I am currently reading this outstanding book that addresses the real consequences of ACEs – Adverse Childhood Experience(s). Childhood Disrupted: How Your Biography Becomes Your Biology, and How You Can Heal by Donna Jackson Nakazawa explores the difficult yet scientifically provable correlation between ACEs and adult onset of several key health maladies. It is sobering to recognize ways my own childhood might be playing a role in autoimmune dysfunction. But scarier for me is the possibility of my children’s current season of crisis creating an unavoidable collision with poor health in their adult years.

I can’t give you the answers that are purportedly shared in the book. I haven’t gotten that far. But what I can say is what I must say regardless of this author’s conclusions, or indeed any author’s conclusion:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
-Proverbs 3:5-8

There is a balancing act in learning about the science behind traumatic events and understanding the supernatural work the Holy Spirit does for those who trust Him. I believe it is our responsibility to search and discover as much as possible of the world entrusted to our stewardship. That includes the biochemistry, neuroscience, and physiology of brain development and the effects of ACEs. But may it never be that amid the studying, I lose sight of a magnificent God who chooses the broken things of this world to fulfil holy purposes.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
-2 Corinthians 4:7-10