All of us have trauma, for some of us it stems from our parents, some from a spouse, it could have been a stranger or extended family member, and for others, it was believers just like us who acted in a way that invaded our boundaries and left a sustainable wound that many are attempting to overcome.  We hear a lot about trauma and church hurt these days.  I for one am thankful we are talking about it.  The Bible says all are broken and in need of a Savior, and if we can start to walk in that place, we might make ourselves available to Yeshua for the healing we all need.

I personally have heard many well-respected teachers in the Messianic corner of Christianity say all we need is the Old Testament (Torah) to stabilize us.  I have been a full bible believer since 2007.  That hasn’t worked, in fact, it has covered up sins no differently than we see in many larger religious institutions around the world.  Whether you consider yourself a Baptist, Messianic, Pentecostal, a Pastor, an Apostle, or any other label, we are all recovering and attempting to forgive traumatic experiences. No one book or passage of the Bible is the pill that immediately makes anything go away. There is no one pill a day to stop lust, greed, arrogance, pride, jealousy, envy, anger, or demonic cooperation.

Overcoming trauma can be an incredibly difficult journey, but as Messianic Christians, we have hope in Jesus Christ (Yeshua). Through prayer and release to Him, we can find healing and even forgiveness for those who have caused us harm. Let us explore how to overcome trauma and forgive those who have hurt us, with the help of the Bible and the power of the Holy Spirit.

The first step in overcoming trauma is to acknowledge the pain and hurt that we have experienced. We cannot begin to heal if we do not first admit that we have been wounded. Psalm 147:3 reminds us that God is a healer of the brokenhearted and is faithful to bind up our wounds. Through prayer, we can bring our hurts to God and ask for His comfort and healing.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” – Psalm 147:3

Once we have acknowledged our pain, we can begin to seek healing. Isaiah 61:1 speaks of the Messiah who was anointed to bring good news and healing to those who are broken and oppressed. As believers in Jesus, we have access to this same healing power through the Holy Spirit. Through prayer, reading the Bible, and attending church, we can draw closer to Jesus and allow Him to work in our lives.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor;[a] he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;”  - Isaiah 61:1

The next step is to release the person responsible for our trauma to Jesus. This can be incredibly difficult, and to be honest there are still some I am working on releasing, but through prayer, we can ask for God's help in forgiving them. Philippians 3:12-14 reminds us to forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead. By releasing the person to Jesus, we are able to let go of the pain and hurt they have caused us and start to move forward with our lives.  It doesn’t mean that the adversary isn’t going to try to bring it back up, you can count on it.  Remember the adversary wants to seek, kill and destroy, you and the person who has wronged you.  Also, remember you have wronged others.  So don’t add to the trauma by being a hypocrite.

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  - Philippians 3:12-14

Forgiveness is not always easy, but it is necessary for our own healing. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 reminds us that God is a God of comfort, and He desires to use our own experiences of healing to bring comfort to others who are going through similar struggles. By forgiving the person responsible for our trauma, we can find a sense of peace and freedom that allows us to minister to others who are hurting.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”  - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

One of the most powerful aspects of following Jesus is the ability to find purpose and meaning in our pain. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." When we surrender our pain and hurts to Jesus, He can use them for His glory and our benefit. Through our experiences, we can minister to others and share the hope we have found in Jesus.

“And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good,[a] for those who are called according to his purpose.”  - Romans 8:28

Forgiveness does not mean that we forget what has happened or that we excuse the actions of the person who hurt us. It simply means that we release them to Jesus and trust that He will deal with the situation in His perfect timing. Through forgiveness, we are able to move forward and find healing.

As Messianic Christians, we have access to the healing power of Jesus Christ.  If Yeshua and the Holy Spirit aren’t present and the center of your walk, you will never be delivered from the traumatic memories or pains you have walked in.  Through prayer and release to Him, we can overcome trauma and even forgive those who have caused us harm. Let us remember the words of Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," and trust that with Jesus, all things are possible.  Through making ourselves low Yeshua can be exalted, the power and presence of God in our lives can be exalted, and we can finally be set free. 

There are millions of self-help books, processes, websites, and billions of revenue earned annually by personalities with a promise of helping you overcome your trauma. I have a simple, yet sometimes painful, free solution: Jesus. Remember, only God can save you, I can’t save you, the Torah can’t save you, your walk can’t save you, and only total submission to the power of Jesus can change the trajectory of your life. Only God can part waters and drown mighty nations. Only God can bring peace. Ultimately, trauma robs you of that peace.

In conclusion, Jesus says “My peace I give you.” Stop looking for peace and healing in any place other than Jesus. Sit in His presence and let Him do what only He can do. We are praying for you at Hebraic Family Fellowship. Whatever that moment/s was that robbed you of your peace in Jesus will be eradicated and restored with peace that only God can pour out.

Read en espanol: Trauma