Dad suffered from war neurosis due to being a young 17yr old sailor during World War Two. In the Battle of the Coral Sea he saw his mates burnt to jelly from enemy aircraft bombers above, and ships go down where many sailors were eaten by sharks. Today what dad would have been diagnosed of would be called PTSD. The doctors back then also did not know how to successfully treat him, and many others like him.
As an adult I went to Rwanda in 1994 as a third world aid worker with World Vision straight after the genocide. Personally witnessing in a church 3,000-4,000 rotting bodies layered on top of each other with the stench of death in my nostrils. The image, however, that shocked me most was a purple robed, half decayed priest with a rosary bead around his neck. My faith was rocked to the core “ How could God allow a man of God die this way?”
Years later, after seeing a Christian psychologist, I was diagnosed as having PTSD. The amazing thing that occurred was that during a session I had a revelation that this priest I had seen horrifically murdered, did not die in vain. Because of that man’s death I have a strong desire to see peace and reconciliation in action.
With great conviction I felt drawn to central Australia, originally reaching out to troubled young Indigenous petrol sniffers. Later I then worked for a women’s service, helping women and children through domestic violence. A total of nearly 20yrs all up in Central Australia. “ How could someone diagnosed with PTSD be able to do this type of work?”
It is only because of the grace of God I have been able to rise up above my very traumatic experiences turning them into positive impacting assistance in other people’s lives.
You too can raise up above your painful past asking God to help you through. If I can do it I know you can. God is with you.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
Please feel free to look at my webpage for more information. www.vivienwilson.com
Feeling free again