Below is a video from the presentation of “Post-Traumatic Stress.” For the various counseling options available from this material visit www.summitrdu.com/counseling.
NOTE: Many people have asked how they can get a copy of the seminar notebook referenced in this verbal presentation. You can request a copy from Summit’s admin over counseling at counseling@summitrdu.com (please note this is an administrative account; no individual or family counsel is provided through e-mail).
“The Anti-Climactic of the Post-Traumatic”
PERSEVERE in the new life and identity to which God has called me.
Trauma: Step Eight, Brad Hambrick from The Sam James Institute on Vimeo.
Memorize: Romans 5:3-5 (ESV), “More than that, we rejoice in our suffering, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through this Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” As you memorize this passage reflect upon these key points:
- “Rejoice” – If you read the passage carefully, you’ll see we rejoice in the fruit of suffering; not the trauma, not the pain.
- “Endurance… character… hope” – In these words you can likely see the journey you have been on in this study.
- “Shame” – God is faithful not only to redeem the suffering but remove the shame associated with suffering.
- “God’s love… poured” – You may fill empty many times on this journey, but remember God’s supply is constant.
- “Holy Spirit” – This seal (2 Cor. 1:22) of God’s permanent covenant cannot be broken, even by the effects of trauma.
Teaching Notes
“[Jesus] shields the sufferer herself so that the wrongdoing can neither penetrate to the core of her identity nor determine her possibilities (p. 118).” Miroslav Volf in The End of Memory
“Relational intimacy is built on emotional connection and risk taking (p. 115).” Steven R. Tracy in Mending the Soul
“The resolution is never complete, it is often sufficient for the survivor to turn her attention from the tasks of recovery to the tasks of ordinary life. The best indices of resolution are the survivor’s restored capacity to take pleasure in her life and to engage fully in relationships with others. She becomes more interested in the present and the future than in the past, more apt to approach the world with praise and awe than with fear (p. 212).” Judith Hermann in Trauma and Recovery
“Therefore, I seek counseling as a concession—not immoral, but tragic. For counseling often provides the kind of community where change can occur, whereas such community was meant to be provided in the context of normal and daily intimate and prophetic conversation that is mutual, equal, and free (p. 38).” Dan Allender in Wounded Heart
“Victims often must experience love before they can embrace love and begin to trust others (p. 197).” Steven R. Tracy in Mending the Soul