The Word is Trial and not Trauma
While on a prayer call, the leader had a word from the Lord on the word “trauma.” Many believers have given into this world and used it in the place of the word “trial.” What has been the result of this error? The Bible says tests and trials come to make us strong in our faith (1Peter1:6-7). “And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28 context Romans 8:18-39). In this, we learn that nothing can separate us from the love of God. So in trials, we are strengthened, and we lean on the love of God and the truth that He is working all things out. Our focus remains on Him and the purpose He has for us. We remain rooted in our true identity in Christ Jesus.
On the contrary, when we experience trials as trauma, we seek our own selfish benefit. In this place of self-glorification, we lose our identity. We begin to find things that will justify our feeling and emotions. We glorify our problems and make them greater than God in our own eyes. This, being led by our emotions and self, is an error. God nor our position in God changes in this time. In error, we distance ourselves from the only One who permanently restores us, and we look to self and humanity to vindicate us and heal what only God can.
When we see trials as trials, we know God’s word is still the truth. Our thoughts and behavior are consistent with the word of God and our identity in Christ Jesus. Let’s look at the two sides.
Seeing Trauma and not Trials
When viewing our trial as trauma, our behavior may mimic that of Tamar and Absalom (2 Samuel 13-18), Dinah and the house of Jacob (Genesis 30), or Tamar, the daughter-in-law of Judah (Genesis 38).
Tamar and Absalom
Let’s look now at Tamar, the daughter of David, sister of Absalom. Her stepbrother raped her. After which, she became desolate in her mind. Absalom came to her rescue. Took matters into his own hands and divided his father’s kingdom. We can, too, become obsessed with the trial and not the fact that we have overcome it. In our life will rise Absaloms to destroy the rule of God in our lives. They will remove everyone who is a threat to them and who they feel is a threat to you—causing us to lose sight of our Father the King. It seems as if His justice is delayed to Tamar, and we take matters into our own hands. Absalom took matters into his own hands. However, his wrath was not satisfied at the justice his own hands could deliver. We forget that we are the daughter of the King.
We get angry at the King because He will not obey us. Doesn’t He see us as we grieve, pout, and rant in anger? Does he see my poor sister and me, Absalom cried? Secretly we rebel, “I will make sure to get His attention. As a matter of fact, I will get my own attention” With this flawed mindset, the world is now subject to us, and when it does not cater to us, we revolt in proclaiming life is unfair. We forget our trials are to make us stronger. We forget that God will use all to His glory of God. And yes, that is in every situation, All!!!
[~Pardon~ This is how I handled many of life’s trials. All may handle it differently. But think back or think now. Did you begin to glorify God or yourself during your time of trials? Self-glorification can come in many ways: self-pity, complaining, ungratefulness, and blaming God].
Dinar and the House of Jacob
I am not advocating this way of taking justice into your own hands. Let’s look at another story. This is Dinah, the 7th child of Leah to Jacob. After Shechem raped Dinah, the sons of Jacob(her blood brothers) took revenge on behalf of their sister against Shechem and those who would resist justice. They did not take vengeance on Jacob, their father, but it was stuck on the one who committed the crime. Once this was taken, revenge was carried out; they were not content and pilfered their enemy’s land.
Tamar and Judah
When we behave as if God does not see and love us, we take matters into our own hands, and our revenge does not satisfy us. Yes, justice must come, and so must the mercy of God. For it is He who works all things. Let us look at another story. The story of Tamar, daughter of Judah (Genesis 38). She was unjustly treated, being left without a husband due to her husband’s evil. This was not her fault. She decided to take matters into her own hands against her father-in-law and was considered righteous by the unjust. However, Tamar did not wait on God to vindicate her. She set her crafty course for revenge and became the prostitute of her Father-in-law and mother to his child. The story ends there, from what I know, but she was not cared for or loved as a wife. Our own way of vengeance leaves us incomplete.
Seeing Trials as Trials
But a better way is the story of Joseph. We find his story in Genesis 37, 38-48. He was left to die, lied on, left to rot in prison, and forgotten after blessing others, yet he remained focused on the excellency of God, for his identity did not change in adversity. A deep dive into this with the help and fellowship of the Holy Spirit will encourage you that you remain victorious no matter what happens to you in this world.
Many of us have been raped, molested, and betrayed by those we deeply trusted, accused with such lies that we could not even refute. But what are we to do? Let us look at the life of Joesph.
Left to Die and Sold into Slavery
Joseph shared his dreams with his family. It is a blessing to have one in your family who can see the Lord’s plans. If they embraced such a blessing, the family would have enjoyed the blessing the Lord had given Joseph. But they could not endure the temptation of jealousy and sought to kill him. Yet God had an advocate amid Joseph’s enemies. Ruben, Joseph’s older brother, convinced the others that the murder would leave them guilty, so Ruben plotted to rescue Joseph. (Hmm, that is a story in itself…we cannot side with evil and try to do good in secret..it does not bring glory to God).
Joseph was sold into slavery by the time Rueben could return. Ruben kept this guilt in his heart. Joseph was treated as an enslaved person, yet in this oppression, Joseph did not forget his character was one of excellence. So Joseph was elevated.
Sexual Harassment and Assualt
Next is the trial of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and false accusation. Joseph was repeatedly harassed and propositioned by what may have been one of the most beautiful women in the kingdom, Potiphar’s wife. Yet he did not lose his identity. Potipher’s wife continued until one day, she saw Joseph alone and became aggressive with him, throwing herself at him. When Joseph remained submitted to God, resisting the temptation by fleeing, he was accused of trying to sleep with her. He did not submit because of her persistence yet was accused of what he did not do, thus finding himself in prison.
In Prison Unjustly
Joseph was put in prison and treated as such. Yet he did not forget his character or identity of excellence. Joseph was elevated in prison. The subsequent trial was that of being forgotten or rejected by the cup-bearer he helped. It was years, and Joesph was not bitter that he did not get recognition, for he knew it was God who gave him the interpretation of dreams. What a series of tests throughout Joseph’s life!!! There is more, but you can read on to see that God does not forget us!! Everything that Joseph when through was used to strengthen him. When he came to be the second in command of Egypt, Joseph could not be tempted by the lust of the eyes, pride of life, or the lust of the flesh. Joseph’s name was even changed, yet Joseph kept his identity.
Who is your identity? Who are you?
Truth: You are not traumatized! You are not ashamed! You are not guilty of the crime or wickedness that was done to you! You are forgiven! Yes, sometimes we blame ourselves for what was done to us.
Truth: You are the child of the living God. You are loved by God. You are uniquely made in His image and likeness. You are adopted and not abandoned. You are fully bought with the Blood of Jesus. You are joint-heir of the kingdom of God. You are an ambassador of the Kingdom of Heaven. Your identity is that of the nature of Christ. You are a new creation in Christ Jesus. Take this truth, and meditate on it until you believe it.
by Andrea Born2Free
