Confusion is often the fruit of manipulation.

It shows up when someone is saying one thing… and doing another.

When their words don’t match their actions.

When you’re being told you’re the problem… while you’re the one trying to make sense of everything.

This is what gaslighting does.

It slowly disconnects you from your reality.

You start second-guessing yourself.

You start over-explaining yourself.

You start apologizing for things you didn’t even do.

And over time… you lose clarity.

But here’s the truth:

God does not speak in chaos.

God’s voice brings peace—even when it corrects you.

God’s Spirit brings clarity—even when it’s uncomfortable.

Love bombing feels AMAZING at first. That's the trap. Your brain gets flooded with dopamine and you think you've found 'the one.'

But it's calculated manipulation designed to bypass your logical thinking. Here are the 8 red flags I wish I'd known.

A Breakdown of 9 Red Flags to watch for when getting to know someone.

The Connection to our childhood trauma and the importance to slow down when getting to know someone.

“Complex PTSD happens when someone has experienced repeated emotional or psychological trauma over a long period of time.

This can come from childhood abuse, narcissistic relationships, chronic gaslighting, or environments where you constantly felt unsafe.

What many people don’t realize is that trauma changes the nervous system.

Your brain becomes wired to scan for danger.

So when something feels even remotely similar to past abuse, your body reacts immediately.

Not with calm.

But with survival.