From Trauma to Triumph: The Process in Progress

Trauma comes in many forms.  Some experience trauma at an early age. Others may experience trauma later in life. At some point in life most people will encounter, or experience some level of trauma. Trauma is defined as an emotional response to a terrible event. Understanding what trauma, or how it is defined, was interesting to me. I was initially thinking that trauma was an actual event, i.e. abuse injury, etc., but trauma in itself is the reaction to the event.  

Looking back over my life, many things have happened that have been traumatic. The most recent, and hardest thing I experienced, is not just my mother‘s passing, but being with her as she took her last breath.  From the countdown of the heart monitor, to the cries in the room, everything about that moment is still fresh in my mind.  I can still hear the nurse as she found us with the doctor in the family room: “If you want to see her come now she is actively dying.”  Several months later, that day is still fresh in my mind. That single event alone changed me.  I found myself moving on auto, not really remembering how to breathe, knowing my life will never be the same. My world was no longer the same, and I honestly did not know how or what I was going to do next. 

Each of us has a story, a moment, or series of moments that take our very breath away; perhaps it was the loss of a parent, child, spouse, job, home or even innocence. Something has happened that knocked the wind out of us. Sometimes the wind is knocked out of us so much we find ourselves collapsing, unable to think, move or do anything.   Having the will and desire to stand up, put one foot in front of the other and move can be hard. We know eventually we have to get up and move, but it can be so hard, especially when we do not have the strength, mind, will, or desire to move on.  Sometimes seeing life beyond the moment(s) and event, events(s) is hard. The tears are flowing so hard and heavy, like a heavy downpour of rain. The rain and wind is so heavy, there’s nothing to do but wait out the storm.

Waiting is hard. Many of us want things now. We want the instant, right now, or at least quickly. We know that there are things that really are worth the wait. We recognize that rushing the process typically leads to rush results, but we still want it now! We microwave our food, make instant coffee, instant potatoes, instant, instant, instant.  While we may produce something in the rush and instant, when we slow down, wait, and trust the process, the results are better.

The same is true as we navigate life, and move through our experiences. We must understand that there is a process to progressing forward.  As I began the process to progressing forward I had to be keenly aware of God, His timing, accept His hand, guidance and help during the storms blowing around me. Sometimes the storm is so fierce, all I can do is be still.  As I write I hear God speaking, reminding me:  “Be still, and know that I am God!”  So,  in my process to progressing, I must first be still and recognize the sovereignty of God. I have had to remember,  He is God.  I do not have to understand any of it, and honestly, I probably will not not ever fully understand the vast complexity of this journey of life, but in order to make progress, I need to be still and know He is Go.  He has this far better than I ever will. 

 I need to also trust. Proverbs 35 says “Trust in the Lord with all my heart”   While waiting, I need to trust God.  Just because I do not agree with the outcome does not, and should not impact my trust in Him.  In the middle of the stor,  I need to trust Him.   After all, things around me are falling apart.  Nothing seems stable.  The very groundI am standing on is shaking.  Things around me are falling apart.  I cannot see in front of me. When this happens, I need to hold to the one that is firm and sure: Christ. As the song says: “On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand.” Peter in the middle of the storm, acknowledged Christ, and allowed Christ to direct his path. In the midst of the storm, Peter initially focused on Christ, and was able to navigate through the storm.  However, when Peter stopped trusting and acknowledged the storm, he began to sink.  

We need to remember to not acknowledge and focus on the storm or event, but rather acknowledge Christ.  It is easy to be like Peter and get distracted, focusing on the storm and events around us. If we find ourselves like Peter, sinking because of the storms around us, we can like Peter cry: Lord save me!” and Christ immediately saves us.  

The journey may not be an easy one. There may be some places and spaces we have to walk through as we are progressing ahead.  But we do not have to do this on our own. We have the Lord is is willing and able to help us. All we need to do is turn to Him, knowing He is Go, keep our eyes on Him and trust the process.  As we move forward, we will find we are moving from Trauma to Triumph for we are victorious and more than conquerors!