“Am I crazy?! I’ve been out of the life for more than five years, but the panic I feel at times seems like it's just yesterday. I’m afraid of what people will think if they know I’m still struggling like this. It’s so embarrassing, and sometimes I feel like I must not have enough faith or something.”
A leader among the trafficking survivors shared all this, almost in a whisper. This courageous young woman is doing holy, hard things everyday and yet, the panic and PTSD can return without warning. Together we walk through how God made the brain, pull out a tension-box sheet, and begin the process of pulling it apart. We look at how her amygdala (the part of the brain responsible for emotions, survival instincts and memory) is trying to keep her safe and move to an acceptance/trust picture of what it looks like to access God’s wisdom for this situation. We remember together where she has been and where we are today and count gifts, tracking the gratitude and renewing the mind. She leaves with the burden off her shoulders, reminded again of His everlasting arms that are holding her in those moments of panic and promising her that she won’t stay there. Healing has happened, is happening, and will continue to happen.
When I see her sharing with other women who are just beginning their journey out, I’m in awe of the path she’s walked and how she continues to invite Jesus to use her story to help other women. Her ability to relate is instant and the hunger to hear that they can have a life after “the game” palatable, and we know that it comes at a great cost. When an outreach team from local churches meets Nina* on the street, she shares that she wants out, but it doesn’t seem possible. We let her know that there are women ready to meet with her who used to be where she is and her eyes instantly light up. “I want to talk to them!” she says. Phone numbers are exchanged and the prayer that this will happen begins.
We are grateful for the ways God is allowing us to equip the church to be in these sacred, messy places. We’ve been invited to train in a variety of formats: youth leaders, social workers, teachers, human trafficking organizations, Bible studies, medical professionals, pastors, homeschool families, and more. Thank you for your support and prayers that carry us as we do this work. We are grateful!
*Name changed for privacy.