Take the time
Let’s take some time today in our busyness, in the hecticness of life’s nature, the chaotic aspects of this daily grind - to wait, truly wait on the Lord, His goodness, His timing, His word, His purpose. What is it today that you are struggling in? Do the intrusive thoughts enter frequently into your mind and heart? Are you panic-stricken in the hypervigilance which seeks to invade your world? What areas do you find that you are broken and struggling in?
Take time to wait in the presence of God. I am serious. He is gracious, and good - listen to these words -
“Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14, ESV)!
and these words - “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31, ESV).
Wait on the Lord and feed on His faithfulness! Be strong in the Lord and know that He is God, He cares about the struggles, and sees your hurt and fears - cast them on Him, ask Him to bring hope
Who are you waiting on? What are you waiting for? These are questions that only you can answer - but consider this: If you are waiting on anyone other than God for His promise and hope - you are waiting on the wrong person to fill you, only God can mend hurts and silent wounds. He is a healer and miracle worker! I have seen it and am still expectantly awaiting His timing and healing in other areas.
If you are waiting for someone else to bring you hope, give you peace, fill your emptiness - they (the other people: your spouse, your therapist who is helping you walk through this journey, your children, or any other earthly relationship) - can never bring you a lasting peace and fill you on a permanent level - only the Living God can do this, and it is only in a personal relationship through Jesus Christ.
I don’t have all the answers - but Jesus alone does, and He already sees you and knows what you need, and He alone has a purpose and perfect timing. I know that it may sound mystical to some reading this - but please know He is there, He cares and knows you!
Psalm 139 says this, “Oh, LORD, you have searched me and known me” (verse 1). He knows you, better than you know yourself. You can rest in His provision and love for you through PTSD flare-ups. I have had my share of (recent) setbacks in my thoughts, through invasive things that cause harm, and not only to me but to those whom I love. I have needed to seek the Lord - deeply, intimately, and often. He knows me, He has searched me, and knows me well!
Psalm 139 continues the thought, “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well” (verses 13-14).
Take time to wait on the only One who knows you - truly knows you! Jesus not only died for your sins on the cross of Calvary, but He gave Himself for your sorrows and struggles so that you can be whole no matter if you are healed on this earth, or not. He died for your sins and if you receive Him - the Bible says that to those who received Him - to them He gave the right to be called children of God (see John 1:12). You are His child if you have received Him and are walking with Him in truth. He can also bring a physical healing here for your PTSD, those intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, night-terrors, panic attacks, and other things that stem from the trauma.
Can you take the time to wait in the midst of the pain? Wait on Him who is waiting for you to turn fully to see Him. He is waiting and loving you even now. The song goes -
‘Let’s take time to wait upon the Lord, let’s take time to listen to His voice, unless the Lord builds the house, we labor in vain, so let’s take time to wait upon the Lord. Let’s take time to wait upon the Lord, let’s take time to feed upon His Word, unless the Lord builds the house, we labor in vain, so let’s take time to wait upon the Lord’ (Lets Take Time To Wait Song Lyrics | Divine Hymns | Song Lyrics).
You are uniquely and wonderfully created by God, and He knows you inside and out, He created you with that smile, that grin, that laugh - He is perfectly situated to offer hope and help in the midst of your traumatic reliving - will you not only wait on Him, but call out to Him? He is there waiting for you - to give you a blessed assurance and hope that will not disappoint.
If you feel so inclined - check out my devotional offering called This is the Day: A 31-Day Journey into PTSD. It is a devotional, not a clinical offering and may offer some insights for you through the lens of Scripture. If you want to purchase a copy, please go to the link provided, if you need help and perhaps cannot make the purchase - send me a message here in the comments or email me kfortier@liberty.edu and let’s talk (or email) and see what we can do to help.
Be exceptionally blessed and know that you are loved and have value! Walk in that truth today and the other voices that say differently are voices of the enemy seeking to cause harm and anguish. You are loved and have so much value as a person created in the image and likeness of Almighty God. Walk in that truth.
Blessings to you -
