Healing the Wounds of Trauma

Lesson 8 Response: TAKING YOUR PAIN TO THE CROSS

We have taken time to recognize the pains we are carrying, and we have expressed that pain by sharing and listening to one another, in laments, and in the art exercise. Nowwe will bring those pains to the cross of Christ and ask him to heal our wounded hearts. This exercise should be done toward the end of the seminar, after people have been thinking about their heart wounds and feel ready to share their pain with God and others. Do it in a way that people know they will not be criticized, and what they share will not be used against them. It is not a magic ritual, but a way to experience God beginning to heal our pain. It is often done as an evening session. To prepare for this exercise, leaders need to make a cross out of wood and have paper and pens for everyone. They also need matches and a place outside to burn the papers. It is important that the papers burn without a lot of difficulty, as that would distract from the experience. If it is not possible to make a cross, the leaders need to devise some other symbol of the cross. A cross drawn on a box could suffice. If the symbol of the cross is not acceptable, find another symbol of Christ’s death that is acceptable. If paper is not available, or if people are not comfortable writing their personal pains, think about provid- ing participants with other items that can be burned and that can be used to symbolize their pain (such as small sticks or drawings). If it is not possible to make a fire, try flash paper made from nitrocellulose (available at stores that sell theater effects ormagician’s supplies).This may also be necessary in areas where people are afraid their security might be at risk if these things were written down even for amoment. In the course of the exercise, the papers are either nailed to the cross or laid at the foot of the cross. If the papers are to be nailed to the cross,

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Response: Taking Your Pain to the Cross