Trauma and Hurt in Life

This is part of something I wrote a couple weeks or so ago as I pondered the hurt and suffering of so many I know. These are only some simple thoughts about sorrows and hurts believers (and non-believers) can suffer through life. And I know a lot of people are suffering in the climate of today’s world. So please don’t think I can know exactly what you’ve been through, only Jesus can. A man of sorrows acquainted with grief.

We have all known different types of Trauma. It affects us all differently, (even if we may tend to keep it inside). But I firmly believe He will use all things and work them together for good, even the bad, even the harm the enemy might have meant for us, even our mistakes (Gen 50:20). It does take our cooperation to walk with Him.

If you do not know for sure where you would go if you died today, start here first.

Just living in this sinful, dark world can be traumatic for us. We’ve already watched so much of it for years, but as of late, seems we’ve seen things we’ve never experienced or even imagined before. We may feel helpless to do anything about it, and that can lead to hopelessness. Brethren across the world have suffered tremendous losses, and we’ve been at relative ease in so many ways we don’t even think of. But as we see people lose their businesses, their jobs, their livelihood, their homes, some their lives, it has caused us trauma and loss too. We don’t know how to help so many. But we pray. Know that these prayers matter because of who we pray to.

Trauma or hurt can be caused by a sin in our lives that we might be holding onto (been there, done that, and will sin until I die). Heb 12:1-2. It can also be the trauma of sin that someone else has perpetuated upon us (I can raise my hand to that also, and I am very sure most can here). Some far worse than others, I cannot even fathom. It can be as simple as the daily meanness in the world, that hits us like perpetual waves on a disintegrating shoreline. Or it might be more far more serious. Some we know have taken their lives. Yesterday someone shared 3 from her place of business had suffered from family committing suicide. Today I saw the loss of another’s family member to suicide. The devil lives to kill, steal and destroy God’s Creation, but God in His great love sent His Son Jesus, the one who gave His life for us and wants us to live more abundantly.

The Front Line

In believer’s lives, there is a front-line battle. In it, there is trauma not only from the enemy shooting fiery darts, but sometimes there is the so-called ‘friendly fire’ from those who may be trying to be helpful. But unlike its namesake (friendly fire), some of these ‘friends’ almost seem to desire to hurt you, although some may be accidental. I’ve watched and seen some awfully insensitive or even downright mean comments. Dear friends, I know we can get grumpy, but better to clamp your hand over your mouth (me too). We may not be going through what they’re going through, so tread lightly and speak prayerfully and cautiously.

Feet time

In a war, those who go to the front line (if they survive) are always pulled away to replenish themselves with rest, with food and time with loved ones. I call it ‘feet time‘, which is simply time with Jesus hearing His Word (Luke 10:38-42). Even Jesus drew away from the crowds to rest and spend time talking to His Father. We get busy in the battle we face in this world, and sometimes we forget pieces of our armor. We need the Lord, and we desperately need the encouragement of His Word to strengthen our body, to revive us when our soul is clinging to the dust. To encourage our hearts. To tell us which way to go, to the left, or to the right. (Ps 119:25,28; Is 30:20-21). 

All throughout we are encouraged to not just hear His Word, but to do it, or take heed to it. That second part is harder, but more freeing (Luke 8:21; Ps 119:9; John 8:30-31; James 1:21-25).

Keep your mind stayed on Him (Is 26:3). Remember He has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Tim 1:7).

Betrayal

Maybe you have walked through a Judas betrayal type of trauma, whether a spouse, a friend, or a family member. I have gone through that more than once, and it’s been shocking each time. But I have to take solace in the fact it was not unto death like Jesus. I think many have experienced some betrayal, whether by friends or family, it is awfully painful. Jesus knows your hurt, and He warned us it would be this way while we live in this world.

Loss

Then there is the scarring trauma we can experience in loss. The one that seems to suck the very breath out of us. The loss of a great love and best friend. The loss of a child, a baby, an injury to a full-grown son. The tragic loss of a precious sibling. Or the expected (or not) loss of a parent(s). Things seem so much easier when they are here on this earth. Loss of a beloved grandparent, aunt, uncle, nephew or niece. Or loss of a dear life-long friend. How about even the loss of our beloved pets who have been so loyal and been family to us?

Many times, from all my losses (too early), I felt like I was literally going to die, but this Psalm words well how I’ve felt in all these things that I have experienced. I am sure there are many types of losses or hurts I missed, but He knows, and He cares.

Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  Ps 73:25-26

Unloved?

Have you experienced the kind of hurt or trauma from being unloved, ignored, taken for granted? Maybe you feel like Leah did in the Bible? Do you know the story? Leah was unloved by her husband, he wanted her sister instead and was tricked into marrying her. Even so, God saw she was not loved, and cared (enough to record it in His Word). He blessed her with children, and from Leah came Judah (Gen 29:31-35). And Jesus came from the lineage of Judah. Jesus deeply knows what it is like to not be loved by His own (Is 53:3; John 1:11). I know some of you know this sorrow.

