Dealing with trauma can be excruciating. And just as a wounded animal wants to lash out and wound anyone who would try to help, we as humans will also have a tendency to lash out and bring harm when we are hurting.

We will rear back and punch an honest bystander simply because she leans in to take a second look. We will react with violent anger because he offers a gentle hand. We will claw and bite when they surround and hover, only hoping to give a comforting word or a compassionate nod.

The pain we feel can be so deep and seem so lasting that it actually feels unfair to see a world who is unaffected by it.

The agony can be so debilitating that we feel justified in our knee-jerk reactions and spiteful words because after all, they can’t possibly understand all that we’ve endured.

But what does wounding another accomplish? It doesn’t remove the gash. It certainly never heals the scar. It only leaves those in our wake with their own needed recovery.

And the enemy of our soul celebrates the victory of our further demise. The demons that watched our first injury shout with glee as they observe our continual upheaval and destruction of another.

This is his goal. This is his ultimate objective.

Bring annihilation to all, not just one.

And bring it through the hands of the tortured who should rather be seeking to pour the healing balm.

So, recognize his tactics.

Become keenly aware of his ploys.

And vehemently reject his satisfaction.

Through the bleeding, learn to praise the One who gave you breath.

Through the brokenness, seek to pour the oil of mending on those who are the weakest.

Through the injustice, desire to be the wounded healer embracing instead of victimizing.

Work through the muck and mire to find His calm.

Extend your heart with all it’s shattered dreams to find His love.

And as you do, stretch yourself to find someone deeper in the pit than you have fallen and struggle to lift them up and pull them out.

When you do, you’ll find yourself conquering the enemy with your peace.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

2 Corinthians 1:3-6