Recently, I was reading Genesis, where Eve encounters the serpent in the garden of Eden. We all know how the story goes: the lie was believed the fruit was eaten, and here we are, living daily in a fallen world, encountering the consciences of sin. The introduction of the fall was an open door for trauma. The trauma that coincides with the fall still bears weight on our souls today. While reading this story, I had a light bulb moment. We are not intended to live outside of the beauty of Eden, and our fallen world bears a burden on our souls that was not how we were designed to live. Bearing the burden of trauma isn’t how our souls will thrive. It’s the opposite of how we are prepared to operate.
If the heaviness of trauma isn’t a burden that our souls can thrive carrying, what do we do with the traumatic events that weigh us down? We look to the author and finisher of our faith, Jesus. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus boldly states about our souls’ burdens.
He says, “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light”.
With assurance, Jesus declares that He is the answer for our weary souls. Oh, how sweet a Savior who offers Himself to be our yoke and rest for our souls. The labor and heave laden of trauma are to be given to Jesus. Let me give an encouraging word that God doesn’t want you burdened with the harm that has happened to you. God has invited you to come to Him and lay down that which is heavy laden and burdensome and take up the healing yoke of Christ.
Let’s define trauma to grasp the impact better. Doctor Denise Colson describes trauma in her book Break Every Stinking Chain! Healing for Hidden Wounds, any event from outside of your power/control/conscious choice that contradicts your identity to the point that it raises your stress to toxic levels and creates unacceptable losses. What is so impactful of trauma is our identity is assaulted, and significant losses are experienced. When we are traumatized, we lose ourselves. There is a disconnect between the wounds of our soul and who we are. The false identity gained through trauma can become the place where we live. We want to ensure that the scars from trauma aren’t where we live, bringing about negative behaviors and coping mechanisms.
Now that the gravity of trauma is put in place by exploring the definition let’s go back to Jesus taking His healing yoke. When the robber meets the road, the healing power of Jesus is where freedom from those negative behaviors and unwanted coping mechanisms happens. Jesus works from the inside out, healing us, and we see the fruit in changed behavior. The first step is the invitation. Identifying the harm that has been caused, that there is a wound and the invitation of Jesus into those places. Take the intent of labeling the injury and praying for God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in the specific place. Naming the wound and the invitation to God into that particular hurt is an invitation of the person of God, the living God who created the heavens and the earth into the wounded places.
When working through trauma, I advise finding someone qualified to help you. The process of trauma work is complex, and it is essential that you be in a safe place when you do the work. No worries, Jesus is always with you and wants the invitation to take your burden and give you rest.
Valerie Jackson
MA, LAPC