Diane Langberg, trauma healing expert and counselor for sexual abuse victims, discusses the complexity and nature of trauma. They explore how scriptures can bring hope, the embodiment of Christ through serving others, finding healing in the church community, and addressing trauma openly in congregations.
Trauma is a complex experience with different types and impacts, requiring safe and supportive relationships for healing.
Distinction between trauma and general suffering is important; empathy and understanding should be shown to all individuals.
Gospel care involves patient knowing, sacrificial service, truthful speaking, and practical application of biblical principles for healing and transformation.
Deep dives
Defining Trauma
Trauma is a deep and complicated mess that can result from acute, chronic, or complex experiences. Acute trauma involves a single traumatic incident, while chronic trauma is the result of multiple and varied traumatic events. Complex trauma, often resulting from child abuse, is interpersonal and occurs over an extended period, shaping a person's identity and impacting their brain and body. The word 'trauma' may not be found in the Bible, but the concept of deep wounds and suffering is present in scriptures. Trauma survivors exhibit incredible courage in sharing their experiences, often carrying shame and self-blame. It is important to create safe and supportive relationships for them to find healing and their own voice.
Understanding Trauma's Impact
Trauma is distinct from general suffering, with not all suffering resulting in trauma. Trauma involves a specific psychological category with long-lasting emotional and mental effects. Suffering can be incredibly challenging but may not meet the diagnostic criteria for trauma. Each person's experience of suffering is unique, shaped by their individual circumstances and context. It is essential to avoid hierarchy or minimizing suffering based on whether it is labeled as trauma or not. People should be met with empathy and understanding, irrespective of the specific label used.
The Transformative Power of Gospel Care
Gospel care, rooted in the transforming power of the gospel, involves loving others by knowing them patiently, serving them sacrificially, speaking truthfully to them, and consistently applying biblical principles to help them become more like Jesus. Gospel care acknowledges that healing and transformation can take time and requires embodying Christ's love and grace in practical ways. The church plays a vital role in providing support and healing to traumatized individuals through trained pastors and compassionate laypeople. Creating safe spaces, building relationships, and engaging in non-verbal expressions, such as art, dance, or music, can facilitate healing and the manifestation of Jesus' love.
Understanding Trauma and the Importance of Listening
The episode emphasizes the importance of understanding trauma beyond the surface level and listening attentively to individuals who have experienced it. The speaker acknowledges that the word 'trauma' alone is not enough to fully comprehend the complexities of individual experiences. Rather, it serves as a starting point for deeper understanding. The speaker encourages a slow, patient approach to listening, allowing individuals to express their feelings and experiences at their own pace. By seeking to understand the person and their unique journey, a deeper level of connection and compassion can be fostered.
Navigating the Scriptures and Providing Comfort in Trauma
The episode delves into the challenge of using scriptures to provide hope and comfort to individuals who have experienced trauma. The speaker highlights that many traumatized people may have had negative experiences with the scriptures, where they were used as a means of silencing and invalidating their experiences. Therefore, it is crucial to approach the topic of scriptures with sensitivity and caution, ensuring that the person feels safe and empowered in their exploration of spirituality. Instead of focusing solely on scripture-based solutions, the speaker encourages starting with non-scriptural experiences of feeling safe and loved, gradually connecting those experiences with the concept of God as a refuge. This approach allows individuals to redefine their understanding of God on their own terms, separate from past negative experiences.
In this episode of The Messy Podcast, Scott Mehl interviews Diane Langberg on how to help the traumatized.
Sponsored by Eternity Bible College: https://www.eternity.edu
Resources:
On the Threshold of Hope: Opening the Door to Healing for Survivors of Sexual Abuse: https://www.amazon.com/Threshold-Hope-Aacc-Counseling-Library/dp/0842343628
Is It Abuse?: A Biblical Guide to Identifying Domestic Abuse and Helping Victims: https://www.amazon.com/s?i=stripbooks&rh=p27%3ADarby+Strickland&s=relevancerank&text=Darby+Strickland&ref=dpbylinesrbook_1
Healing the Wounds of Trauma: https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Wounds-Trauma-Harriet-Hill/dp/194144900X
Counseling Survivors of Sexual Abuse: https://www.amazon.com/Counseling-Survivors-Sexual-Abuse-Library/dp/1591605199
Suffering in the Heart of God: How Trauma Destroys and Christ Restores: https://www.amazon.com/Suffering-Heart-God-Destroys-Restores/dp/1942572026
Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence - from Domestic Abuse to Political Terror: https://www.amazon.com/Trauma-Recovery-Aftermath-Violence-Political/dp/0465087302
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