Spirituality can be one of the most difficult areas to resolve for trauma survivors. If nothing else, there are usually tons of questions around the mind-boggling questions of how such violent atrocities could happen in the first place. Then to the other extreme, for example, people who have been ritually abused have specifically and purposefully had their spiritual lives taunted, shattered, and manipulated by truly destructive powers.

Even as controversial as spirituality can be, it is a fundamentally important part of the healing process. Sometimes faith is all that is left. Sometimes it feels like there is nothing to have faith in. Sometimes angels were seen in the midst of trouble. Sometimes the PTSD, the trauma, and triggers get so massively in the way, that is seems impossible to re-establish any healthy spiritual connection with anybody or anything.

There are so many obstacles to finding a healthy spiritual connection, but if you keep working for this life-giving peace, reassurance, and hope, it is there for you. It is intertwined in your healing. Even the smallest of children can find that spiritual connection that gives them hope and inner peace.

Keep looking until you find some spiritual helpers who are truly good and kind people. Be very wary of people who have strong religions, but little kindness. They are not the ones who can help you. Find a gentle-natured, kind soul who is willing to answer lots of questions to help you through the dark times. Even if church attendance is not feasible, you can gain enormous spiritual assistance with the help of a kind soul.

Trauma survivors will not spiritually heal overnight. Be sure that your spiritual helpers understand that the journey will be long and slow. Expect lots of little miracles along the way, but don’t be too discouraged if those instantaneous BIG miracles don’t happen like you want them to.

Talk about all the controversies you may feel inside. It is guaranteed that this will be an area where the internal system will not agree. The trauma, vicious training, and spiritual abuse have made sure of that. There will be no quick fixes in this area. Sorting out the crud will take a long time, but keep at it. Your spiritual healing journey will be well worth it.

Some typical issues in this area are:

Why did God let this happen to me?
Does God hate me?
How could God ever love me after all that has happened?
Is there such thing as a good God?
Am I bad (for participating in the abuse or in the ritual)?
Am I going to be eternally punished?
How do I forgive myself for what I was forced to do?
Why am I alive?
Why shouldn’t I just die?
What happens if I have done some really horrible things?
How do I get away from the power of evil?
What about the things “they” told me about God?
How can I tell what the truth is?
Why do I have so much trouble during church services?
Does my life have any meaning or purpose?

If you would like to process any of these areas, please consider a clinical consultation.