Jesus is a Man of sorrows and is acquainted with much grief in His own walk here (Isaiah 53:1-6). He is such a compassionate and loving God, one who stores all of the tears we shed. One who satiates our weary souls, and replenishes our sorrowful soul (Jer 31:25). What a Savior…

Keep your eyes on Jesus

How about the trauma we might cause such as taking our eyes off of Jesus? I did for several years to a degree. Fear, or even the lack of direction can seem to drown us after a while. Suddenly our eyes are on the storms around us, and our attention is anywhere but placing a slow and steady faith in Him. I think of the disciples on the boat in the storm, running around, asking Jesus if He didn’t care about them (how often I have seen people in sorrow think that too). There they were with Jesus and saw His many great works (as have we), so we are not alone in forgetting. Fear rushes in and grips our throat. Panic, anxiety, lack of faith, you name it, overwhelms like a flood. Could simply be we are just distracted by this world we live in. We need to remember, time to submit again to God, resist the enemy and ask Jesus to calm the storms. Remind yourselves, that He is with us and will never forsake us. Our walk is not finished. It’s a daily thing. Just get back up again if you’ve fallen off the bike. Abide in the Vine and Continue in His Word (Jn 15:4, 8:30-32; Lk 10:38-42) 

O ye of little faith

We are fickle creatures in some ways, as we so quickly forget that Jesus calms those storms. His disciples seemed surprised that even the wind and waves obeyed Him (Matt 8:23-27; Ps 89:8-9; Ps 107:25-31). Can you imagine being them having seen that He healed the sick, blind, lame and lepers, and yet at the first toss of a wave they panicked? Jesus had to keep reprimanding them, ‘O ye of little faith‘ see here). Or when He came back from the dead, and on the Road to Emmaus, He called them ‘foolish ones, slow of heart to believe all the prophets had spoken?’ He appeared to all of them in the room at a table, but they did not believe it was Him nor the women who told them He was alive Or poor Thomas, who has coined the phrase, ‘doubting Thomas‘? Mark 16:14; Luke 24:13-26, 36-45; John 20:26-28. These people were positionally justified and sanctified believers. But it takes time.

Why do we lack faith? (Raising my hand again in sad understanding of doing this over and over and over again throughout my life). I think the answer is found in spending quality time talking to Jesus as you spend time in His Word.

The Evil we see in this world

We live in a world brimming over with all manner of sin and evil. It vexes us, makes us angry or fearful, which causes sorrow, pain and sickness — not only in our bodies, but it can create fear and havoc in our minds, emotions, and lives. We are dying daily, (hopefully to ourselves). I don’t have much advice except try to turn away from looking at these things for a while (turn it off) and pray as we see each troubling thing. Leave it to Him. 

Possibly we may need to lay aside some sin that so easily besets us, and turning our eyes back upon Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Keeping our minds stayed on Him, and our sword sharpened and ever with us (Heb 12:1-2; Is 26:3; Heb 4:12). Praying for our needs and asking others to pray for you too. Take heart knowing who is in charge of all of this.

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
For wisdom and might are His.
And He changes the times and the seasons;
He removes kings and raises up kings;
He gives wisdom to the wise
And knowledge to those who have understanding.
He reveals deep and secret things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
And light dwells with Him.  Daniel 2:21-22

We are frail creatures, God knows our frame and He pities us as a Father does His children. He knows that we are dust (Ps 103:13-14).

And He loves us <3 <3 <3

God is for us

Remember, even in our sin, frailties, weaknesses, failures — or tribulation visited upon us by others, He is for us. If God is for us, who can be against us? He will repay with tribulation those who trouble us — frightening for them, enough for me to pause as much as I may want to zing them, I think on that terrible day coming, and end up praying for them instead, knowing He desires none should perish (2 Thess 1:6-10).

I think we HAVE to remember — we NEED His Word, it is our NECESSARY FOOD. It’s how our minds are renewed. It’s our sword in the battle. (Job 23:12; John 17:17; Rom 12:2; Heb 4:12; Eph 6:10-20)

I Love you all, take heart, we have this treasure in earthen vessels (2 Cor 4). Fight the good fight of faith, and stand in your armor, knowing that your brethren have suffered too in various ways. He will bring us through it.

Want to be sure where you are going when you die? My husband asked some friends that question right before he died.

Read here.

These are not all of Scriptures I above, I tried to link some. I’m sure you all knew or recognized most of them but will share some which I might not have linked (not in order). You can copy and look at any Bible software.

Ps 107:25-31; Ps 89:9; Matt. 8:23-27; Luke 8:23-25; John 10:10-11; Ps 56:8; Heb 12:1-2; Luke 10:38-42, 1 Tim 2:1-6; 2 Thess 1:6-10; Ps 119:25-28; Ps 103:13-14; Is 30:20-21, Matt 4:1-11; Job 23:12; Heb 4:12; Rom 12:2; Eph 6:10-20; Heb 4:12; Ps 107:25-31; 1 John 4:4