Finding Hope in the Midst of Scorched Earth

In Colorado, we have witnessed the devastating effects of wildfires and droughts firsthand. The apocalyptic summer of 2020 left us with streets lit up by smoke-filled skies, ash covering our cars, and forests closed off for our safety. The scorched earth and the ongoing drought have left a lasting impact on our lives and the beauty of our beloved mountains and rivers.

As a Christian counselor, I have come face-to-face with stories of individuals who have experienced significant trauma, akin to the scorching flames ravaging the land. These are the '’Big T’' traumas, violent forces that have decimated their lives and left behind a barren and desolate landscape. The ashes seem to prevent any new growth, creating a sense of hopelessness and despair.

But there is another kind of trauma, one that may be harder to detect and yet just as devastating. It is the drought, the absence of something good that was meant to sustain and nourish our souls. We have all experienced moments where the life-giving water we longed for fell short, where our hearts and spirits felt parched and dry.

The fires and the droughts represent the brokenness and fallenness of our world. They remind us that we do not live in Eden, a place of abundance and flourishing, but in a world marred by suffering and pain. We have all tasted the bitter residue of trauma and the relentless thirst for unfulfilled desires.

What makes it even harder is the isolation that comes with this experience. Others may recognize the scorched earth, the visible wounds and scars, but they often fail to notice the long-term effects of drought. It becomes a lonely journey, where one feels unseen and unheard in their struggle.

Yet, there is hope. It is the hope of restoration that lies at the heart of the Christian faith. Our Creator never intended for us to settle for survival in a barren land. He designed us for lush landscapes of milk and honey, where rivers of living water could refresh our souls.

The restoration process begins with recognizing that our current reality is not where we were meant to be. It is about embracing the truth that we were created for something more, something beyond the confines of our scorched and dry existence. The ReStory process invites us to reimagine our lives according to the goodness and generosity of God.

To embark on this journey, we must first extend compassion and understanding to ourselves and others. We must recognize that every person we encounter is living a story marked by both fire and drought. We must be willing to offer water to their weary souls, to be present and willing to listen.

As we engage in the ReStory process, we discover that restoration is not merely about surviving in our present circumstances but about returning to the landscape our Creator designed for us. It is about reclaiming our identities and embracing the abundant life that God offers.

In this journey, we come to realize that there is hope for change. The story of God encompasses the restoration of the entire world, and that includes each one of us. We can find solace in the fact that restoration is not just an abstract concept but a vivid reality that can transform our lives.

So, let us dare to step out of survival mode and into the embrace of restoration. Let us open our hearts to the water that quenches our deepest thirst and leads us back to who we were truly meant to be. Together, as we re-story our lives, we will find that there is more for us than we have ever imagined.

In this blog post, we explored the profound impact of wildfires and droughts on our lives and the importance of recognizing both the visible and invisible traumas we experience. We discovered the hope of restoration and the invitation to re-story our lives according to God's original design. Through compassion, understanding, and embracing the abundance of life, we can find solace and transformation in the midst of the scorched earth.

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