Healing the Wounds of Trauma

• had many bad things happen in the past, particularly if they happened when he or she was a child, like both parents dying. • already had many problems before this happened. • did not have the support of family or friends during and after the event.

3. What does the Bible teach us about how to handle our feelings?

Some Christians who have troubles like these say that we shouldn’t think or talk about our feelings. They also say that we shouldn’t go to others for help with our troubles. They say we should just forget the past and move on. They think that feeling pain in our hearts means we are doubting God’s promises. This is not true! ❂❂ SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION What do these verses teach about handling our feelings? Matthew 26.37–38 (Jesus) Matthew 26.75 (Peter) 1Samuel 1.10, 13–16(Hannah) John 11.33–35 (Jesus) Jonah 4.1–3 (Jonah) Psalm 55.4–6 (David) Jesus had strong feelings and shared them with his disciples. Paul teaches us to share our problems with each other as a way of caring for each other (Ga 6.2; Phil 2.4). The Old Testament is full of examples of people pouring out their hearts to God: for example, Hannah, David, Solomon, Jeremiah. The psalmist tells us that if we hold our pain in, it can make us sick. “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long” (Ps 32.3, NIV). God wants us to be honest and speak the truth from our hearts.

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How Can the Wounds of Our Hearts Be Healed?