COPING WITH SUDDEN TRAUMATIC EVENTS-GRIEF, ACCEPTANCE AND WALKING BY FAITH

                               FROM PAIN TO PEACE

Coping with Sudden Traumatic Events- Grief, Acceptance,  Walking by Faith   

1 Peter 5:8-9 - Stay alert! Watch out for the great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him and be strong in your faith. Remember that Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering as you are.

1 Peter 5:6-7 - So humble yourselves under the might power of God and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Psalm 147:3 - God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

If you are anything like me, I watch the violence and catastrophic natural events going on in the world today and wonder if things are worse now than they have ever been. Yet,  ff you read the bible and its accounts; Christians have been severely persecuted and evil has been allowed by God to run rampant all throughout history. Its still unsettling and very sad to me to see innocent people killed for no reason at all. We deal with this kind of suffering globally as well as personally. It seems we are seeing increasing accounts of sudden traumatic events nationally and globally in current times.

A sudden tragic event shatters our sense of order and thrusts us into a world forever changed. Survivors of sudden loss may experience a greater sense of vulnerability and heightened anxiety. The safe world we once knew, no longer exists. We fear for ourselves, our family and friends. Survivors can become overwhelmingly preoccupied with thoughts that such a random act of violence might happen again.

Wilson (2008), Methodist pastor, defines a critical incident may be defined as a considerable traumatic event with multiple deaths, as on which they are able to manage and contain within local "first responders"" resources. Because of the scale of some incidents, a disaster or major incident is one in which they require additional resources from neighboring services, hospitals, local aurthories and voluntary agencies.Wilson (2008) states that events such as these will mean a large number of emergency service workers and others (ie pasotral/christian counselors/lay christian service workers) will experience post traumatic stress and need support.. This, together with reaction of the general public, will bring intense corporate grief and will benefit from an understanding response and support from people from the local church and other faith based organizations.

What can we do with this as the person who is affected indirectly from the sudden tragic event? Usually as people who support others through a sudden tragic event, we will be left to support those who need continuing personal support, especially after the first year. For many of the bereaved and traumatized individuals will live with effects of their experience for many years to the rest of their life.

Lift them up in prayer daily  - they will feel the prayers and strength from the church body and God. Communicate with them, let them know you are there with them.   

What spiritual lessons can we learn from traumatic events and sorrow?

Everyone needs times to laugh and dance, but we also need times to weep and mourn (Ecclesiastes 3:4). Spiritual growth takes place more in difficult times than in easy times. When a loved one dies, it's a valuable time to reflect on your own mortality and your relationship with God. It has been said, "An open casket can be worth a thousand sermons." Some people avoid funerals and avoid visiting people in hospitals and nursing homes because these situations make them feel uncomfortable and unhappy. But to be a healer, you must go where people are hurting. If you do, your unselfishness will help you mature and grow.

 God is Our Source of Comfort and Faith that we will see our loved ones again! Our Creator knows our hearts and always knows best how to help us. All the answers to life's questions are in His Bible. When we are grief-stricken, if we will talk to God and read His Word, we will experience great comfort, hope and healing. Prayer and Bible study are the two things we need to do every day of our lives.

God is present in those who suffer AND in those who seek to help them.

ASSIGNMENT:

Make a simple list of things you need to do in the very near future to tie up unresolved relationship or personal issues. If you haven't told family and friends often enough that you love them, write that down. If there are things that are hindering you from a closer walk with God - acknowledge, face and with God's help, move beyond these things.  Set realistic deadlines to tackle the items on your list. Pray that God may guide you through these often emotional tasks and help you to be mindful and considerate of others going through loss.

FATHER GOD - THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR OMNIPOTENT POWER OVER ALL TRAUMATIC EVENTS AND VIOLENCE IN THIS WORLD. PLEASE SHOW US HOW TO MOVE BEYOND OUR SORROW SO WE MAY SERVE YOU. SHOW US HOW TO SUPPORT, ENCOURAGE AND UPLIFT OTHERS THAT HAVE BEEN THROUGH TRAUMATIC EVENTS. REMIND US TO READ YOUR WORD AND PRAY TO YOU THROUGH OUR SAD, EMOTIONAL TIMES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE AND PROMISE OF EVERLASTING LIFE AS BELIEVERS. AMEN

The New Century Bible "The Everyday Bible" (1991). Dallas, TX: Word Publishing

Wilson, Gordon (2008) Dealing with Trauma - The Methodist Church of Great Britain. www.methodist.org.uk/downloads/pc_traumaart0105.pdf Retrieved on Oct 4, 2013