God heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. Psalm 147:3

 

After the 2023 Turkey earthquake, Ayaz traveled to the destroyed city of Antakya and distributed relief supplies.  Yet, as he prepared to leave, he heard a woman’s voice crying from the rubble.

Frantically, Ayaz began digging into a mound of broken concrete with his hands, calling for others to help. The woman was found alive but the thought of all those who died instantly or slowly and excruciatingly remained in Ayaz’s troubled thoughts and dreams.

Ayaz didn’t realize it, but he had experienced trauma that, for most of us, is unimaginable. Trauma is becoming an increasingly common part of the human experience. When we witness something very stressful, frightening or upsetting, the experience can trigger anger or depression. Traumatized people may shut down, numbing themselves to block out upsetting feelings. Trauma spills out to touch our work, relationships, faith, and personal well-being.

The Bible tells us that “God heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds” (Psalm 147:3). This references the wounds of the heart, mind, and soul and shows God’s deep compassion for those experiencing emotional pain.

Whether you’ve experienced trauma or want to support someone struggling with the effects of a traumatic experience, the healing process starts with acknowledging how real and hard this is. God uses us to bring His healing to one another. Healing from trauma requires sensitivity, understanding, and patience–invisible wounds are complicated and require us to communicate vulnerably and listen patiently. Just as God listens to us in prayer, we can listen to one another, covering in love, validating hard feelings, and demonstrating His care.