Healing From Trauma as a Christian: Faith and Therapy Together
Framing verse: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)
When Faith and Trauma Collide
You're reading your Bible, trying to believe the promises, trying to pray—but your hands are shaking, your chest feels tight, and your body won’t stop reacting. People say, “Give it to God,” but no one tells you what to do when your nervous system is stuck in fight, flight, or freeze.
For many of us, trauma is not just something we lived through—it’s something we still live with. Sleepless nights. Triggers. Flashbacks. A sense that you’re never truly safe. And when you add spiritual pressure on top—“Just have more faith”—the shame can be paralyzing.
If you’ve ever felt broken beyond repair, this blog is for you. If you’ve ever wondered whether Christians can pursue therapy without compromising their faith, this blog is for you. The short answer? Yes. Because healing from trauma as a Christian doesn’t mean choosing between Jesus and a therapist. It means learning how to invite both grace and grounded care into your journey.
What Trauma Actually Is
Trauma isn’t just about what happened—it’s about how your body and brain experienced it. Two people can live through the same event and walk away with vastly different scars. That’s because trauma is less about the event itself and more about the overwhelm that your system couldn’t process at the time.
According to modern neuroscience, trauma gets stored in the body—not just as a memory, but as an ongoing state of alarm. The Apostle Paul didn’t use words like “amygdala” or “dysregulation,” but he did describe being “burdened beyond strength” and “despairing of life itself” (2 Corinthians 1:8). Trauma is not new. And neither is the need for healing that touches both body and soul.
Can Christians Go to Therapy?
Let’s clear this up: yes. Christians can and often should go to therapy—especially trauma-informed therapy. We are not disembodied spirits. God made us whole persons, with minds, hearts, and nervous systems. Seeking help for trauma is not a lack of faith. It’s an act of stewardship.
God uses many tools for healing. He uses prayer. He uses Scripture. And He also uses skilled people. Exodus 31 describes artisans filled with wisdom and knowledge by the Spirit. Luke was a physician. Paul traveled with ministry teams that included all kinds of roles. Getting help from a trauma-trained counselor or therapist can be one of the most spiritual decisions you ever make.
And for the record: Christian therapy doesn’t mean your therapist has to quote Scripture every 10 minutes. It means they understand your worldview, respect the authority of God’s Word, and integrate evidence-based care with humility before Christ.
Five Anchors for Healing From Trauma as a Christian
There is no one-size-fits-all process, but these five anchors have grounded many in our community:
1. Safety First—And That’s Not Selfish
Before you can dive into spiritual practices or cognitive reframes, your body needs safety. That’s not weakness—it’s biology. Jesus often led with physical care before spiritual instruction (see Mark 5 or John 21). Trauma coaching or therapy often starts with nervous system regulation—not because the gospel isn’t enough, but because your body is part of the healing plan too.
2. Scripture Is Still a Shelter
When trauma hits, even the Bible can feel overwhelming. That’s okay. Start small. One verse. One phrase. “You are with me.” (Psalm 23:4) Let it anchor you, not as a weapon against your symptoms, but as a reminder of God’s unchanging presence. Slowly, gently, the truth begins to land again.
3. Lament Is Not a Lack of Faith
More than one-third of the Psalms are laments. Jesus Himself cried out, “My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46). Trauma often makes us feel abandoned. But Scripture makes room for that ache. You are not faithless for naming your pain. You are following in holy footsteps.
4. The Body Remembers—So Let It Heal
Trauma is stored in the body, so healing must reach the body. This is where somatic tools, grounding exercises, and body-based prayer practices can be life-changing. Breathwork. Gentle movement. Naming sensations. None of these replace the gospel—they open the space for it to settle deeper.
5. You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
Healing is rarely linear, and almost never solo. God built us for community. One safe person. One trauma-informed coach. One trustworthy group. That can make the difference between spiraling alone and slowly rebuilding in love.
Real People. Real Stories.
Anna, a survivor of childhood abuse, spent years wondering why she couldn’t “just get over it.” Her prayer life felt flat. Her body stayed in constant alert mode. After working with a trauma-informed Christian therapist, she said, “I realized God wasn’t waiting for me to be okay—He was already there in my panic.”
Marcus, a military veteran, struggled to sleep, trust others, or feel anything at all. Faith felt distant. But after being introduced to grounding exercises and slowly integrating Scripture back into his routine, he said, “I stopped trying to pray my way out of trauma. I started letting God meet me inside it.”
Jasmine, who lost her husband to suicide, carried grief and shame like a second skin. Through a mix of trauma coaching, journaling through the Psalms, and weekly check-ins with her church mentor, she found words for her sorrow—and slowly, breath for her healing.
How Faith and Therapy Work Together
Here’s what it can look like to integrate faith and trauma care:
Scripture as a Safe Place: Not a weapon. Not a fix-it formula. But a place to return when nothing else makes sense.
Prayer as Presence: Not performance. Not pressure. Just a breath. “Jesus, be near.”
Therapy as Rebuilding: Learning how your body and brain adapted—and how they can unlearn survival mode with safety.
Community as Support: Gentle accountability. Kind witness. Someone who reminds you: “You are not crazy. You are healing.”
You don’t have to choose between your Bible and your therapist. Let both walk with you. That’s not compromise—it’s wisdom. That’s not secular—it’s sacred stewardship of your healing story.
A Simple Starting Point
If you're feeling overwhelmed, begin here:
1. Breathe. Inhale slowly. Exhale longer than you inhale. Repeat three times. Whisper, “You are near.”
2. Anchor. Choose one verse: Psalm 34:18. Psalm 23. Romans 8:38–39. Sit with it. Let it interrupt the noise.
3. Journal. One sentence. “Today I felt…” or “God, I don’t know what to say, but…”
4. Reach out. Find one trauma-informed person to walk with you. You don’t have to do this alone.
You’re Not Too Broken for God
Trauma may have changed how you feel, how you think, how you react. But it has not changed your value. It has not changed God’s nearness. And it has not canceled your future. The cross of Christ speaks directly to trauma: pain does not get the last word. Resurrection does.
At Share The Struggle, we walk with people just like you. We help you hold faith and therapy together. If you’re ready to begin, explore our coaching and course options, including Moving Through Trauma.
A Prayer for the Wounded
Father, You see every scar I try to hide. You know the things I’ve stopped talking about.
Jesus, meet me in the places I feel most broken. Not with shame—but with kindness.
Holy Spirit, I am tired of carrying this alone. Help me breathe. Help me trust. Help me heal.
Lead me to the right people. Teach me to rest. Show me how to feel safe again.
Amen.
