By: Kacie Starr Long
My eyes squinted at the dim digital numbers on my alarm clock perched atop our bedroom windowsill.
6:05 am.
I heard my husband opening drawers in the bathroom and later turning on the shower.
My morning brain struggled to remember why he was up so early. My husband's morning routine usually consisted of coffee and devotion time with God, but rarely did it start with a 6:00 am shower.
He must have an appointment somewhere, I thought as I pulled the covers over my head. Perhaps an early morning mentoring session with an at-risk teen, or a zoom meeting. And then the realization hit me! My husband did have an appointment this morning -- two appointments with doctors. Although these appointments are routine, my heart skipped a beat as I lay in bed remembering.
I remembered the season just a few years ago of multiple doctors visits with my husband, his numerous medical tests, MRIs, CT scans, and later chemotherapy sessions, radiation appointments, and visits to the neurological floor of the hospital after his stroke.
If I am honest, that season was traumatic. Not just for me but also for Alfred. There was a season when going to the hospital or to the doctor was equated with bad news.
Trauma is defined as: an emotional response to a terrible event. Longer-term reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships, and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea.
As Christians, we will experience traumatic events. It's nice to believe that if we know Jesus, we won't ever experience grief, sadness, or bad news but that just isn't true. However as I lay in my bed thinking about Al's medical visits and what the visit could or would reveal, I remembered something my friend, Ann Billingsley shared:
"Remember the travel and not the trauma."
"Remember the travel and not the trauma."
"Remember the travel and not the trauma."
I could hear her cool, soothing words and my spirit calmed. I knew God was ministering to me at that moment.
"Remember the travel and not the trauma."
It was scary, and frightening going through the season of battling cancer and later a stroke with Al a few years ago, but you know what? God was with us every step of the way. Yes, the season was hard, sad, and traumatic but God never left our side during the journey. He traveled with us, through each and every step; and when we didn't have the strength to walk any longer, God carried us.
Satan would love for you and me to rehearse the traumatic events in our lives and remain arrested in our pain, but I believe God wants us to press further in our memory and SEE how God has been with us every step of the way.
Remember the travel and not the trauma.
Whatever has been traumatic, or difficult for you can you see how God was with you? Even in your broken moments, when you thought all hope was lost, can you remember God's presence, a word that was spoken, or a breakthrough that happened that allowed you to keep going?
God's promise to us is that He will never leave us or forsake us. He is with us in our celebratory, mountaintop moments and He is with us in our knee-deep valley, traumatic moments. Remember the travel and not the trauma.
Yes, life can be hard. It can seem unfair. And yes, traumatic events hurt, but will you make a commitment to yourself that you will not get stuck in pain, but you will PRESS through to see God's goodness in every situation.
Remembering the travel - God's grace, His goodness, and how He has carried you through past pain requires a perspective shift. When we have this perspective shift, it prevents you from becoming bitter and having a hardened heart toward God, His people, and life in general.
I'm meditating on this scripture this morning while Al is at the doctor and I encourage you to do the same if you find yourself tempted to become halted by past trauma.
"But this I call to mind, and therefore have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in Him." (Lamentations 3:21-24)
May we remember to:
* Call to mind that God is faithful!
* Remain rooted in the knowledge and wisdom that God's love is steadfast, it is an endless cycle of love, love, love, toward us, and for us.
* God is merciful and His mercy never ends. Traumatic events in life may come. Hard situations may come, but God's mercy travels with us and forms a buffer.
* Know that God is faithful. In our mountaintop, celebratory moments and in the valley of trials and bad news. God is faithful. He is consistent. He is good.
* Remind our hearts to remain committed to SEE God's goodness in every situation. The LORD is our hope. The LORD is our banner. Our hope is firm in the LORD. Come whatever may, we will trust and hope in the Lord.
This article was published in Jewel Warrior, a Christian women's online devotional. Please subscribe to receive encouraging devotionals each day from women from around the world.
Hi, my name is Kacie Starr Long. I am an author, speaker and I love to use my voice to point people to Jesus. When I'm not writing, I'm either working out at Orange Theory Fitness or sewing. God delivered me from food addiction and I have a sewing ministry, called the Sew Hope Community Sewing Room . I am the proud wife of Alfred T. Long, Sr and together we lead a non-profit that serves prisoners and their families. Connect with me at www.InspiredOverflow.com and via my YouTube page for Christian teachings and encouragement.