Will Cockram reviews Understanding Trauma by Steve Midgley.
“That was a traumatic experience.” In our culture, that short sentence can be used to describe everything from a stressful commute to work, to the recollections of an adult survivour of child sexual abuse. The former is forgotten quickly and has little lasting impact – the latter, never, and its effects are deep and long-lasting. We all know there’s a chasm between the two.
In this well-titled book, Midgley helps us to better understand the latter – ‘capital T’ Trauma – the kind of exceptional suffering that is outside the range of usual human experience, overwhelms the person in a feeling of helplessness, and has a myriad of long-lasting effects. Note the word “better”. This is not a comprehensive study, nor will it equip you to provide specialist care, but it will help believers to better understand it so as to more effectively walk alongside those who experience it.
Over three sections, Midgley helps us to see Trauma through a Biblical lens. Firstly, he helps us get to grips with what it is, what can cause it (even, sadly, church), and what its general effects can look like. He shows how Jesus shines light into the darkness and offers hope to the hopeless. Secondly, he summarises and critically engages with contemporary thinking, showing how it helps us to better understand Trauma, yet still needs Scripture to keep it from being lop-sided. Thirdly, he shows us how we can start to respond with compassion in our churches.
I particularly appreciated his chapters on how to have these conversations, and the one on the topic of lament – both individually and corporately. If we don’t ever lament together, we functionally exclude those for whom “darkness is their closest friend”. Another reminder for me as a pastor to build this into our church’s corporate rhythms.
I think most Christians would benefit from reading this, particularly those engaged in formal pastoral ministry. It’s worth noting that it won’t be an easy read for those who have experienced Trauma themselves.
UNDERSTANDING TRAUMA: A Biblical Introduction for Church Care
By Dr Steve Midgley
The Good Book Co. 198 pages. £8.49
ISBN 978 1 802 541 373
