The Enemy You Haven't Named Yet

Recently I listened to a podcast that spoke of the common denominator that makes influencers successful at attracting large crowds of followers. 

Ready for the answer? It's focusing on their enemy. They focus on what they are against instead of what they are for.

Wealth influencer - the enemy is debt.

Diet influencer - the enemy is restricted food.

Homesteading influencer - the enemy is industrialization.

Political influencer: the enemy is the opposing party.

Of course, you could go much deeper with this, but you get the idea. So naturally I began wondering, “What is the enemy that women with fatigue, anxiety, and overwhelm are dealing with?”

I believe it is chronic, unresolved stress. The kind that never gets metabolized, never gets tested for, never experiences any root cause intervention. The body never receives a signal that it is safe to stand down.

Think of it like a fire alarm. If the alarm is constantly beeping, do you take the batteries out or look for the source of smoke? The fire alarm is simply doing its job - warning you that there is a threat to your safety.

Past trauma and chronic stress are stealth enemies that your nervous system constantly fights.

Now, before you throw up your hands in exasperation or discouragement and tell me that stress is unavoidable, I want to say something that might surprise you.

Not all stress is bad!

Some stress can strengthen your body. It can even build resilience. Think of it like an exercise workout. You have to stress muscles before you can build strength.

Stress becomes the enemy when it is trapped in your body. When it has nowhere to go. When you don't feel that you can escape from the onslaught of stressful demands, unpredictable circumstances, or insufficient support.

The same is true about trauma. Research shows that two people can go through the same traumatic event. The degree of recovery and resilience depends on whether they feel trapped and unable to escape from the situation or have the necessary support and resources to resolve the traumatic experience.

Trapped stress or trauma keeps your body stuck in fight, flight, or freeze. Back to our fire alarm analogy. The alarm was the warning, but what happens when you can't find the fire? You are trapped in the burning house without a way out. You are frantically looking for a door or window, and you can't find one.

Often what makes this villain even worse is that it is unnamed. We don't recognize it for what it is. We feel frustrated with our anxiety and fatigue and ashamed of our overwhelm. We don't like the PMS and menopausal symptoms and feel embarrassed over the digestive issues. Deep down, we question if we aren't trying hard enough or if our faith is weak or maybe we aren't praying as we should. Maybe this is just the way life is.

This internal battle fuels the enemy and leaves us feeling even more trapped in chronic stress. It reinforces the message that we're victims of our circumstances, with no way out.

But what if there is a way to fight the enemy? What if there is a way to overcome stress and trauma?

I think it is possible, and it starts with reassurance.

Reassurance that you aren't alone. That you aren't stuck.

Weakness is not keeping you trapped in the burning building. Lack of knowledge, resources, and support are.

You need the right testing to know how to support your body. You need resources to help your nervous system release what is trapped. You need community that understands and guidance for the process.

That is why I created my Wholeness Restored Program. To meet these needs so you can heal.

Come fight the enemy with me. Together we can address the trapped stress or trauma and how it is affecting you because together we are far more successful than alone!

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT