Psalms & Laments in Global Healthcare - TRAUMA & RESILIENCE - A Handbook

Laments, Psalms, and Contemplations
for Global Healthcare Workers

There are times when the intensity of human suffering we attend to is heart numbing. There are moments when we understandably fear but need to buckle up and manage a crisis. And, there are soul wrenching decisions we abhor to make. In all of this we wonder...where is God? What on earth is he doing? How do we reach out when what we have to offer is not necessarily "nice." This blog is trying to find a voice, steeped in the tradition of biblical faith.

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You are worth so much!

6/8/2020

You are
- fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)
- like everything he made, in his eyes: VERY GOOD (Gen. 1:31)
- he takes delight in you, and rejoices over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17)
- redeemed by His precious blood (Ephesians 1:7)

You belong to Him.

You are an ambassador of the Kingdom.
You are a beloved servant of the King.
You are an incredible source of hope and encouragement to the people you sacrificially serve.

Among other things, you are also worth it to "put your mask on first" (and all the other gear as far as available), before you attend to those you serve.

As people focused and trained to put the patient first, it is good to consider and remember, who we are, and what this may mean during this pandemic.

In practical terms, it could be helpful to play through potential Covid patient related work scenarios either by ourselves, or best together with colleagues. One example is, what we would do, e.g. when a patient has slipped through the triage line and we wonder, whether he/she has the disease, but we do not have the level of PPE needed, etc.

Witnessing Terror and Finding Refuge

5/8/2020

Witnessing terrifying situations or hearing about them during this pandemic is a real possibility, whether serving globally, or in our home countries. There have certainly been terrifying reports about conditions in hospitals in certain locations or bodies in public places. Terror may not not reach us, but knowing, how we can face terror as those who know God, is very wise.
Psalm 91:4-6 can guide our imagination as we prepare our hearts:

4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

Not fearing terror noticeably is a result of finding refuge and NOT something that just happens naturally to all "true believers," as some well-meaning, but ill-conceived spiritual advice may suggest. Naturally, humans respond to terror with fear, and fear is likely to touch us at times as we walk through the perils of this season. However, as we attend to the mitigating possibilities outlined in verse 4, the "curve of fear" literally will be "flattened," so that we are able to face terror without being overcome.

Notice the imaginative language of gentle touch and physical assurance: Covered by his feathers, under his wings, and the unchangeable goodness of God as protective shield and wall. (Seems like God knows neurobiology..:)

1. Can you try imagine the gentle touch of strong wings (maybe think about eagle's wings) that cover you, provide protection from view, and provide warmth? Try to take your time and notice some details about what it is like to slip into this imagination (contemplation). How does your body now feel as you imagine this?
2. Can you try imagine touching the shield of God's unchanging love and being-for-you, and touching the firmness of the protecting wall? Take strong hold of that shield and feel it firmly in your hand, and touch the wall, feel it's sturdiness and roughness, maybe lean against it, and feel how it holds. Take your time and notice details about sensations in your hands and in your body and soul.
3. And later, when you have just heard or witnessed something terrifying, can you shift away from the images and physical feelings of the situation that draw you in, and refocus your attention on slipping under his wings, and pressing against the protection wall. In real life in the hospital, maybe literally press against a wall with your hand or your body, grounding yourself in the reality that your being is protected and anchored in the one who loves and protects.

Involving body sensations in helping us hold on to spiritual realities is literally a biblical recommendation (verse 4), and practicing taking refuge physically in these eternal realities before the terror of the night or the arrow that flies by day actually hits, is just plane wisdom....flattening the curve...making the impact something we can live with....giving us confidence that we will not...nor...nor...nor (verse 5+6).

Contemplative Mini Breaks

4/29/2020

At times, when there is an onslaught of adverse events and work is demanding time and attention, it is hard to catch a real break. Certainly, in order to be able to serve long-term, REAL breaks are indicated! We are in for a marathon, not a sprint! BUT, in the thick of it, we can still regulate stress levels with Mini Breaks. What does that mean? Neurobiologists tell us that anything we focus on for more than 20 seconds will stay with us and affects how we are feeling. In contemplation people take some time to pay attention to something in nature, an image, a verse, or a characteristic (name) of God.

Prime situations for mini breaks are in between patient encounters, while washing hands for 20+ seconds, after a death, or at any time our bodies give us signals of increased tension. These signals are different for everybody: What are they for you, physically or mentally?

One way you could take a mini break is to sing or hum a song, even if quietly. It could be a short favorite song reminding you of God's love and faithfulness; or something light, fun, and humorous. It could be a short verse you recite or recall; or you can focus on something natural or beautiful around you; try vividly recalling your favorite vacation spot, a fun situation with family or friends; a memorable scene from a favorite sport; or contemplate on a favorite image from the Bible, e.g. the strong tower for refuge, the shelter of his wings around you, soaring on eagle's wings, carried by the good shepherd. Imagine it vividly, with all of your senses. When outside, pay attention for those 20+ seconds on anything calming, beautiful or neutral you can see. When your patient just died, and you can only groan, try making a gesture of handing him over to a loving God and his care, and pay attention to the sense of peace coming over you as you do this. And at any time, breathe deeply and slow down your exhalation. Contemplatives have been masters of breathing, and it certainly shuts down our stress response in just a few deep breaths. A power tool in the thick of it, for sure!

If you would like to share with others, what you find helpful, please feel free to leave a comment.

Frazzled...a Conversation With the Father

4/18/2020

Lord, I am SO FRAZZLED! I have forgotten a few things lately that I normally would NEVER forget. It's been embarrassing on a couple occasions. I would hate to forget things at work and put others at risk. I already double check the tasks. Please, help me, Lord!

F: I understand. A lot has been changing! You are staying home and away from other people to protect others. You need to figure out new routines and find spaces of quiet and rest. Your mind is focused on being faithful to all the safety rules regulations, and you are doing a lot of life online despite power outages. Then there is the flurry of activity developing protocols, etc. So much! I do love it that you take this seriously and make every effort to love and protect the vulnerable around you. I delight in your love and compassion!

Father, wow! You DO understand what's going on in my life. And, you see more good in me than I do right now. Help me to see the good, too. The other day I went to the grocery store to get something really important for work, plus a few other items. Honestly, I came back with only the other things. I forgot the main thing I needed! So annoying and time consuming, and I do not have any time to spare right now. You know, I snapped at somebody after that, forgive me, please!

F: I can see that you are stretched to the limit. Remember, I am with you. You don't need to keep it all under control. I invite you to ask me for help. I LOVE to give you good things! Actually, in the moment, I have more understanding and grace for you than you for yourself.

Hmm! So good to know that you judge me much less than I do myself. Maybe, I put too much pressure on myself. Help me to know your grace for myself more, so I can feel it, too, like in my gut!

F: Remember, there are other people around you, who may love to help. I invite you to ask for help. You can love and honor people by allowing them to help you. It helps them, too! It draws your hearts closer together, which I love to see!

Interesting idea! Helping others by allowing them to help me....I need to ponder that. Not my normal way of thinking. I LOVE to help others. Asking for help is not my M.O. Father. Please, help me! And, I would love closer relationships!

Imagining Resurrection

4/11/2020

During my service in Nepal I worked with people affected by leprosy. A group of them had come to know Jesus as redeemer and Lord. One day a few of them gathered around me and showed me their hands. There were many shortened fingers and paralyzed muscles, making daily activities very hard for them. My heart filled with sorrow about their disabilities and what it meant for their lives. I will never forget how their faces brightened, and they told me: In the new heaven and earth our fingers and hands will be restored, we will feel, touch, will have a strong grasp, and do our daily tasks again. Their imagination was so vivid, and their joy about it infectious. I remember the moment till today. They have taught me that imagining resurrection puts things in a different perspective now. They did not have much earthly treasure. But, they had put all the stock of their faith into the redemption and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This makes me wonder, what it would be like, when we, though rattled by the agony of breathless people, whose breaths and hearts eventually stopped, could for a moment imagine, what it will be like for them on resurrection day: How they breathe their first deep and free breath, in and out, and then again, and again, and their hearts beat, settling into an assured, calm rhythm. Their faces lighting up, their beings erupting in joy, jubilation, and praise. Just like the song below, an imagination of the resurrection of Christ.

When There are No Words

4/10/2020

....then groaning is a completely acceptable way to pray, and in fact may be the only one, when too exhausted.
Simply paying attention to His voice of love is another, in whatever familiar way we can receive it in that moment.

When There are No Words
File Size:	2486 kb
File Type:	mp4

Music and Lament

4/10/2020

Lament psalms in the bible were communal songs.
Bonding together in sorrow, complaint, and petition bring unexpected comfort.
The mere act of breathing deeply, in and out singing, literally calms our nervous systems.

