Help Me
Proof Series- Pastor Mike McClure Jr.
Mark 5:2-3
Practical Step-
Set up space and tell God this is where we will meet DAILY.
What part of your life has been left for dead?
What tombs have you been living in emotionally, mentally, and spiritually?
The text is proof that the same Jesus who brought revival in the tombs, can still do it today.
Your tomb will not be your testimony.
Your past pain will not be your permanent place.
Your trauma will not outtalk your transformation.
-The man wasn’t called unclean, they called him a man with an unclean spirit.
I. The Place of Pain- “He lived in the tombs..”
The tomb wasn’t just where he was- it had become part of who he was becoming.
The Bible shows us a pattern of God delivering people from places, but the places never getting out of them.
Theology of Place: In Scripture, location is never just geography- it’s theology. It lets us know that where you dwell often reflects where you are spiritually.
Dwell- It means where you’ve settled emotionally, mentally, spiritually…
-Headspace
-Heart posture
-Where you faith is parked
Trauma theology- how pain impacts not only our behavior, but our location
Trauma doesn’t just affect what you do- it affects where you do life from.
Move-
A head space move
A heart posture move
A faith park move
Sometimes, a location move
It’s not just who you are, it’s where you do it from.
If you’re not careful you’ll confuse a trauma response with a personality trait.
Trauma Response:
Definition- A behavior or pattern developed as a protective mechanism after a distressing or traumatic experience
Origin- Often rooted in unresolved pair, fear, neglect, or survival needs
Example(s)-
People pleasing to avoid conflict [may stem from childhood emotional neglect]
Hyper-independence due to being let down repeatedly
Emotional shutdown when feeling overwhelmed
Temporary or Changeable- Yes- with healing, therapy, or self-awareness, trauma responses can shift.
Personality Trait:
Definition- A relatively stable characteristic of how someone thinks, feels, and behaves -part of their natural disposition. It is a God-given characteristic that make up our unique design
Origin- Influences by genetics, environment, and long-term patterns
Example(s)-
Naturally introverted or extroverted
Enjoys structure and routine
Analytical or imaginative
Temporary or Changeable- More stable over time, but traits can evolve subtly with life experiences
Did I develop this behavior to feel safe or accepted or is it just how I’ve always been?
It’s a character trait when I’m even like this in safe environments.
Biblical Analysis-
The man in the tombs wasn’t just demon-possessed, he was displaced.
His location enhanced his sickness.
Demons often take residence in places that trauma left the door open.
Revival isn’t just about what God takes out of you, it’s also about what He brings you out of. - A Word.
When pain is not processed, it becomes a permanent address.
The man normalized a graveyard, just like we normalize toxic cycles, emotional numbness, and spiritual apathy.
Some of us have adjusted to dysfunction because we’ve lost the energy to expect freedom.
This is where Jesus steps in- not to judge, but to resurrect expectation.
There’s a difference between Biblical expectation and everyday [natural] expectation.
The difference is between standing on a promise vs waiting on a possibility.
Expectation [natural/human]- The belief that something might happen based on circumstances, patterns, or desires
Biblical Expectation [Spiritual/Kingdom]- The confident anticipation of God’s faithfulness- not based on evidence I can see, but on the Word God has spoken
It is rooted in faith, not just facts.
It is anchored in promise, not preference.
It is fueled by hope, not hype.
Natural expectation is reactional vs. Biblical expectation that is RELATIONAL-I have a relationship with Him.
Natural expectation response to what you’ve observed.
Biblical expectation is relational-it flows from who you know God to be.