Serving the God who Suffers

This spring, the MichianaSDN enjoyed a conference on the topic of "Serving the God Who Suffers: Providing Spiritual Direction in the Context of Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma", led by Dr. Deborah Byler. Drawing upon her extensive study, her book God’s Wounded Servants: Hope for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse, and her many years of ministry experience, Dr. Byler guided participants in exploring ways spiritual directors are uniquely suited to care for those who suffer.

Through lecture, two case studies, and a robust bibliography, she shared gifts spiritual directors can offer, including trust in God's slow healing work, diverse ways of connecting with God in times of struggle, loving kindness, patient presence with those who are hurting, and a deep appreciation for each person's unique path.

Dr. Byler pointed out that hurting directees may hold unexamined beliefs about suffering—as punishment, as redemptive, or as necessary—that constrict their lives. They may also assume that certain parts of their experience should not be brought to God in prayer. Directors can help by encouraging new language for God and new ways of bringing one's whole self—including feelings, bodily tension, exhaustion, anger, and stress—before God in prayer. Praying alongside a directee in a somatic way can be especially powerful.

At one point, participants were invited to draw their dominant feelings and then reflect on them in small groups, introducing pause, reflection, and profound acceptance into the process. Throughout the day, Dr. Byler encouraged directors to gather tools that fit their own approach for accompanying people living with anxiety, depression, and trauma. Doing so empowers directors to remain present with those in pain and to create sessions in which fears, wounds, grief, and even "stuck points" are honored not as obstacles to overcome, but as places of God's presence and invitations to deeper love.