The Inheritance of Abnormality Part 1
Overcoming The Past For A Better Future
Podcast | Video | Artifact
Dear Intelligent Reader,
Trauma is not a word that most people use or talk about daily. However, trauma is something that all of us experience throughout our lives. It is an enemy that I have to frequently combat due to the nature of my work. To be honest, I do not fully comprehend the full extent of what trauma is or how it has affected the human race throughout history. But what I ultimately realize about this word, “trauma,” is that it is connected to nearly every sinful act known to mankind.
Trauma has wreaked havoc throughout human history. It distorts a person’s perception. It feeds off fear and ignorance. It keeps us prisoners in our own twisted thinking. Trauma tells us that we are victims and that everyone is against us. It holds people hostage in their past, forcing them to relive painful experiences and emotions that never seem to go away.
Trauma doesn’t just hurt you — it forces you to see yourself and the world in the wrong way.
I once had a client who was battling addiction, emotional dysregulation, homelessness, and unemployment, to say the least. She had several children, was a grandmother, and yet had little support from her family because she struggled to say no to crack, cocaine, and fentanyl. During one of our conversations, I asked her about her past. She confided in me and shared that she grew up in a household where drug use, domestic violence, infidelity, and poverty were normalized. Nearly all of her childhood interactions involved alcohol, marijuana, or some other substance. In her mind, this was “normal.”
I tried my best to explain to her that living in those circumstances is not normal — it is abnormal. At first, she seemed puzzled, as if she did not understand. The more I explained why these things are not normal, the more confused she became.
After that conversation, I reflected on what we discussed and came to understand something important: part of this was not entirely her fault. She had lived this way for so long that it became her version of normal. Because of that, she could not even fathom the idea that her lifestyle was unnatural. She had never been shown what normal actually looks like. As a result, she struggled to accept that the root of many of her life challenges stemmed from past trauma and the way it shaped her thinking — how she viewed herself, other people, and the world around her.
And here is the unsettling truth: all of us have been fooled into believing that the world we live in — human civilization, specifically — is normal, when it is not. What I mean is that the current state of our world (human society, systems, nations, governments, institutions) does not operate the way it was meant to when it was first designed by God. In one way or another, we have all been affected by trauma.
So the question I pose to you is this:
How does one overcome the power and the effects of trauma?
This question is twofold. The first part focuses on overcoming the power of trauma, and the second deals with addressing its effects or aftermath. The solution is simple, but not easy. First, you must understand the enemy you are fighting — what trauma is, what it is not, and how it has affected you personally. Second, you must talk about it. Third, you must change the way you think about yourself, other people, and the world as a whole.
This is important because, in order to deal with your past and the distortions in how you view life, you must learn to acknowledge your trauma, accept it for what it is, and move forward in truth. The ultimate goal is freedom from trauma, and truth is your most powerful weapon.
Let us begin by identifying what trauma is and why it exists.
Step 1: What Is Trauma?
In my work as a drug and alcohol counselor, I work with men and women who suffer from what we call substance use disorder (SUD). Through my experience, I have discovered that drugs and alcohol are not the root problems. Make no mistake — substance abuse is a serious issue — but it is not the determining factor behind an individual’s true struggle. These substances often serve as contributors to deeper, underlying issues.
The real problem is usually hidden beneath the surface. It is elusive and often difficult to identify without intentional reflection or guidance. More often than not, it is connected to trauma.
Through both professional and personal study, I have come to understand trauma as follows:
Trauma is a deeply disturbing or distressing experience — or series of experiences — that affects someone mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually in a negative way.
It alters a person’s perception of reality through fear and ignorance. Trauma can affect anyone at any time. No one is immune.
Trauma is also subjective. Even when two people experience the same event, it can affect them very differently. For example, if two individuals are involved in the same car accident, one may recover without lasting distress, while the other may develop a long-term fear of driving.
Trauma often occurs when an abnormal experience reshapes how you perceive reality in a negative way. Over time, repeated exposure to abnormal experiences can cause us to believe that what is abnormal is actually normal — and that what is truly normal is abnormal.
For example, divorce is often treated as normal because it is common. However, according to the traditional understanding of marriage vows:
“I take thee… for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health… till death do us part.”
Marriage is intended to be a lifelong covenant. Yet today, we celebrate longevity in marriage as though it is the exception rather than the rule.
Similarly, sobriety is normal. Consuming substances for the sole purpose of becoming intoxicated is not. It is a form of self-harm that has been widely accepted and normalized in society.
Scripture states that people will call what is good bad, and what is bad good (Isaiah 5:20).
Many harmful experiences have been accepted as normal when, in reality, they are not.
What we call “normal” is often just dysfunctional repetition.
Normal is healthy. It aligns with truth. It is natural and in harmony with the order of creation. It reflects what the Creator originally intended a thing to be and to do.
It is not normal to experience physical, emotional, mental, or sexual abuse. It is not normal to be addicted or “enslaved” by substances, gambling, shopping or any other activity. It is not normal to experience violence from those who claim to love you. It is not normal for children to engage in adult behaviors prematurely. It is not normal to grow up in environments dominated by addiction and instability.
Yet these realities are often normalized in society.
Do you see the pattern?
When we normalize trauma, we minimize its destructive impact. We begin making decisions that are not grounded in truth or reality. We focus on treating symptoms rather than addressing root causes. Life becomes unmanageable, and we move from one temporary solution to another without ever experiencing true, lasting change.
Is it becoming clearer?
Trauma is so deeply rooted that even the earliest humans could not overcome it without divine intervention. It is an internal enemy — one that resides in our minds, beliefs, and perceptions. It shapes our thoughts and behaviors, often without us realizing it.
Trauma convinces us that the problem is external. It leads us to seek solutions in things like food, alcohol, sex, drugs, pornography, or money. While these may provide temporary comfort, they do not address the root issue.
The reality is this: when left unaddressed, trauma often leads to destruction — and in many cases, premature death.
So, my dear intelligent reader, let us pause here. Reflect on these ideas, and we will continue this discussion in Part 2. In it we will discuss the different categories of trauma and the most effective way to combat it long-term. Till next time.
That is it for now my most intelligent reader. Thank you for your attention. Until we speak again.
In all Love,
The Modern Strategos
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