This week our teaching topic was on Grief and Trauma Processing and how to effectively bring the comfort of Jesus to people who are deeply hurting. We looked at the signs and stages of grief and trauma, what scripture says about it, and how to help people process what they've been through in a healthy and healing way that points them to the ultimate healer, Jesus. We also looked at our own life and asked the Lord to reveal any unresolved painful experiences so we could bring them before God and let Him softly cleanse and heal our wounds because we know that God uses healed people to heal people.
It's amazing to me that the same God who hears our joys, hopes, dreams and laughter, at the same time hears the screams and cries of every abused child, widowed mother, and broken heart. He hears it all, He sees every tear and also rejoices over every triumph. He cares about the big and He cares about the small.
This week has been full letting God hold my hand while I ask the hard questions, those questions that sometimes we feel like we aren't allowed to ask. God, why do innocent babies die? Why do good people go on the mission field and not make it back home? Why are children born with diseases and special needs? If You desire to heal then why is there still sickness? If You desire life, then why is there so much death? If You are a provider then why do millions of people go hungry every day? These are the very real questions that were burning in my mind this week. And I think He really does want us to ask. He wants us to open up those places of our hearts where we don't feel like we have it figured out, and I still don't have all my questions answered; and that's totally okay. Because at the end of it all, I know this for sure: He really is good, He really does care and He is trustworthy, and it's okay that we don't know. He's willing to walk us through it.
Life sometimes can throw us really hard unexplainable circumstances, but we serve a God who lives outside of time and outside of circumstance. He loves us. So, so deeply. There are some things we can't explain in this world, and sometimes people tell us things they are going through and we just don't have the words to respond, and that's okay. We weren't called to have the perfect words every time. We were called to love, and sometimes that just means being there and admitting that we don't really understand; but we know the One who does.
"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." John 16:33
"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time." Psalm 34:18-19
"Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that you family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. In His kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to Him forever! Amen." 1 Peter 5:7-11
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Payment for a student/Winter SOMD/2016
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