Trauma

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What It Feels Like:

Trauma can feel like an enormous weight that you carry every single day. Some people experience flashbacks, nightmares, or intense emotional reactions. Others feel numb, disconnected, or like they're constantly on edge, waiting for something bad to happen. Trauma can affect your relationships, sleep, appetite, and ability to trust others. Even years after something happened, it might feel like your body still hasn’t let go of the fear or pain.

 

Psychologically Speaking:

Trauma is the result of experiencing or witnessing something deeply distressing. This can be things like abuse, violence, betrayal, neglect, or a serious accident. It changes how your brain processes danger, often making your nervous system stay in “survival mode” long after the event has passed. This can lead to PTSD or other trauma-related disorders. The brain gets stuck in a cycle of hypervigilance, emotional dysregulation, or dissociation, which can be so hard to break away from.

 

Christian Perspective:

Throughout Scripture, we see plenty of people who have endured immense trauma. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, David was hunted by Saul, the disciples witnessing the crucifixion of their Savior. All of these things could lead to issues that are hard to handle on your own. It is so important to remember that trauma is not a sign that God has abandoned you. In fact, Scripture says the opposite: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3). God is not surprised by your pain, and He is not impatient with your healing. He understands what it means to suffer. Jesus Himself was “a man of sorrows.” God has not and never will shame you for your story. He sits with you in it, always looking for ways to redeem it.

 

Healing From Trauma? Try This:

Start by telling the truth about what happened, even if it’s just to yourself or to a journal. Trauma thrives when you try to keep it to yourself. Therapy approaches like trauma-focused CBT, Trauma-Focused ACT, and Cognitive Processing Therapy,  can help your body and brain process what happened and begin to release it and heal from it. From a faith-based lens, pair your healing work with spiritual practices like lamenting your trauma or how you truly feel in front of the Lord, journaling, or praying through your pain. Surround yourself with safe, loving people. It is always so important to remember that healing isn't overnight; it takes time and that’s okay. God has always been patient, and His love does not rush you. The more you learn to feel safe in your body and connected to the present, the more freedom you will find.

 

Final Thoughts:

Please don’t allow your Trauma to have the final word over your life. While trauma does often severely impact the lives of those living with it, healing through the Lord is also very real. God can make the worst of things into the greatest of triumphs and it happens many times through the Bible. You are still here, and that means God is still working on you. One day your story could go on to impact many people. Or maybe even by just beginning the process of healing you can encourage others to seek the same. You don’t have to pretend you’re fine or force a smile for the sake of appearances. You are allowed to grieve and God asks us many times to bring it to Him. Through the Lord we will always have hope, even if it doesn't always feel that way. Keep fighting. God is with you.