If you like, sing along with Lamentations:

How long? Will You turn Your face away?
How long? Do You hear us when we pray?
On and on, still we walk this pilgrim way - How long?

How long 'til Your children find their rest?
How long 'til You draw them to Your breast?
We go on holding to Your promises - How long?

(Refrain)
'Til You wipe away the tears from ev'ry eye
'Til we see our home descending from the sky
Do we wait in vain?
Jesus, give us hope again!

How long 'til Your word will still the storm?
How long 'til You bare Your mighty arm?
How we groan 'til You snatch us from the thorns - How long?

How long? Sweet the dawn that ends the race.
How long? Weak our hearts but strong our legs.
Looking on - great that cloud of witnesses! How long?

From Lamentations, a digital album released March 1, 2016, words and music by Isaac Wardell
Recommended by Dr. Robert Watson, Alongside

God of the Poor and Needy, a Psalm

4/10/2020

Lord, our God, you are a God of compassion. You care about the poor and needy. Their calls reach your ear and move your heart. We praise and worship you for that, oh God!

Lord, we are grateful that this pandemic initially mostly affected countries with more resources, given those with less means time to prepare. Now we see the increasing spread in these countries. Lord have mercy! Lord, protect, equip, give leaders wisdom, and people the understanding to do, what they can do. Give them discernment to decide, what works best for them. We plead for added remedies for support, treatment, and care! We dread, what we can imagine could happen to the vulnerable and poor. Lord help! Please allow them to obtain needed protective materials, resources for medical care, send helping hands, people, whose heart you move and empower to come to their aid.

Thank you for hearing our cries for mercy, God! Your unfailing love gives us hope . Your presence gives us comfort and peace. Thank you for your unchanging love, whose mysteries we cannot fathom.

Lamenting as Wrestling or War - Dan Allender's gutsy words

4/6/2020

Dan Allender's words on Lament are as refreshing as they are provocative. His words encourage us to dare to wrestle with God, like Jacob at the Jabok. The Latin verb aggredere means "to move close" as well as "to confront." Confronting God? Daring aggression towards God sounds sacrilegious in a way. However, God invites us to come close and reveal what is really in our hearts. Being "nice" is not required. Truthfulness and openness are based in more trust and "moving close" than niceness! We are perfectly okay when we join with the people of faith in the psalms in voicing disappointment, frustration, and anger about a situation to God, and even towards Him. As we dare closeness and bare our raw souls, God looks upon us with compassion and sees our hearts more than our words. Healing comes through our willingness to encounter God in a new way, for him to affect us, and our surrender to him. In Jacob's case, coming close to wrestle with God resulted in a dislocated hip. Whatever dis-location of our hearts and minds we may experience in our own wrestling with God, it will put us in the most fruitful place moving forward.

Let's listen to Dan Allender (Mars Hill Review, 1994):
“To lament—that is to cry out to God with our doubts, our incriminations of him and others, to bring a complaint against him—is the context for surrender. Surrender—the turning of our heart over to him, asking for mercy, and receiving his terms for restoration— is impossible without battle. To put it simply, it is inconceivable to surrender to God unless there is a prior, declared war against him.

Christians often assume our conflict with God was finished when we converted. At that point, we were enemies of God—indeed, we were and it was a great battle. But the battle is not over with conversion. Though it is the decisive victory that assures the outcome of the war, it is hardly the last and final fight.

Sanctification is a lifetime process of surrendering as more and more intense conflicts with God and others expose and dissolve our urgent preoccupation with the self. A lament is the battle cry against God that paradoxically voices a heart of desire and ironic faith in his goodness.” Dan Allender, Mars Hill Review, 1994

Jesus in Gethsemane

4/3/2020

Last year I had the privilege to visit the garden of Gethsemane, which lies in a valley between the Mount of Olives and the city walls of Jerusalem. After dinner, Jesus went to Gethsemane with a few disciples to pray, anticipating the suffering ahead. There, in the shadows of the old olive trees in the cool of the evening, he wrestled with his impending suffering. We see his body sweat in deep distress. We see him vulnerable and in need of his friends. The giver and lover of life faced with suffering and death! Fear arises in his body designed for living, a deep sense of vulnerability, and a need for a reliable band of friends. Seeing him there, sweating, vulnerable and needy, I know that he knows...he knows my fear, my sweat, my vulnerability and need as I get ready to face risk and suffering. His whole humanity pleads with God for the chalice to pass him by. His whole divinity surrenders to love, the love of the Father, and to fulfill the purposes of his loving Father. I sense the enormity of the shift from fear to love. As I look forward with trepidation towards the suffering that is coming our way, I feel known and accepted in my human fear, and invigorated by Christ's choice to love. I notice his determination to get up and face the beginning of his suffering, his resolved and relaxed posture, and I remember that he does not leave me alone in this. His Spirit is in me, giving me hope that everyday I will find strength and resolve to go to work and face what comes with a love far beyond mine.

