Wholeness Awaits You! 10 Signs It Is Time To Heal And Move Forward!

Wholeness Awaits You: 10 Signs It’s Time to Heal and Move Forward

Introduction:

Unresolved trauma profoundly shapes how individuals interact with others and navigate the world, often manifesting in behaviors, emotional responses, and even physical health. Many relationships, whether romantic, familial, or platonic, suffer, deteriorate, or become deeply dysfunctional because one or both individuals are struggling with unhealed wounds from childhood or adulthood.

We owe it to ourselves to acknowledge our pain, pursue healing, and embrace the journey toward recovery and thriving. Too many of us live in survival mode, desperately evading the haunting shadows of our past rather than confronting them head-on. Instead of processing our pain and embracing the transformative power of healing, wholeness, and growth, we carry unresolved burdens into every sphere of our lives.

Consequently, we show up as fractured versions of ourselves in relationships, both personal and professional, ultimately doing a disservice to ourselves and those we are called to love and serve. When we remain in a state of unhealed trauma, we force others to live under the weight of our triggers, fears, and insecurities, subjecting them to the remnants of our pain rather than the fullness of our healed and whole selves.

10 Common Signs You Are Operating From a Place Of Unhealed Wounds!

Below are ten common signs that indicate you may be operating from a place of unresolved hurt, pain, or trauma. As you read through these signs, I encourage you to reflect, pray, and embark on your faith-based healing journey; a journey toward liberation, restoration, and thriving.

1. Overreaction to Small Triggers

A person may have an intense emotional response to minor situations because their nervous system is still reacting to past wounds. This is often referred to as emotional flashbacks, a concept explored in Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving by Pete Walker.

2. Difficulty Trusting Others

Trauma often leads to hypervigilance, making it hard to trust people or form secure relationships. Bessel van der Kolk, in The Body Keeps the Score, explains how traumatic experiences can rewire the brain, causing it to perceive danger even when none exists.

3. Self-Sabotage

People who have experienced trauma may unconsciously undermine their own success or happiness. Dr. Nicole LePera, in How to Do the Work, highlights how deep-seated beliefs of unworthiness can lead to self-destructive behaviors.

4. Negative Self-Talk and Low Self-Worth

Inner dialogue is often shaped by past experiences. Gabor Maté, in When the Body Says No, discusses how emotional pain, particularly from childhood, can lead to chronic self-criticism and feelings of inadequacy.

5. Emotional Numbness or Disconnection

Some people shut down emotionally as a coping mechanism, feeling detached from their emotions and the world around them. The American Psychological Association (APA) notes that dissociation and emotional suppression are common responses to trauma.

6. People-Pleasing or Overcompensating

Many trauma survivors become chronic people-pleasers, fearing rejection or abandonment. This behavior is tied to a survival response, as explained in Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving by Pete Walker.

7. Constant Need for Control

Trying to control every aspect of life can be a response to past chaos or unpredictability. The Body Keeps the Score describes how trauma survivors often develop rigid control behaviors to create a sense of safety.

8. Addictive or Numbing Behaviors

Turning to substances, work, social media, or compulsive habits can be a way to avoid dealing with deep emotional pain. Gabor Maté, in In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts, explores the link between trauma and addiction.

9. Repetitive Unhealthy Relationship Patterns

People may unconsciously recreate toxic dynamics due to unresolved trauma. Dr. Nicole LePera explains in How to Do the Work that childhood wounds often lead to repeating familiar but harmful relationship patterns.

10. Unexplained Physical Symptoms

Chronic pain, headaches, digestive issues, and tension can be linked to emotional distress. Research from the APA and When the Body Says No by Gabor Maté highlights the connection between unprocessed trauma and physical illness.

Healing and Moving Forward

Recognizing these signs is the first step toward healing. Therapy, self-reflection, and intentional self-care can help break these patterns and foster emotional well-being. If you relate to any of these signs, consider seeking support from a trauma-informed professional or exploring healing practices such as prayer, meditation, mindfulness, journaling, or community support.

God’s Plan for Your Healing

The Bible tells us; "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." — John 8:36

Yes, Jesus died for our sins, and when we accept His salvation, we step into a life of redemption, grace, and peace. However, salvation is not merely about securing eternity; it is also about living in freedom and wholeness.

When a prisoner has served their sentence, they are released and given a chance to rebuild, learn from past mistakes, and create a better life. In the same way, when we receive the gift of salvation, we are released from the chains of our past. Yet, many of us continue to live in mental bondage, weighed down by unhealed trauma, despite being spiritually free.

Healing is a Choice

We cannot experience true wholeness if we live in denial or ignorance. In What Happened to You, Dr. Bruce Perry argues that instead of asking "Why do people behave this way?", we should ask, "What happened to them?". Our behaviors and reactions are deeply rooted in past experiences until we confront them.

My Journey with Jesus and Restoration.

As someone who has experienced profound abuse, deep-seated trauma, and relentless pain; both in childhood and adulthood. I once struggled with crippling self-doubt, a fractured sense of worth, and a profound mistrust in others. My life lacked direction, and I carried wounds that felt insurmountable. However, I can testify without a shadow of doubt that accepting and embracing Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior has been the most transformative decision of my life.

