I believe that all people, within their existential experience, will at one time or another struggle with how to move forward. We will experience various events and traumas during life that have the capacity to paralyze us both emotionally and spiritually. This can be due to general events such as employment issues, sickness, the loss of a loved one, or deeper, more hurtful occurrences, such as interpersonal failures, such as betrayal, abandonment, or abuse. Scientific studies have proven that when these life experiences are not managed properly, they can lead to depression, anxiety, isolation, suicide, and many other negative behaviors. The reality is that many people fail to have the capacity to keep things moving in their lives because they either don’t have the right emotional and spiritual tools or they don’t know how to properly utilize them during these times of trauma. I use the word trauma because it is an existential reality that we often don’t recognize in our human experience. Trauma is defined as “a deeply distressing or disturbing experience, emotional shock following a stressful event that can lead to neurosis.” Neurosis is defined as “a mental condition that is not caused by organic disease but via symptoms of stress, depression, anxiety, obsessive behavior, and hypochondria.”Many times, we fail to move forward because we don’t recognize that a life event or series of events has placed us in a state of trauma. We can’t move forward if something has us stuck in a state of emotional or spiritual paralysis.
This is the central theme and theology of Psalm 73. Asaph, who had seen himself faithful to God, noticed how the unrighteous were seemingly prospering and getting away with their unjust living and deeds. This perplexed his faith and troubled his mental and spiritual state. Asaph mentions in verse two that he almost slipped due to his observations. If we are transparent, we have shared this experience with Asaph. We have pondered how the unrighteous and those who antagonize us seem to prosper and go unpunished, yet we find ourselves in a state of struggle. I will admit in my own journey of theobio-praxis, this has left me traumatized—the experience of enemy attack, slander, abandonment, and false accusations. However, Asaph gives us a simple remedy for how to keep it moving forward in our lives.
- Asaph teaches us to be cautious of giving our flesh dominion. He was attempting to rationalize within his mind and heart how to approach his trauma. He turned to his flesh rather than turning to God. The flesh doesn’t have the emotional and spiritual capacity to fully grasp the totality of God’s Providence in our lives. We are simply challenged to TRUST Him and His Providence in our lives. Providence is defined as the Hand of God upon our lives that directs, orchestrates, and has authority over all matters.
- Acknowledge God as the strength of our hearts. The reality is that life is overwhelming at times for all of us. This is a fact. There are times that we don’t have the capacity or strength to move forward on our own strength. However, through faith, prayer, and the word of God, we can turn to Him and seek strength for our journey. People will eradicate our strength and break us down. Asaph was broken. You have been broken. I have experienced a season of being totally broken down by individuals who I felt were assigned to and covenanted with me to build me up. However, during their failures, betrayals, and abandonments, I found refuge and healing in God’s strength.
These two simple steps will help us keep it moving in our lives. We must be aware that trauma will always comeinto our lives. It is unavoidable. However, we do have the ability to be prepared and equipped for when life trauma arises in our lives. Thus, as we enter a new year, let’s leave the trauma of 2025 behind us and give dominion over our lives to the providence and strength of God.
