Healing the Wounds of Trauma and Abuse

The purpose of this article is to bring an understanding of trauma and abuse, of the different types of abuse that may occur, of their prevalence in the world and in the church, and of their effects on a life. It is critical to understand the damage of abuse in order to serve victims well. Failure to know what trauma does to humans and how to respond to victims results in doing further damage to a vulnerable human. We will look at three components of healing that are both basic and easily used across cultures: talking, tears, and time. We will also see that responding to trauma in the lives of others is participation in the life of Christ, who came in part to heal the brokenhearted. KEYWORDS: