“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18)

As a child, I was often told not to “cause unhappiness.” So I learned that my sadness, grief, and anger weren’t things others wanted to deal with. And if telling my story involved feelings of shame or guilt in my little-kid-heart, I definitely wasn’t going to risk talking about them.

The Bible’s promise, though, is that God will always listen to us, even when others don’t want to listen. We don’t need to worry about being eloquent, or tactful, or generous to the people who hurt us. God recognizes the importance of our truth.

For survivors, learning to share their stories is critically important to healing. When survivors tell their story—to God or to others—they resist the pull of shame (which tells them, “Keep quiet! No one wants to hear that! They’ll judge you!”). Storytelling also helps survivors start identifying the confusing emotions involved with traumatic experiences. Did those moments make them feel afraid or sad? Were they angry with themselves, or with someone else?

If a survivor shares any part of their story with you, take a moment to appreciate the weight of that. Maybe they’re courageously practicing their storytelling; be humbled and honored that they felt safe with you. Or maybe you’re being called to bear witness to their strength. Either way, we pray that you hear their truth with as much patience and compassion as the Lord hears yours.