Hope in Hard PlacesIhe Atụ

When Trauma Strikes

Trauma is not exclusive to the battlefield; it can permeate our lives unexpectedly.

The question lingers: can we avoid being traumatized by life's harrowing experiences?

When trauma happens

Father's Day 2021 etched an indelible mark on my life as my husband was hospitalized with a severe COVID-19 infection at our Missouri duty station. What began with an ER visit spiraled into a six-month-long saga.

Fisher House became my refuge for almost five months until my daughter, adjusting her college classes online, joined me. Our sons, 19 and 17, held down the fort in Missouri while our oldest son returned to college.

With my husband’s 20 years in the Army Chaplain Corps, I was privy to mental and spiritual health training. Armed with a psychology degree, our family had tools to manage everyday stress, but facing such trauma was uncharted territory.

God sees your pain

Prayer and writing have been my pillars in times of crisis. From the outset, I sought prayers from our local community and close friends, acknowledging that I couldn't navigate this alone. As the journey unfolded, I extended my plea for prayer online, turning daily posts into a public diary. It wasn't until November 2021, sharing our story with a new acquaintance, that I grasped the severity of our ordeal. Lost in survival mode, I had given little thought to the toll on us all.

My family and I each sought help to process what we lived through. Receiving physical help from our community—meals, house chores, and financial support—proved challenging. Learning to accept help, as I would gladly give others, shifted my perspective. It taught me to constantly look for God's answers to our requests, thanking Him for every positive occurrence before sharing frustrations.

He is there for you

The Bible forewarns of hardships, ensuring God's unwavering presence, even in life's storms. The more I saw God working, the more hope blossomed, reinforcing my faith in His promises.

Adapted from a Planting Roots Article by Michelle Hieb.