Why the Juniper Tree?
Elijah's Trauma Highlights the Trauma of Us All!
When I decided to write about how God responds to us in our trauma, I immediately thought of the Old Testament Prophet Elijah sitting under the Juniper Tree. This story can be found in the Bible in I Kings 19. For many, this image is a picture of a defeated servant who has lost sight of the God he serves. For them, the juniper tree signifies failure and defeat and as such should not be celebrated. I disagree with that assessment. Certainly, the juniper tree was not a fun place for Elijah, but it was not a place of failure. In fact, in a way, it was his finest hour! Why? Because it was there he grappled with his human weakness and found the strength of God!
God has blessed me with the opportunity to serve as a pastor, Army Chaplain, First Responder Chaplain, husband, father, and grandfather. In these roles, I find that trauma is an ever existent obstacle. It got me thinking, “What if there was a place we could run to for relief from the pain we bear? A place where God could comfort us and guide in our grief?” That place is what I hope the Juniper Tree will become. A place where, like for Elijah, “God and trauma meet.” The goal of “The Juniper Tree” is to tackle the subject of trauma as it relates to the soul. I want to draw from my experiences and expertise to help mitigate the effects of trauma faced by pastors, service members, first responders, and all of humanity.
Ministry Stress
Above all, Elijah was a man of God. He served Israel as the messenger of Yahweh. If his trauma landed him under the juniper tree, what makes today’s minister any different? As a pastor myself, I find that we are among the least equipped to handle the trauma that our calling brings. So many, out of good intentions, neglect their own personal and spiritual well being to care for the flock. I have heard some brag, “I never take a day off,” like it is a good thing. Compassion fatigue has caused many pastors to quit. All too often, failing health limits a pastor’s effectiveness or moral failure destroys his influence completely. I hope the topics I write about will encourage and strengthen ministers of the Gospel! We need you at your best!
Military Service
The national average for veteran suicides has been determined to be 22 per day! That is 22 too many! Service members are asked to work long hours in adverse circumstances to defend our nation’s freedom. On top of the isolation away from home, many have seen and done the unthinkable in order to accomplish the mission. Once home, the real battle beings. Many grapple with physical issues and emotional struggles, including PTSD. Elijah understood such trauma. We find him at the juniper tree soon after he oversaw and participated in the execution of the false prophets of Baal! The horrific scene of death and destruction most certainly left its mark upon his soul. Many of the articles here will be about topics geared to military service related challenges.
First Responders
Elijah also played a role as a civil servant. He was, though hated and ignored, an official advisor to Ahab, the King of Israel. He worked tirelessly to try to make his community a better place in the midst of turmoil, hardship, and confusion. The first responders of our communities do the same. They come when called, forsaking personal comfort and safety, just to make the world a better place. Many have that “call they cannot shake” haunting them at all hours of the day and night. Critical incident stress management is an important topic these men and women need access to. Here at the Juniper Tree I will touch on these issues.
The Human Condition
At the end of the day, pastors, military personnel, and first responders are just like Elijah and the rest of us… HUMAN. (James 5:17). Elijah may have lived thousands of years ago, but we are not much different from him. Our modern culture gives us the illusion of being a superior people, but despite all of the technological advancements and “civilized order,” we are all still the same underneath the layers we choose to hide in. In fact, this modern world creates unique pressures Elijah knew nothing about. The need for a place like The Juniper Tree is even more evident for today! Trauma affects us all! I hope everyone can find relief at The Juniper Tree!
The juniper tree that Elijah sat under symbolizes a spiritual place deep within our souls. That place where we hide and stuff all of the pain, sadness, fear, insecurities, anger, and such like that this broken world creates within us. Like a pressure cooker, the pressure builds and builds until at the most inopportune moment it bursts leaving us broken and undone. What if we could release the pressure gradually, in a controlled way, that doesn’t cause a catastrophe? That is what I want to explore with you! I hope we meet again at the Juniper Tree!
Well said!