“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 NASB)
A year ago this week a friend and I were out for an early morning walk on the roads in our neighborhood. We’d just about finished when we were unintentional witnesses to a fatal car crash. In the moment, we called 911, went to the site, helped in whatever ways we could, gave our statements to law enforcement, and left praying for those involved. But after that hour she went home and cried for two days and my mind/body/emotions basically shut down. A wise friend called this “trauma.”
“Trauma is the response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope, causes feelings of helplessness, diminishes their sense of self and their ability to feel a full range of emotions and experiences. It does not discriminate and it is pervasive throughout the world.” *
“There are three main types of trauma: Acute, Chronic, or Complex. Acute trauma results from a single incident. Chronic trauma is repeated and prolonged such as domestic violence or abuse. Complex trauma is exposure to varied and multiple traumatic events, often of an invasive, interpersonal nature.” **
I knew what some types of trauma were, but had never experienced this type on this level. Looking back now, I know that in addition to the mind/body/emotions attack, my spirit was under attack, too. The enemy of our souls comes to steal our joy, kill our hope, and destroy our lives. Whether you recently found out your son has to have emergency brain surgery, or you are living with chronic and debilitating back pain, or your spouse degrades you verbally – these are all types of traumas. God wants us to live the abundant, full-of-love-and-grace life.
Last weekend at a meeting with visiting ministers we were asked what things were holding our church back and one of the things mentioned was “fear.” When explained, the respondent said he’d had vivid and terrifying dreams that left him afraid to move ahead. The minister labeled those dreams as a form of trauma but then she said, “You must pray to close the door on trauma.” To me, that was an interesting statement. I had never thought we could control the effects of trauma in our lives. It seems like these things just hit and you have to deal with them. But Jesus said, “I have given you authority to…overcome all the power of the enemy….” When we know him as Lord and Savior and when we have Holy Spirit living within us we don’t have to succumb to the power of the enemy. The “hits” of life – especially in the form of trauma – don’t have to take us down.
God wants us to live out love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control. Nowhere in there is listed “fear,” “anger,” “discouragement,” or a variety of other things, including “trauma.” God wants us to live an abundant life. To do that, we must close the door on the spiritual attacks when they come – including those labeled trauma. We must have godly and encouraging voices in our lives, reminding us that the pain and suffering is not God’s plan for us. We must have words like this to provide balm for our souls:
“Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me. For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.” (Matthew 11:28-30 TPT)
Jesus,
We thank you for being Emmanuel, God With Us, who knows what it is like to live as a human. Thank you for overcoming the sin, evil, and trauma of this world because of your death and resurrection. Thank you that the kingdom reign of our God and the ruling authority of you, the Anointed One, are established. You have overcome the world and deprived the enemy of power to harm us. Your name is power, healing and life! God, there are so many people in this world who are facing so many types of traumas. Today we pray for them – for us – that you would shut the doors of those traumas. Break every stronghold, shine through the shadows, and burn like a fire. Free them/us to live not in the destruction of the enemy, but the full and abundant life of Jesus Christ. Give them/us godly, encouraging people who help them/us seek your oasis rest, refreshment, and healing. Give us more of your Fruit, more of your courage, and more of your peace and confidence. Help us call out to you when we are in times of stress, sorrow, or suffering and to know that we have authority to conquer the enemy by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. Help us share with others the hope and victory we have in Christ Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.
“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” (Luke 10:19 NIV)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:23-24 NIV)
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]” (John 16:33 AMPC)
“Then I heard a triumphant voice in heaven proclaiming: ‘Now salvation and power are set in place, and the kingdom reign of our God and the ruling authority of his Anointed One are established. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who relentlessly accused them day and night before our God, has now been defeated—cast out once and for all! They conquered him completely through the blood of the Lamb and the powerful word of his testimony. They triumphed because they did not love and cling to their own lives, even when faced with death. So rejoice, you heavens, and every heavenly being!'” (Revelation 12:10-12 TPT)
* https://integratedlistening.com/what-is-trauma/
** https://earlyconnections.mo.gov/professionals/trauma-informed-care
I Speak Jesus
I just wanna speak the name of Jesus
Over every heart and every mind
‘Cause I know there is peace within Your presence
I speak Jesus
I just wanna speak the name of Jesus
‘Til every dark addiction starts to break
Declaring there is hope and there is freedom
I speak Jesus
‘Cause Your name is power
Your name is healing
Your name is life
Break every stronghold
Shine through the shadows
Burn like a fire
I just wanna speak the name of Jesus
Over fear and all anxiety
To every soul held captive by depression
I speak Jesus
Shout Jesus from the mountains
Jesus in the streets
Jesus in the darkness over every enemy
Jesus for my family
I speak the holy name
Jesus (Jesus)
I just wanna speak the name of Jesus
Over every heart and every mind
‘Cause I know there is peace within Your presence
I speak Jesus
Songwriters: Jesse Pryor Reeves / Dustin Smith / Abby Benton / Carlene Prince / Raina Prattlyrics © Integrity’s Praise! Music, Here Be Lions Publishing