God can comfort us through hard times

"May the God of all comfort, comfort you"

-2 Corinthians 1:3

My cousin likes to send me texts for each holiday celebration. They contain sweet messages with silly emojis of some kind.

July 4, I started to read my usual holiday greeting from her: "Happy Fourth of July to you. For me, not so happy. My family and I were caught up in the shooting at the Highland Park parade, and I've been crying ever since."

For a moment I couldn't believe what she was telling me. After collecting my thoughts I explained I would be available if she needed to talk. But I would pray for all involved.

Have you ever had an unexpected shock or traumatic occurrence happen? It sends your thoughts into a spin and leaves you feeling overwhelmed.

Incidents that horrific could literally leave you with what is known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This is not to be taken lightly. Some people struggle for years to process their way out of it.

Just being exposed to trauma does not necessarily mean we will experience PTSD, but it can when the person is left feeling extreme fear or horror to a level hard to comprehend.

The time it takes for processing though trauma is different for everyone. Don't compare how fast or slow you recover to anyone else's recovery time. Some individuals have been through other traumas and have developed healthier coping skills. Others may have the personality type to handle and overcome stressful events easier than others.

Talking with someone you feel comfortable with about the event can help you work through the experience. My cousin and her family spent time talking with one another to understand how each one felt and interpreted the incident.

You may consider getting help from a medical professional or counselor. Sometimes medication is needed to calm an individual's anxiety. Also asking someone to pray with you or for you can bring healing.

As with any fear or struggle in life, we must remember there is spiritual comfort to be found. Finding your quiet, restful spot to talk with God and share your feelings and experience is an important step to finding your way out.

Allowing your tears to flow can help you to settle your nerves. Crying releases stress hormones that are manufactured by the body during trauma. Jesus cried the night before he was crucified.

Forgiveness may take time, but is part of spiritual healing. Forgiving does not mean you trust someone again or excuse their wrong behavior. It means you release the issue to God to handle. Many have trouble with this when they have been hurt. In this case, ask God to help you forgive and let go of hard feelings. This process may also take time. But when we make that choice we do ourselves a favor with the spiritual/emotional release. (Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13).

PTSD can leave you with chronic anxiety and depression. These are emotions God wants to help you overcome, or at least manage. They are not a sin as some think, but an infirmity or affliction. Jesus came to deliver and heal us from sickness and infirmities. (Surely he bore our infirmities and carried our diseases: Isaiah 53:5,6).

Following some of these recommendations along with regular prayer and comforting Bible verses of God's love and protection can start the process. I have overcome many heart breaking difficulties and received comfort by focusing on verses of God's love and provision, having a good cry, praying often and giving it time.

Give yourself time and patience. Know and accept that your life has been shaped by an experience and you will never be the same. You will never completely forget what happened. But with his help, God can comfort and bring you to a place of peace and renewed strength.

My prayers are with all who are going through any kind of hardship.

• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. She can be contacted at annetteebudzban@aol.com or (847) 543-8413.