Contemplation

4/3/2020

Contemplation is not my specialty, but I know something about neuropsychology and also the Bible. When our brains deal with trauma or are just plain overstimulated, it's the emotion brain (limbic system) that runs the show, and our executive brain (frontal lobe) is so-to-speak "off-line." When Jesus walked with his traumatized, grief stricken, and confused disciples to Emmaus, he reasoned some with them, but mostly cared for their bodies and their emotion brain: He walked with them. He talked about familiar bible passages they knew from childhood and which they had probably shared with each other during the three years they spent together. However, even this did not "click" until Jesus broke the bread and shared the wine. They could easily remember the bread and the wine from the precious time they had together during the last supper. It was something they could see, hear, touch, taste, smell and which they associated with Jesus' love and nearness. When he engaged all of their senses they were finally able to recognize him, and enjoyed the heart connection with him again, which they so desperately needed. Our emotion brain can be aroused and also calmed by means of threatening or assuring sensations. In contemplation, we can choose to engage our senses, just as Jesus did with bread and wine, as we consider assuring biblical truths. Combining our senses with reflection, this truth comes to life not only for our understanding, but also for our emotion brain, and can further calm and engage us during emotionally troubled times.

Psalms of Lament in the Bible

4/3/2020

Individual Lament
□ Psalm 3, 5, 6, 7, 13, 17, 22, 25, 26, 28, 31, 35, 38, 39, 42, 43, 51, 54, 55, 56, 57, 59, 61,
63, 64, 69, 71, 73, 77, 86, 88, 102, 109, 130, 142, 143
Communal Lament
□ Psalm 44, 60, 74, 79, 80, 83
(T&RH)

Praying or Writing Your Lament

4/3/2020

A SIMPLE STRUCTURE OF LAMENT

□ Addressing God
□ Presenting the situation, including feelings, and complaints
□ Affirming trust based on past experience with God
□ Presenting petitions, desires, or needs
□ Presenting enemies and the need for justice
□ Expressing expectation that God will hear and act according to his faithfulness and promises
□ Praising God

Laments do not always have all of these elements, e.g. the last three. This simple structure is intended to help you get going, and to hold you as you walk through exploring laments, not to stifle your personal time with God.

The above structure can be found in T&R Handbook.

Lament

4/3/2020

In times of great pain, grief, and sorrow we are tempted to just shut down and withdraw from people as well as God. Though it feels better in the moment, it unfortunately can gradually disconnect us from an important source of our resilience: Our relationships with our community and God. In lament, we are willing to let pain, grief, and other strong feelings enter our hearts with the intent to bring them before God in whatever way we can bring them to him. This can include using words, gestures, groans, tears, outcries, or symbolic acts. We can do this privately or in community. God gladly receives our laments, knowing they are a sign of our trust and willingness to be truly ourselves with Him. He already knows what we feel and what is on our hearts, and He understands it. And, our lament will affect him. He takes it in and responds to us out of his compassion and love.

Our lament may be something like: "Lord, five people died today. We fought so hard, unsuccessfully! Lord, have mercy! My heart aches for them and for their families. Lord, when will this end! I commit them to you and your care. I need your comfort and presence right now. They are my rod and staff in the valley of shadows."

"In lament we acknowledge distress over a painful occurrence and present it to God and the community; both are expected to pay attention, hear, and resonate. As God receives human pain into his heart and processes it in divine ways, he is expected to act according to who he is and to fulfill his promises now and at the end of time." (From T&R Handbook)

Psalm 91 ESV - A Pandemic Psalm

4/2/2020

My Refuge and My Fortress
91 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,my God, in whom I trust.”
3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
8 You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place-- the Most High, who is my refuge --
10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15 When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

Sons of Korah singing Psalm 91