Through studying, meditating on, and growing in His Word, I have encountered a love so profound that it has reshaped my identity. Before Jesus, I was lost, broken, and utterly hopeless. I did not understand my worth, nor did I recognize my intrinsic value. To the outside world, I appeared strong and resilient, but, I had merely learned how to function while wounded. I was locked in survival mode, until I realized there was a better way to live. Yet, my healing journey did not end with salvation, it was merely the beginning. This work is not a one-time event but a lifelong process, a sacred pilgrimage I choose to embark upon daily. I cultivate this journey by immersing myself in prayer, meditating on His Word, engaging in self-reflection, and journaling my thoughts and revelations.

I encourage you to embrace your own healing journey, one of faith, self-discovery, and profound transformation, by accepting and fully embracing the unparalleled gift of salvation and the liberation that comes from inviting Jesus into your heart. Walking with Him has infused my life with indescribable peace, unshakable joy, unwavering confidence, and a deep sense of security. His love has restored my self-worth, redefined my identity, and given me a renewed sense of purpose and hope. The moment I surrendered to Him, my past lost its grip on my future.

However, I came to a pivotal realization: salvation cleansed me of my sin, but true healing and wholeness required intentional effort and inner work. Years of shame, fear, self-doubt, and feelings of inadequacy, many of which were rooted in childhood wounds and unhealthy relationships, had left scars upon my soul. But Jesus did not redeem me so that I could remain broken; He rescued me so that I could walk in freedom, restoration, and divine authority.

Thus, equipped with an unshakable relationship with my Savior, I began to utilize the additional tools He placed at my disposal. I embraced self-reflection, self-care, radical acknowledgment of my pain, daily prayer, intentional reading of His word and other helpful books, therapeutic journaling, and deep introspection. Each of these practices became instrumental in my journey toward healing, allowing me to shed the remnants of my past and step into the fullness of God’s purpose for my life.

Healing is not passive; it is an active pursuit. But through Christ, true restoration is possible.

8 Practical Steps to Healing

1.   Deepen your faith – Seek God’s presence through daily prayer, daily scripture reading, daily personal worship time, and frequent worship in a healthy community of believers surrounded by family and friends.

2.   Commit to self-awareness – Acknowledge the pain, but don’t let it define you.

3.   Seek professional help – Therapy and counseling can be powerful tools.

4.   Surround yourself with the right people – Distance yourself from toxic relationships and environments.

5.   Prioritize self-care – Take care of your mind, body, and spirit.

6.   Choose healing daily – Forgive, release, and trust in God’s perfect plan.

7.   Do the work daily-It is a lifelong journey,

8.   Commit- To the process of becoming the best version of yourself daily

Final Encouragement

God’s desire is for you to heal, recover, and thrive. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Your past does not define you. Your pain does not have to control you. Healing is possible, and with Jesus as your foundation, you can step into a life of freedom, abundance, and purpose.

Today, Choose Jesus. Choose you. Choose healing. Choose wholeness. Choose thriving!

Summary:

This blog is a heartfelt reflection on the transformative power of faith, healing, and personal growth. The author shares her journey of overcoming childhood trauma, low self-worth, and unhealthy relationships through a deep relationship with Jesus Christ. While salvation provided spiritual renewal, true healing required intentional work, self-reflection, self-care, professional counseling, and the application of biblical and psychological principles.

With over thirty-five years of faith and advanced degrees in Nursing and Psychology, the author continues to explore ways to help others navigate their own healing journeys. However, she emphasizes the importance of seeking licensed Christian psychologists or professional counselors for deeper emotional and psychological support. This blog serves as a source of encouragement, reminding readers that they are not alone and that true freedom, wholeness, and divine authority are possible through faith and intentional growth.

Thanks for reading, please share this with the people you love, or think could benefit from the blog post. 

God Bless You 

XOXO

_Waydia

 

Disclaimer:

I am neither a licensed professional counselor nor a clinical psychologist. However, I have been a devoted Christian for the past thirty-five years, steadfast in my faith and deeply committed to both personal growth and spiritual transformation.

Raised by a resilient single mother in the absence of my father, I navigated the complexities of childhood while enduring various forms of abuse, wounds that left deep emotional and psychological imprints. My journey into adulthood was further marked by exposure to unhealthy relationships and toxic environments, reinforcing cycles of pain, insecurity, and self-doubt.

Despite these adversities, I pursued academic excellence, earning advanced degrees in both Nursing and Psychology. Yet, beyond formal education, my passion for healing, both for myself and others, has fueled an insatiable thirst for knowledge. I am continuously engaged in rigorous research, in-depth study, and personal reflection, integrating both biblical wisdom and psychological principles that foster emotional resilience, spiritual renewal, and holistic well-being.

My mission is not merely to exist but to thrive as the highest, God-ordained version of myself while empowering others to do the same. However, while I share insights from my faith journey and academic background, my guidance should never be considered a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling with emotional wounds, trauma, or psychological distress, I strongly encourage you to seek the expertise of a licensed Christian psychologist or a professional counselor who can provide the necessary therapeutic intervention tailored to your needs.

Your healing matters, and you do not have to walk this path alone. May you find strength, wisdom, and restoration on your journey.