Healing the Wounds of Trauma

work. God gave them special care at that time. Take time in prayer to know God’s love and care for you.

B. Share your burdens with others. Have regular times for sharing and prayer with a small group or another person. Share with other caregivers or mature Christians. In the same way that people who have experienced trauma need to talk it out, caregivers need to share their burdens with someone (Ga 6.2). C. Share the workload with others. ❂❂ DISCUSSION QUESTION Read Exodus 18.13–23. What was Moses’ problem? How did he solve it? Sharing the workloadmeans, first of all, giving up some of the control of your ministry. Others will do things differently than you do, and you will no longer be at the center of everything that happens. Identify others in the church who are mature and who are gifted in helping others. It is good to have a balanced team of people: men and women, from different ages and ethnic groups (Ro 12.4–8). Train them how to help others, and then let the people know that they can go to them for help when they have problems. Help church members understand that people besides the pastor or priest can help them. Christians canminister to one another. Help churchmembers understand that you will be able to work better if you can take time to “sharpen your knife.” Then your satisfaction comes from training others well and seeing them succeed. If people fromother churches come to you, explain to their church leaders what is happening so they don’t think that you are trying to steal their members. Train these church leaders how to help people with wounded hearts. D. Take time away from the situation. Find opportunities to rest and get away from the difficulties and pain. Jesus and his disciples did. “There were so many people coming

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Caring for the Caregiver