At the end of my third month of vocational ministry 9.11.01 happened. Going into ministry I did not realize that a bulk of my ministry would be when the nation was at war. Living in New York State at that time opened doors to help that other parts of the country did not have. The trauma that day created was palpable. At the time the college in town was primarily populated from people from NYC. This left an impact more significant than most parts of the country.

On 9.12.01 I was scheduled to be at a meeting to discuss the problem of students and cell phone usage. It was just starting to become a problem and the days of T9 texting was the thing. Obviously the meeting was canceled. Given the hope and connection that cellphones brought, it was never rescheduled. The problem of cellphone usage by students was insignificant compared to the ability to connect with a loved one in an emergency.

My first experiences sitting with people struggling with PTSD started that month. My first time was listening to a policeman who volunteered in NYC describing the scene. The trauma was so great that some working ground zero committed suicide onsite. Learning to listen and be there for those processing trauma continued throughout my ministry. Our country was largely anesthetized from the traumas of war, but not for those who served. The pathetic withdrawal from Afghanistan by our current administration tore open afresh those wounds.

One of my amazing sisters did an internship with her fiancé in a sleeper town north of NYC. The widow she stayed with lost her husband tragically when younger and had to raise the family on her own. You wouldn’t know this widow, but you’re aware of her son-in-law as he said on the cell phone “Let’s roll.” Processing tragedy is hard, but often it helps equip us to help others. This widow knew exactly what her daughter, now a widow herself, would have to go through. Mom was equipped to help her hero daughter.

Why write this now? This Sunday I am preaching out of James 1, talking about the joy in trials. How one can find joy in the midst of 9.11.01 seems unfathomable. Here are joys in the midst of trials:

1. Soul strength is more important than mental health, and that is not to say mental health is unimportant. The ability to engage with your responsibilities well amongst tragedy happening around you gives you deep satisfaction. You wish the trial on no one, but there is a gladness of being able to face and withstand the trial.
2. The peace that surpasses all understanding is found in the storm, not outside of it. It is a surreal to experience God’s presence when and where he seems most absent.
3. There is joy to be with those who are hurting. To show love, mercy, and patience to those whose worlds are crushed. To just listen. These moments deepen bonds of friendship and neighborliness. While you do not want to go through it, the trial also trains you how to give grace.
4. Trials give you reality over perception. You do not give any emotional energy than a situation deserves. When people fret over little things it is likely a sign they did not suffer big things. If the matter is not going to be processed at a funeral, don’t sweat it. The joy in clarity that trials bring is called wisdom.
5. Trials embolden the hope of heaven. It wakes you up from apathy to being focused on the mission God give you. Let’s get to it. The pain is temporary. Heaven is forever. Trials are opportunities for us to fight for home, and this isn’t home.

But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. ~Hebrews 11:16 ESV