Spiritual Lens:
Trauma is invasive. Trauma is not merely an event or series of events that impacts one aspect of the person, but and as this website attempts to demonstrate - the entire person, which is more than we can see with our limited spiritual-self, and we have to look into the lens of our spirit and souls since they are wounded.
Elisha prayed for his servant. That prayer is found in 2 Kings 6:16-17 and I have recorded it here for you to read:
So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
There is a spiritual connectedness between what we can see, and what we can only begin to see through our spiritual lens. If we are limited to our physical sight, we miss the important intersection of faith in the moments of battles with depression, PTSD, and earthly things - but it is only through a proper perspective and spiritual lens where we see more clearly that we are not alone. God Himself not only goes before us, He is already there in those moments and can offer such guidance and refreshing if only we begin to position our lives in a manner of connection to the Almighty.
Eduardo Duran submits that there is a holistic and harmonious mind-body-spirit connection that individuals can realize in their lives (Counseling Today, Dignity, Development & Diversity, Trauma and the soul wound, A multicultural-social justice perspective, Daniels, Judy & D’Andrea, Michael. 18 June 2007).
We need to learn how to see the connection.
Do we see the ways trauma disrupts our entire body, mind, spirit? Do we seek to focus on the manner the trauma was induced and impacts our physical and mental state of being? It is critical to embrace the truth about such soul wounds and the interconnections between the trauma - and the influence on the spirit and soul of the person, but, and perhaps most importantly - the connection with the spirit of the person - and the Almighty God who knows all things. Trauma may impact negatively, yet the Living God Almighty connects things for a purpose and works them out for good and His glory ultimately.
If we see the true impact of trauma to a person, we can begin to treat the root cause and not simply consider a band aid on the impact to the physical person. Trauma is often looked at from a clinical perspective, and yet many times not recognized from a spiritual focus, although clinicians are seeing the value of a holistic approach more today, I believe.
We are not physical beings only, but rather, and as my friend and brother Dana (who has gone Home to be with the Lord God) has said - ‘we are not bodies with a spirit, we are spiritual beings with a body.’ We cannot discount the spiritual battles happening all around, and we certainly cannot fail to recognize the impact of such trauma on the mind, body, and soul of a person. God wants us to cast the anxieties on Him (see 1 Peter 5:7), after humbling ourselves in His presence. He cares for us.
How has your soul been influenced by trauma? What is the trauma? Do you recognize the silent wound of the soul, or only seek a Westernized approach to the physical self for healing? Have you cast that care, that anxiety on the Lord for His loving embrace and care?
…But God demonstrates His love for us in this, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us… (See Romans 5:8 in part). Our eternity matters, and Jesus died not to give us life here in abundance (John 10:10) but to save us from the deep and eternal punishment of sin (a missing of the mark, or lawlessness). Because we are born into sin, and have a sin nature, our very soul is impacted by the nature of the world, the wickedness, the violence, the evil, the lack of love, and so-forth. This is a burden to the soul, Jesus died to take the sins on Himself, not just to lessen the burden, but to take it upon Himself.
Our souls still feel the effects of this broken world - in the things we see and do, the things we hear, the things we say - “O be careful little eyes what you see, O be careful little ears what you hear…” (Zondervan music publishers 1956)
In all of this, a therapeutic approach cannot only look at the physical impact alone but must consider the weight of the impact to the soul. The apostle Paul states, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18, NKJV). Eternity is real, and we all will one day find our time here over. What’s next?
We may battle for now, but the final Victory is already won in Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:50-58). We have trauma, and hardships here and now, and although the pain feels like it will last for an eternity, the truth is that those sufferings are not even worth being considered or compared to the glory which is awaiting to be revealed in us later on, and even now as we submit to the will of the Lord. He is worthy.
Be blessed as you continue the journey. Remember we are connected to God, and He desires for us to look to Him, to connect with others in our battles, blessings, and joys, and theirs. Please enjoy the brief video below, it is not mine, nor do I own the rights to it, but it is fantastic and worth the watch. Let’s look to the things above, let’s seek to have a spiritual view on the things which are impacting us now.
Here if you need me.