We met for POOT: Phasing Out of Trauma last Monday night. After every woman had a chance to share, Kathleen led us in a spiritual practice. I would like to share it with you. May you know how much God sees you, knows you, and is concerned about you.
Spiritual Practice: Lectio Divina
“Why God?” “Why did this happen to me?” “Why didn’t You stop it?” “Do you really care, really see what happened to me?” “Why must I/he/she suffer?”
Amber: Part of my healing was knowing that Jesus was there, in the corner, with tears in his eyes. He was angry at what was happening to me. “El Roi” is “My God who sees.” That brings comfort to my soul. He really cared about what happened to me.
Although we do not know why bad things happen to good people, we do know that God did see what happened to you. He was there. And He was angry at those who caused harm to you and was mourning over what happened to you.
We live in a broken world. Evil exists. We all have free will to make choices.
Sometimes we are affected by another’s harmful, sinful choices. Sometimes we are in the wrong place at the wrong time. We may not fully understand until we are in heaven.
We do not see the big, finished picture. Gazing at the stars at night, we know there is so much beyond our ability to see. Even the highest-powered telescopes or satellites cannot see all the galaxies. Yet God can; our Creator is infinite and all-knowing. Although we cannot see, we can learn to trust and have faith.
Like a puzzle, many pieces connect to create a whole picture. We are all only individual pieces. Although we see other pieces connecting to us, we do not see the finished project. You are valuable, as a missing piece is noticeable. Only the Master sees the whole puzzle.
Learn to hold what is known and what is unknown about God. You are His precious masterpiece puzzle which is slowly being put together. The finished project is breathtaking.
Although we do not know why God didn’t stop your trauma, we do know that He loves us so deeply that nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39). We have experienced this amazing love and healing transformation in our lives. Over time, we know you can have this, too.
Lectio Divina is simply reading scripture out loud, allowing God to speak to our soul. Some people, especially auditory processors, benefit from listening to the scripture. Dr. Christine Paintner (2011) describes in her book Lectio Divina the Sacred Art, four movements in this prayer practice.
The passage is read slowly three times.
Listen for a word or phrase that jumps out at you. She compares this to chewing a piece of food.
Reflect on any images, feelings, or memories that stir inside you. She relates this to savoring the piece of food.
Listen for an invitation from God. Is He asking something of me? This can be compared to digesting the food.
Slow down and be still in God’s presence. This is more about being with God, not doing for God. I think of this as the satisfying feeling and resting after a big Thanksgiving dinner.
Try Lectio Divina with this passage. Follow the steps above. If you are in a group, the leader may choose to read the passage. One woman found it helpful to record herself and then listen to it when she was alone.
The God Who Sees; The God Who Mourns
During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. God heard their groaning, and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them. Exodus 2:23-25 (NIV)
Many years later the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned under their slavery and cried out. Their cries for relief from their hard labor ascended to God:
God listened to their groaning
God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob
God saw what was going with Israel
God was concerned Exodus 2:23-25 (MSG)
The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt, I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers and I am concerned about their suffering.” Exodus 3:7 (NIV)
In your journal, answer the following questions.
➤ What word or phrase jumps out at you?
➤ What does this mean to you?
➤ What are you mourning over?
➤ How does this make you feel that God is concerned about you?
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