Day 13 – The Trauma You Feel
Scripture: Psalm 31:9
“Have mercy on me, Yahweh, for I am in distress. My eye, my soul, and my body waste away with grief.”
Grief doesn’t just live in the heart—it settles in the body. The psalmist cries out that his body is wasting away under the weight of sorrow. And if you’re grieving, you’ve likely felt this too. The exhaustion. The brain fog. The tension that doesn’t release. You might be sleeping too much or not at all. Eating becomes erratic. Aches appear where there were none. These are not signs of weakness—they are signs of survival.
Trauma and loss aren’t just emotional; they are physical. When your world shatters, your nervous system kicks into overdrive, trying to keep you safe. Muscles tense. Breathing shortens. Your body remembers even what your mind tries to forget.
That’s why part of healing is not only tending your soul but also tending your body. You don’t have to do a lot. Just stretch. Breathe. Take a slow walk. Drink water. Eat something good for you, even if it’s small. Rest when you can. Cry when you need to. Let your tears be prayers your body offers on your behalf.
God created your body as part of your whole self. To ignore its needs during grief is to silence a sacred part of your healing. As you care for your body—even in small, gentle ways—you are telling yourself: I matter. I’m still here. Healing is possible.
God does not just see your soul—He sees your weary limbs and tear-stained cheeks. He holds it all with compassion.
Practice for Today:
Place your hands on the part of your body that feels the grief. Breathe gently and speak this aloud: “God, heal me here.”
Journaling Prompt:
Where do I feel grief in my body? How might God’s healing reach that place?
Closing Blessing:
Feel the compassion of God enter
even the fatigue and tension.
Let go of the strain you feel
and allow the Holy Spirit to take its place
Your body is not betraying you—it is telling your story.
Let it be held, healed, and honored.
Pray as You Go
Inhale: You made my body…
Exhale: …Heal it with Your peace.
This one hits home.