Parting the heavens
Spend some time with the words of Psalm 18…
“The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of destruction terrified me…” (v. 5)
Who of us has not been terrified by the suffering itself, yes, but its aftermath as well! Body memory makes us physically recoil when another gets too close. A man’s aftershave can transport us from our 30-something competent self to our extremely afraid 12-year old self. Our being passed over for a promotion or recognition can let loose an avalanche of self-deprecating thoughts and behaviors.
Oh, most of us have learned well how to hide this melt-down. Onlookers will never know, a fact that works its negativity as well — reminding us how alone we are.
But, we are not alone. All heaven turns toward a child’s tear (including inner children!).
Read more of Psalm 18, however. It does not leave us in our terrified state…
“In my distress I called out: Lord! I cried out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry to him reached his ears. The earth rocked and shook; the foundations of the mountains trembled…” (vss 7-8)
Sit with these words. There is so much, including our own thoughts and fears, that try to convince us God does not hear; God does not respond. If we concede to these thoughts and fears, we will never be persistent in our watch for God!
“He parted the heavens and came down…. He reached down from on high and seized me; drew me out of the deep waters.” (vss 10, 17)
When the ravages of PTSD rise up within me, I turn to these words*.
Reflection
What do you experience when you read the words of this Psalm aloud?
Prayer
O God, I am still so resistant! Can mere words help me!? Remind me what force lays behind words that intend to hurt, words that intend to comfort, words that intend to warn. If this is the case coming from a human, what greater force must words that come from You bear?! I want to believe! I want to watch for You. Show me, Lord, how you part the heavens and come down. Amen.
*PTSD can be debilitating. Readers are strongly encouraged to work with professionals to address the physical, psychological, and emotional impacts as well as the spiritual.