The Force of Trauma- Episode 3 (Finale)

Welcome to the last and final episode of our Trauma Bonded series. In the first episode, we talked about Ishmael his trauma bond and what that means for us, and in the last episode we talked about how trauma affected Hagar’s vision and how Jesus gives us tools to get out of temptation! We’ve been on this section of scripture for a while so if you haven’t caught the last two episodes I have them linked in the description of this video and in the cards! 

Let’s talk about what traumatic experiences do to the body. There are a number of issues trauma causes in the body but let’s stick with the fight or flight response. This is the body’s response to a dangerous situation in order to keep itself safe. Trauma increases the heart rate, blood pressure, and senses to prepare to flee from or engage in a fight. 

When people experience trauma, most will tell you “I couldn’t get out of there fast enough!” or will say “I was in the fight of my life!”.  People crave safety and assurance. I dont know about you, but I’m not getting on the line with the sign that says danger ahead and most other sane people won’t either. But as a Christian when you plan on being effective that’s the exact line you’ll find yourself on! Danger ahead! Jesus says this multiple times throughout his ministry and Paul shows us just how true it is as he builds the church.

Jesus told us to pick up our cross and to follow him, but here’s the thing, the cross was used for crucifixion, and when he carried his cross Jesus carried it to where he would take his last breath. So the real question is are you brave enough for the danger ahead line? Are you willing to leave your home and go to a land that God will show you? Will you force praise from your lips to God’s ears even when you can’t find the words? Will you move with urgency and excellence when God gives you the vision? Even if it means you have to carry your own cross?

In Genesis 21:19 the bible says “Then God opened Hagar’s eyes, and she saw a well full of water. She quickly filled her water container and gave the boy a drink.” To break it down, God gave Hagar the vision, she saw the well that was already there, she moved QUICKLY to fill her water container and, then she gave the boy a drink. Let’s be clear Hagar was on her way out too, their supply of water was gone. Moving quickly to the well had to be the last bit of fight Hagar had in her to survive.

Hagar cried out for God’s help before she saw the well and God opened her eyes, but this bible story as written does not work, if she didn’t do her part. What if God opened her eyes and she saw the well but she just sat there, waiting for someone else to fill her container? This story would have a completely different ending. 

The very issue Hagar cried out for God to resolve was already taken care of. God arranged the help before she ever asked. God gave his word to Abraham before Hagar and Ishmael were ever cast into the desert, and the well was dug before Hagar and her son ever had a chance to be thirsty. God opened Hagar’s eyes to what he had already done, and she moved quickly when the vision came! Hagar’s trauma forced her to change her pace.

When you deal with trauma your body goes into “fight or flight mode” This means you’re gonna run or you’re gonna fight, your body only thinks you only have two options. And once God opened her eyes Hagar revealed she was a fighter, do you know what it takes to draw water from a well when you’re body has reached its capacity? When you look at how God structures our calling as opposed to how the world operates you gotta find a little bit of Hagar that lets you draw water when you’re at the end of your rope.

In John 16:33, Jesus says “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Trouble is guaranteed, the desert is guaranteed, for effective Christians, the cross is guaranteed but so is God’s word! Jesus tells us to “be BRAVE, I have overcome the world” No work set before us can be done without Christ. He is the one who strengthens us and makes a way when there seems to be no way. Jesus wouldn’t call you to it if he wasn’t gonna get you through it! 

In the middle of her trauma, the Lord opened Hagar’s eyes, and her response to the vision was to move quickly and with purpose. When God gives the vision we’re supposed to put action behind it! This world is broken and that brokenness comes with pain and trauma, but as Christians, we are not alone, defenseless, or weak. Whatever you’re facing, it has already been conquered He has overcome the world, the fight is rigged! 

Our Strength doesn’t from anything that we do but from Christ and he is an ever-present help! When’s the last time you responded to the vision that God gave you with urgency knowing and believing you that can’t fail? Trauma forces you to change your pace so if you know God is with you and he gave you the vision… what is the force of your trauma? At what speed do you pick up your cross and follow him?

He’s already overcome the world… what are you waiting for?