WHY YOU FEEL STUCK

TRANSCRIPT

Welcome Back  to my podcast Emotional Healing For Christian Women, men are also welcome.

I’m your host, Marvel C. Adeyemi, This new series is inspired by my upcoming book and is designed to help you understand trauma, particularly childhood trauma, and most importantly, how to heal from it.

Before we dive in, I want to remind you that my upcoming book, Beyond The Hurt, is almost here, and I can’t wait to share it with you!

This book is a powerful guide on healing from childhood  trauma and stepping into flourishing. Also, make sure to download my free reflective journal from my website to help you capture and process your spiritual journey.

Today, we’re going to start with understanding how trauma impacts the mind and body. But before we dive in, I want to share a beautiful quote by Rumi that captures the essence of what this journey is all about: “The wound is the place where the Light enters you.”

This is an invitation to everyone listening—to acknowledge your pain, to embrace it with compassion, and to see it as the starting point of healing and growth.

What is Trauma and Why It Matters
Trauma can be a confusing and daunting word. For many of us, it’s something we associate with severe events like accidents or war. But trauma, especially the kind rooted in childhood and family dynamics, is much broader and more complex. It’s often called Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or C-PTSD. Unlike the sudden shock of a traumatic event, C-PTSD stems from prolonged, repeated exposure to abusive, neglectful, or unstable environments—especially during our formative years.

Recognising and processing trauma is like learning a new language—one that helps us decode the messages our bodies and minds have been trying to communicate for years. It’s about developing the awareness to unravel how your past has shaped your emotional world, your relationships, your beliefs, and your sense of self.

Now, let’s think about it this way: Imagine two children growing up in the same household where emotional neglect is the norm. One child internalises the pain by becoming withdrawn and anxious, afraid to be seen. The other lashes out, acting as if they are in control when deep down, they feel anything but.

The same environment, but two vastly different responses. And this is where it gets interesting: Both reactions are natural. They are survival strategies the children develop to protect themselves from pain.

Trauma doesn’t always wear a label. Sometimes, it’s hidden beneath layers of behaviour, coping mechanisms, and beliefs. Let’s take a moment to unpack some of the most common types of trauma.

Physical Abuse:
This kind of trauma leaves wounds beyond the body. It imprints fear, distrust, and deep emotional scars. A child growing up in a household where raised voices signal danger or where physical harm is a daily threat may develop hypervigilance, low self-worth, and even chronic pain.

Emotional Abuse:
Emotional wounds often cut deeper than physical ones. Words that diminish, belittle, or manipulate can shape a person’s inner voice for a lifetime. As Christians, we’re encouraged to speak words of life and encouragement, but when we’re surrounded by constant criticism or manipulation, it’s easy to internalise those harmful words.

Sexual Abuse:
Sexual abuse shatters one’s sense of safety and dignity. Whether it happens in childhood or adulthood, it leaves lasting impacts on self-worth, identity, and the ability to form healthy relationships. For Christians, it can also create spiritual wounds—questions about God’s protection and why such evil was allowed to happen.

Neglect:
Neglect is not just the absence of care—it’s the absence of being truly seen and valued. Emotional neglect, in particular, teaches a child that their feelings and needs don’t matter. This can create adults who are emotionally disconnected or overly dependent on the validation of others.

Witnessing Violence:
You don’t have to be the direct victim to be traumatised. Witnessing violence—whether in the home, the community, or even through media—teaches distorted lessons about power, safety, and control.

As a Christian, I view trauma through a lens of grace. God sees every hurt, every tear, and He longs to bring healing. But that healing begins with acknowledging what we’ve experienced and being willing to confront it.

 Trauma’s Impact on the Body and Mind. Trauma isn’t just a memory. It lives in the body. It shows up as muscle tension, stomach issues, headaches, fatigue, and even autoimmune conditions. That’s because trauma activates our nervous system, putting us in a constant state of fight, flight, freeze, or fawn.

Our brains, particularly the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex, are affected. The amygdala becomes hyper-reactive, causing heightened anxiety. The hippocampus, which helps process memories, can become impaired, leading to fragmented, distorted recollections of the past. And the prefrontal cortex, which governs rational thinking and emotional regulation, struggles to function when we’re stuck in survival mode.

But here’s the good news: Healing is possible. And it begins with awareness. The Bible reminds us to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2) It’s about breaking old patterns and creating new ones rooted in grace, truth, and love.

So, how do we begin to heal?

It starts by recognising how our past is speaking through our present—whether through our bodies, our thoughts, or our relationships. This podcast series will walk you through that journey.

In the next episode, we’ll dive deeper into the many masks of trauma. We’ll explore how it manifests in different aspects of your life and how you can start to reclaim your true self.

Until then, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on your own story. What patterns or behaviours have you carried from your past? And most importantly, are you willing to bring them into the light for healing? Also, make sure to download my free reflective journal from my website to help you capture and process your spiritual  and emotional healing journey.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And if this episode blesses you, share it with  someone who needs encouragement.