The Ballestero Blog

Catastrophic Bonding

A catastrophe is something everyone wants to avoid. It sounds like the end of the world. For some, it no doubt seemed that way.

What do the following have in common? Most of them have reunions.

1. Holocaust survivors
2. 9-11 survivors and their families
3. Sailors that spent WWII on a the same battleship
4. Plane crash survivors

What they have in common is that their lives were in jeopardy and they survived. They came close to dying but together they survived. The only thing that bonds them together is what they have been through. It is not unusual for them to hold reunions from time to time.

Even High School and College Graduates have reunions and talk about past experiences.

Have you ever heard of the VFW?  They have a meeting hall, a bar, and a club to talk about the days when they were in uniform. They relive the memory. They exchange war stories.

It’s what Psychologists call ‘Catastrophic Bonding.’ The glue that holds them together is the thing they survived together.

1. The Apostle Paul

His brethren abandoned him when he had to go on trial. He then gives God all the credit for helping him survive.

• 2Tim. 4:16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
• 2Tim. 4:17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
• 2Tim. 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Notice:

• All men forsook me
• (But) The Lord stood with me
• (He) Strengthened me
• (He) Delivered me
• The Lord shall deliver me (in the future)
• (He) will preserve me

“To whom be glory for ever and ever”… Paul was bonded to Him.

King David

Psa. 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

David experienced affliction. It didn’t drive him from God it drove him to God. David was bonded to Him too.

My son Martyn II, was a tenderhearted child. From his toddler years on, he wanted to please me. If he heard correction in my voice or saw it in my body language, he would run to me and hug me. He never ran from me. (It’s hard to correct a child that’s loving on you and hold you tight.) Why don’t we do that with God. Run to Him, not from Him.

Sis. Bobbie Shoemake sings a song that still makes me tear up nearly every time I hear it. “I’ve Been Through Enough To Know He’ll Be Enough For Me.”

I’VE BEEN THROUGH ENOUGH” BY JANET PASCHALL

When I first began to walk with the Lord,
I did not really trust Him,
How He longed for me to understand that I could
So thru the valley, He lead me, afraid as I could be,
Until I felt His loving arms, embracing me

I’ve been through enough to know, He’ll be enough for me
He’s come through too many times
That puts my mind at ease, for good
I’ll stake my very life, He’s gonna take care of me,
Cause I’ve been through enough to know, He’ll be enough for me

How could I ever doubt a God whose hands hold the universe,
Why would I ever question His ability,
There’s no place that I can go, where He doesn’t know,
The things that trouble me
He’s always aware of where I am and what I need

I believe Him now, after all these years,
He’s been so faithful He’s proven to be true,
Nevermore will I doubt or question why
Cause I’ve seen them all before and I know what God can do

I’ve been through enough to know, He’ll be enough for me
He’s come through too many times
That puts my mind at ease, for good
I’ll stake my very life He’s gonna take care of me,
Cause I’ve been through enough to know, He’ll be enough for me.

Financial problems? Health issues? Relationship problems? Spiritual warfare? Depression? Heartache? Disappointment? Failure?

Don’t waste your trial. Let your pain and tears draw you closer. Maybe, just maybe, He’s using your catastrophe to draw you closer and bond you securely to Him.