By Tammy King

Trauma informed – ancient or modern wisdom?

We hear a lot about trauma informed thinking and training these days.  For some this seems like some new fangled idea, maybe something they should call woke.  I decided to look up what woke actually means – it is a derogatory term for someone who is alert to, and concerned about social injustice and discrimination.  Initially referring to racial prejudice and discrimination, now expanded to include other social injustices.  I wonder if Paul would have been described as woke when he wrote “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

But I digress. 

For some people attending trauma informed Bible studies or training has made them a safe place, as opposed to somewhere that they have to be prepared to dodge psychological bombs thrown unexpectedly and thoughtlessly.  Being ‘trauma-informed’ means recognizing the pervasiveness of trauma in the world and responding to it with awareness and sensitivity. It involves understanding the personal and societal consequences of trauma.  It is the difference between asking ‘think about the worst thing that has ever happened to you and share it with the group’ and ‘think about a bad thing, or a difficult thing, that has happened to you and share it’

For those who think this talk of trauma is new I refer you to the book of Joel in the Old Testament.  There are no clues as to when it is written.  Could the plague of locusts have triggered a memory of when an army attacked and destroyed the city?  Nothing could escape them, the crops are ruined, joy withers away from the people; fear rises ever faster, thinking processes slow down as the amygdala takes over.  What are they to do?  Joel says, turn and cry to God, gather your family, friends, the congregation, do not face this alone.  The Lord will hear you and ‘will repay you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten’ and you will be able to praise the Lord.

To anyone carrying the invisible wounds of trauma: please do not feel that you have to cope alone. Trauma can leave deep scars, but you deserve the opportunity to heal, to feel safe and to find peace again.  Please do reach out to your GP or another qualified professional for help and support. God does not expect you to work through this alone; He loves you too much for that.