PTSD     
Stress, Anxiety and PTSD: Learning to Live in the Now

                                                          Angela Brittain recently presented a                                                                            stress/anxiety briefing for the 82nd Chemical                                                                   Battalion and 3rd Chemical Brigade at Ft. Leonard                                                           Wood, MO. The briefing titled “Winning the War in                                                           Your Soul,” encouraged our soldiers to remain                                                                 constant no matter what the circumstances are                                                               around them. She emphasized the importance of                                                             staying in the “now” through faith, versus moving                                                              into fear.
                                                          “You get into fear when you start thinking about                                                           the uncertainty of the future,” Brittain says. “Likewise, you get into fear when you start dwelling on the pain or regrets of the past.”
    Focusing on staying in the present can help us keep from being at the mercy of fear. This can be particularly difficult when a person is dealing with past trauma such as experiences from a war zone, living though a natural disaster, or even suffering from sexual assault or abuse.  
    “These types of events puncture or                                                                            perforate our souls and create an opening                                                                       that makes us vulnerable to fear, anger,                                                                          depression, hopelessness, and other                                                               emotions,” Brittain says. “But through                                                                            Jesus Christ, who is the Restorer of our                                                                 souls, we can be put back together in                                                                      such a way that we don’t consistently                                                                            relive those traumatic experiences. We                                                                     can see those situations for what they                                                                      were, learn the truth about them, and                                                                             heal our memories so that we are free to live to our potential in the present. Because if our past is affecting our present, then it isn’t our past!”
    Dr. Bridget Cantrell and Army Chaplain Chuck Dean have stated that PTSD isn’t a disease or an illness. Instead, it is a normal response to abnormal circumstances. Brittain agrees with them wholeheartedly. The human body wasn’t designed to endure such horrors as war and abuse. But because of the world we live in, we experience these atrocities and our soul (mind, will, emotions) just kind of goes into overload. We begin having intrusive thoughts, nightmares, panic attacks, flashbacks, etc., that take us right back to that moment to relive it again and again. So what is the answer?
   One of the ways to defuse the memories is to expose them. I’ve heard it said that you are only as sick as the secrets you keep but revealing is healing! When you bring the event into the light, darkness loses its power!! The enemy would have you keep the memory under lock and key in the fortress of your mind. But Paul tells us that light and darkness can’t coexist. Darkness loses its power when you turn on the light! Exposing it   and releasing it allows Jesus to restore your soul!
    The word restoration in itself means to be put back together to its original state. We can infer that this means “before the trauma.” And if it’s before the trauma, then those memories aren’t going to continue to wreak havoc on your soul. You may still remember that place, but it won’t be so painful. I think of it much like a scar reminds you of a past wound or surgery. You see the reminder…but it doesn’t hurt anymore.
    We encourage you to order the teaching, “Winning the War in Your Soul” so you can gain some valuable insight into how to dominate your mind, will and emotions instead of becoming a victim to your thoughts and imaginations. Another teaching titled, “Don’t Let Anxiety Steal Your Joy” informs us of the weapons God has given us to protect our joy from the anxiety and fear the enemy would try to bring on us. Just visit the On-Line Store or print and mail the order form to get your copy.
While at Ft. Leonard Wood, author Angela Brittain received a Certificate of Honor and a Coin of Excellence from Battalion Commander LTC Bret Van Camp. She also received the Brigade Medal of Honor from Brigade Commander Col. Leslie Smith.
The Trauma of Childhood Sexual Abuse
I can't even begin to tell you the number of people who have approached me via e-mail or at one of my ministry events who have experienced the trauma of childhood sexual abuse. Many times, they will relate to me that this was the origin of their troubles with fear, anxiety and panic.
My heart goes out to those individuals who have suffered in this way. I can't imagine what it must have been like to carry this burden in their hearts for so long, or even worse, to have finally gotten the courage to speak out to a trusted adult or friend, only to find that the person doesn't believe you. One lady told me that her mother slapped her when she finally tried to tell her what was going on.
Although I haven't experienced this myself, I do want to say that there is hope for you! And there is healing for you in Jesus Christ! This trauma created a perforation in your soul and set up a false belief system...but through Christ and good counseling, you can learn to know the difference between the truth and the lie and get free from the shame, humiliation and perhaps even depression, panic, fear, and thoughts of suicide.
My next book, Your Miracle is Behind You, is about healing past hurts and trauma. Until its release, I want to take you to an awesome website and recommend a book by a very courageous woman named Nicole Braddock Bromley. She is a Christian author, also from Ohio (Go Buckeyes!) and is bringing hope and healing to many through her book called, Hush. Her website, www.onevoiceenterprises.com will tell you more about her and give you some valuable resources to help in your recovery from this tragedy that you have endured. God bless you and may He continue to direct you in the process of restoring your soul.
Nicole Braddock Bromley     and her book, Hush. Find    hope and healing through    her testimony at www.onevoiceenterprises.com.
Honoring and Remembering...
As the Army Survivor Outreach Services Coordinator for Ohio (Contractor), I have the privilege of meeting some of our Nation's true heroes -- the Families of the Fallen. One special Gold Star Family has been friends of mine for more than 30 years...the family of PVT Heath Warner. Heath passed away in Iraq in 2006, and his parents, Scott and Melissa, and brothers, Chandler and Ashton, have formed the S.N. Warner Family Association to forever honor Heath's life, service and sacrifice.
PVT. Heath Warner
Please visit the Warner family's website, www.pvtheathwarner.com. They participate in a variety of Gold Star events and memorials throughout the year, including a race that takes place on Memorial Day.
   Get Out of the Zone
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  Those ordering the Overcomer's Package in January will receive the bonus CD "Come Out of Your Comfort Zone."  This message uncovers how fear tries to keep us in our comfort zone, and encourages us to step out in faith and obedience to God. The best-selling CD"Don't Let Anxiety Steal Your Joy!"  will also be included, as well as FREE SHIPPING!
   Order the Overcomer's Package in our On-Line Store. (We accept all credit cards via PayPal).
   You can also read our past newsletters on the Articles and FAQ page and be encouraged with topics from codependency and anxiety, to medication, and fear due to abuse. Also, visit the FREE Audio page to hear our audios and see our video ~ check it out on YouTube!