3. Be eager for grace
One of the precious results of actively involving those who have faced trauma is the way it helps remind us of who we are. Dividing the church into two groups, one labeled “sorted helpers” and the other labeled “troubled and needy,” promotes a misperception. A church only has one group—and that is the group which is labeled “troubled and needy.” We are all sinners in need of a Savior and imperfect people slowly growing in godliness. We haven’t arrived.
In his letters, the Apostle Paul was constantly reminding others about his struggles and his needs. He speaks of his fear and trembling (1 Corinthians 2:3) and about being the worst of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15-16), and he even boasts about his weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). A church community that knows its need will be a church community that communicates grace. It will be honest about its failings, generous in its forgiveness, and wonderfully welcoming to strangers and strugglers. When we notice, and involve, those in our church family whose lives have been impacted by severe suffering, we will see more grace. And the world around us will see that too.
