Trauma in Relationship - Healing by Religion: Restoring Dignity an Meaning after Traumatic Experiences

Trauma in relationship, often experienced as micro-trauma, may affect spirituality as spirituality is lived as and in a relationship to God. If a relationship is traumatizing it effects all dimensions of the human being and dispossesses him/her of his/her dignity. In trauma, identity is breaking and the offender denies the existence of his victim. Against this inner breakdown, the basic acceptance can provide healing forces. In pastoral care God’s promise “it is good that you exist” can be experienced concretely. In a traumatic relationship, individuality is destroyed. Against the malignant verdict of the offender, pastoral care can provide the experience of the “it is good how you are”. The loss of relationships by infidelity can heal in a faithful relationship, which provides the covenant that the first two promises will be true forever. This triple promise confirms a person’s dignity; it is a promise, which is finally and in an unbroken fidelity given by God himself.