DEALING WITH PAST HORRORS & TRAUMAS – DEVOTIONAL
Howdy Friends! Grandpop sat with the boy under the tall oak. A little more chilly than Grandpop would like, but the view here offered soothing. A much needed soothing for the lad.
“Well, by golly, have you ever seen a better, more beautiful sunrise?” Grandpop didn’t expect a response. And got none.
“If God had ever made a more spectacular sunrise, why I reckon He kept it for himself.” Grandpop went on. A glance to the boy showed no interest. “ ‘cause I sure never saw it!”
It had been a rough night, and even tougher morning for the boy. He’d come a long way since those terrible times. But every now and then a reminder slipped in and brought with it memories, fears and tears to the lad. Grandpop knew it all too well. He carried barrels of his own terrible memories, experiences, sights and moments home with him from the war.
“Son, let’s wander over yonder to the barn and warm up a bit. And while we’re at it, boil us a pot of fresh coffee.” Grandpop took hold of the boy’s jacket, pulled him to his feet and guided him along the path to the barn, between sleepily grazing horses.
Inside he positioned the boy on a long ago worn out couch in the tack room. He called out, “One, two, three,” as he measured the scoops of coffee grounds. “A little water, turn on the stove, and ‘presto’ in about 5 minutes we’ll be sippin’ on the finest.”
Nothing brought a smile to the boy’s face. “How do you deal with the crap of remembering?” The boy whimpered.
Grandpop made a big deal about plopping down beside him on the couch. “There’s the deal, son.” He started. “Yer always gonna remember.”
“I don’t want to!” The screamed and jumped up.
“Huh, well I don’t either. But it don’t work that way. Every day ya go along and things is fine, yer doin’ a little of this and a little of that just livin’ high off the hog.” Grandpop stopped, motioned for the boy to sit. “Then somethin’ outa the blue fires up some lousy trigger and yer right in the mix of them terrible remembrances. Believe me, I know just how lousy that is.”
“What do you do?” Sobs and bitterness broke the boy’s voice.”
Grandpop gave the boy a loving look. “Son, a lot of folks deal with what I call baggage. Past horrors and trauma, but those things, while indeed a part of us, need not shackle us. Stuff ‘em in their own little compartment off to the back, don’t give ‘em no leverage over ya. In fact God tells us to use our trials to become better servants. And we should work like the dickens to, with great anticipation, ambition and joy, greet each day with an open heart and a smile.”
“I can’t!” The boy jumped up again.
“Aw, heck, I didn’t pretend ta say it’s easy, ‘cause it ain’t. But we can’t let them remembrances ruin our lives. Stick ’em in a hole and every time they raise up, whack ‘em down. See ‘em for what they are, dirty rotten thieves!” Grandpop went to the stove. “And most important, remember this bible verse, “ ‘The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.’ Memorize that, and every time ya get down go ahead and shout it out! I promise the Lord’ll hear ya! Don’t let the past ruin yer future. God’s got things fer each of us ta do, so we gotta stay at it…. Looks like the coffee’s ready, get over here and get some. And one of these doughnuts too.”
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Bible Verse – Psalm 30:5 – “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
Bible Verse – Psalm 147:3 – “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Bible Verse – Psalms 119:71 – “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.”
Bible Verse – Isaiah 43:18-19 – “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Bible Verse – Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Bible Verse – Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Bible Verse – Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Bible Verse – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.”
Bible Verse – Philippians 3:13-14 – “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
And for me, this Bible verse heals me the most – Genesis 50:18-20 –18 His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
