Trauma and Relief in Psalm 13
“It’s when I’m weary of considerations and life is too much like a pathless wood…” -R. Frost
A friend shared the picture (above) of Andriy Kulik trying to comfort his dog in the wake of bombings in Ukraine. As I reflect on the image, I can hear echoes of Psalm 13, “How long, O God? How long will my enemies remain?”
The dog allegedly will not move because he has been traumatized by bombs, yet just as poignant as the dog’s momentary paralysis is Kulik, the dog’s owner pausing — in the midst of a war — to comfort and steady his companion.
The dog’s longing coupled with Kulik’s embrace is the embodiment of prayer. Like the Psalmist, the canine creature makes a plea for the noise to stop and for the trauma to end. The plea is not in vain. It is met with compassion that is as reliable and steadfast as forces in our own lives that give us calm.
It is true that many people worship and read scripture in pleasant places. However, it is worth noting that much of the wisdom in scripture did not emerge in pleasant places, but times of siege, wilderness and war torn villiages. Yet, perhaps like many in Ukraine, there is a spirit of resolve and humane action that burns in the hearts of those who believe which is why many return to this wisdom time and time again.
In fact, say what we might about prayer. Do we believe in it? Do we not? We may imagine that the creature above does believe, indeed longs for what is good in the world to advocate for humane existence. Maybe that is what prayer is, summoning and embodying the good.
In any case, Kulik is deeply in tune to the roles we play in the life of another. Such attention not only sustains us in the present moment, but moves us beyond the paralyzing effects of trauma toward new possibilities for life. Companionship is key, staying in tune to Advocacy beyond ourselves and leaning on such Advocacy in our own moment of crisis.
But I trust in your unfailing love,
My heart is calmed by it. -Psalm 13:5
