Psalm 23 Day Seven: Safe
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies." Psalm 23:5
Day 7: Safe
Welcome to Day 7. Over the last few days we have explored some of our deepest needs: the need to know we are not alone, the need for rest, the need for guidance and the need for a Shepherd attentive to our pain. Today’s verse brings us to another profound truth in trauma healing: our nervous systems need spaces of safety.
The scenario that our Psalmist sets up here is strange.
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”
Why would he do that?
Why are we eating with our enemy visibly spying on us?
It does seem strange but the implications of this verse in relation to trauma healing is profound.
Even before safety can be fully guaranteed, there can be a space where you are able to rest and digest.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”
For many of us, when we have experienced a damaging traumatic situation or a series of smaller but consistent traumas, our nervous systems move into a state of high alert always on guard for the next possible threat or danger.
For those who have experienced the trauma of betrayal, this is often their reality – they sit down and eat with the very person that destroyed that sense of safety.
Like a well-trained body guard part of our system scans our environment asking, “Am I safe here?” For many people that guard will sound the alarm at the slightest provocation, trying desperately to shield you from the least possible threat. Often our logical brain doesn’t even have a chance to fully process what is happening before the guard sounds the alarm, and activates our systems. Anyone who has had a panic attack knows the scarring effects of this. It can produce a rebound effect where you then are afraid of having another panic attack because they are so shocking to your entire system.
This verse, “you prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” profoundly addresses a core healing need of trauma: that even before safety can be 100% guaranteed, there is a space where you can rest and digest.
In a world where there are threats everywhere, having a space where you can be experience safety is crucial.
Our homes traditionally were meant to be a place of refuge. With the presence of social media, our home sometimes no longer feel safe.
When I was a kid, if someone was bullying me, at the end of the day, I got on the bus and would be escorted away from the harassment. Or, when I was at home, they could come to my home but they wouldn’t be allowed past the front door.
With the presence of smart phones we have done away with that protective buffer. An entire generation is taking the personal attacks, the threats of safety and the fear inducing endless news cycles into what used to be our safest of places – our bedrooms where we shut the door and could rest from the barrage of the world.
Today’s verse reminds of a profound truth, the things that threaten us may always be present, but you can find a place where you can feed yourself and rest in the centre of that.
You don’t have to wait for everything and everyone to be at peace to find that inner peace.
It is one of the many offerings of the shepherd. He will guard the perimeters but it’s up to you to make choices about what we allow in our inner spaces. Part of healing is also to progressively teach our nervous systems that not every space is dangerous.
Trauma researcher Stephen Porges, founder of Polyvagal Theorty states, “Safety is the treatment.”
You don't have to wait for everything and everyone to be at peace to find a inner peace.
For those experiencing the overwhelmed or overactive nervous system, I recommend building themselves “a nest.” A space in their world where the phone, the news, social media are not allowed.
A place where we can shut out threat and let our guard rest.
A space of nervous system healing where we give strong cues that we are not under attack. That space needs to have within reach whatever you find brings a moment of peace, joy or love: a good book, scented lotion or essential oils we can massage into our hands and feet, cozy blankets, pictures of places where we found restoration, an old phone or music device disconnected from anything about music that speaks peace to your nervous system. (See my more detailed explanation in Ps. 84)
A corner of safety in a world of threat.
Isn’t it beautiful that God knew you needed that long before you did. He doesn’t promise that you will never have struggle – in fact just the opposite. Jesus knew the world was a hard place and stated “In this world you WILL have trouble.” Not maybe you might. Not ‘if you are not born into a dysfunctional family.’ Not ‘if you make wrong choices.” No. Trouble visits everyone. But he promises “But take heart, I have overcome the world.”
You walk with a shepherd who is aware of the endless threat and knows you need a place of peace. Can you take steps today to step towards that peace? Can you take some of what he has provided and make a space for yourself where you are able to suggest to your inner guard it can finally take a break.
You must actively cultivate a corner of safety in a world of threat.
- What are the current “enemies” in your world? What are the things that keep you on edge or living under threat?
- Can you picture a strong guard protecting you from that? Where is a place where you are able to find peace?
- What is that guarding part of you afraid would happen if it didn’t stay on high alert? What does it need to surrender to or acknowledge?
- How can you create a space where you are able to retreat and rest, furnished with cozy blankets, soothing music, good tastes and smells or anything that you know settles your nervous system? Spend some time today intentionally doing that today.
Prayer:
Dear Lord,Thank you for your deep insight into our human need of a place of safety.
Show me how we can stop living under continual threat.
Teach me how to rest under your watchful eye.
Calm and heal my body.
Amen
