People often grapple with these questions when faced with a traumatic event or a personal tragedy. While I may not have all the answers, I believe that God does. In moments of confusion and uncertainty, turning to God’s Word for wisdom can be our anchor.
So, what insights does His Word offer regarding trauma? Surprisingly, it provides ample guidance. Throughout Scripture, there are verses that lay a foundation for understanding trauma and how we can find hope and healing. But before we delve into these verses, I’d like to begin with a prayer. Would you pray with me?
Gracious Heavenly Father, we acknowledge Your kindness, grace, and unceasing goodness. Your mercies are renewed with each passing day, and we are grateful for the personal and intimate relationship You desire with us. With that in mind, I offer this prayer for those whom You have led to this place.
You are well aware of their suffering, pain, and struggles. You see them and fully comprehend their circumstances. You have heard their heartfelt prayers, both those uttered and those kept in silence, and You’ve collected every tear they’ve shed.
Therefore, I beseech You to convey a message of peace, wrapped in hope. Draw them near, unveil the truth, and tenderly extend Your grace and compassion. I make this plea in the name of Jesus. Amen.
My dear friend, if you or someone you hold dear is grappling with trauma, and if the questions seem never-ending, my heart goes out to you. I understand.
This life is riddled with uncertainties, often leaving us feeling adrift and bewildered. Will you journey with me as we explore five profound truths that offer insight and reveal what God conveys about our suffering?
- God Is Still Good
In Genesis 1:31, we are reminded that when God surveyed His creation, He saw that it was exceedingly good. Yet, in the midst of our trials and tribulations, it’s easy to feel as if God has somehow abandoned us or that His goodness has waned.
This couldn’t be further from the truth. God’s goodness has remained constant since the very beginning. He declared “It is good” repeatedly during the creation of the world, including the sky, land, sea, animals, and humanity (Genesis 1).
Regrettably, the entrance of sin into the world altered this pristine state. The enemy introduced imperfection and tainted every human thereafter, leading us to be driven by our earthly desires.
However, it is essential to recognize that God knew these challenges would arise and still chose to create us because His love is boundless. Love is inherent to God’s nature. He is eternally good, characterized by purity, holiness, righteousness, and faultlessness.
Hence, it is crucial to understand that the occurrence of adverse events doesn’t diminish God’s goodness. Such events transpire because we live in a fallen and fractured world, inhabited by sin-prone individuals, and opposed by an adversary who has waged war from time immemorial.
- God Cares About Our Situations
In Nahum 1:7, we’re assured that the Lord is good and a shelter during times of trouble. He demonstrates genuine care for those who place their trust in Him.
While God may not be the source of our traumatic experiences, He is acutely aware of our daily challenges and remains unshaken by any of them.
Much like a loving father, God cares deeply for His children and the difficulties they encounter. However, as any parent understands, our children sometimes resist or push us away, particularly during their teenage years.
God extends an invitation for us to place our trust in Him.
It’s essential to recognize that God has always known that sin would lead to profound sorrow and suffering. He foresaw that there would be moments when we’d be gripped by fear, anxiety, and a tendency to rely on ourselves or others to meet our needs. This is why His Word is replete with verses that encourage us to trust Him and dispel our fears.
As we learn to place our trust in Him, we can release our need to make sense of our circumstances and come to understand that God’s plan surpasses the superficial appearance. The beauty of God’s care is that, as we release our grip, we find solace in His loving embrace, as Nahum 1:7 describes.