Soulfood

Julie Lowe and Darby Strickland – The Experience of Trauma

Scripture is not silent about trauma. Lamentations helps give voice to the many afflictions that accompany traumatic experiences. Jeremiah helps provide context for the trauma to which Lamentations is a response.

In Hebrew, the title for the book of Lamentations is “How?” How could this happen?

Jer 15:18 “Why is my pain unceasing, and my wound unceasing, refusing to be healed?”

Trauma leaves the traumatized person confused and angry. How can we walk alongside them in gentleness and wisdom? Some helps:

Speak words of life. Remind the traumatized person – gently and compassionately – who he is in Christ Jesus. Assure her that she is not alone.

Remind her that the Lord will punish all those who wickedly oppress, and encourage him to wait on YHWH in hopeful expectation of vindication.

Expect an answer, and hope! The very middle of Lamentations is the famous verse, “Yet this I call to mind, therefore I have hope. The steadfast love (hesed) of YHWH never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning – great is your faithfulness, O YHWH.” It is surrounded by verse after verse of lamentation and despair. But it is the center, and it can hold us in a way that trauma cannot!

We follow a savior who went into the darkest, most horrific place on earth and experienced incredible trauma – and experienced the resurrection which brings life and light to the whole world!

Wait, and hope. Jesus is coming!