring us. And the goal of the enemy’s seed is complete….for now.
If this feels like you, Sister…if you know you withdraw from Him in ways and you have not found the root, as to why…it can be known. If you struggle to “abide” consistently in Him, yet so desperately desire to abide, so you may “know the truth” and have that truth “set you free,” as Jesus promises in John 8….there is a way home.
We work every day with women who desire the peace within to enable them to “abide.”
Though patterns were set deep long ago, we can help you to bring yourself into alignment with His Word, with His Truth, with how safe He is…so you may abide. And, in abiding, to know His Truth & His Freedom. After all, “if the Son makes you free, then you are unquestionably free.” —John 8:36
Jesus goes on to tell His listeners in John 8 that “My Word has no place [to grow] in you…” [John 8:37b AMP] If His Word is a seed, what would it need to grow? Soil. Soil which has room. Soil cleared of debris, tares & weeds. Soil ready to receive. Soil ready to receive once again..even though.
If you would like to have a Sister come alongside you to help you root out these weeds, sign up on our homepage to receive information on how we can assist you to be well, whole & free indeed.
Thank you for sharing this I appreciate it
You are so very welcome, Kendra 🤍