Seeing Trauma Through the Lens of Faith

The Bible contains many stories of traumatic experiences—death, disease, famine, dysfunctional relationships, war, capture, and betrayal.

What is trauma? Psychological trauma is an emotional response caused by severely distressing events.¹ It’s easy to assume that children of God will never experience traumatic events. Yet the Bible records instances of trauma in every book. But the trauma is not the end of the story for God’s people; there is also redemption. These stories are recorded not only as history but also to strengthen our trust in God as our Redeemer.

Trauma can involve exposure to death, serious injury, sexual violence, or even the threat of these—whether direct, witnessed, learned through loved ones, or retold in painful detail. It may result in brokenness—a state of strong emotional pain that stops someone from living a normal or healthy life.²

Common emotional struggles after trauma include fear, anxiety, isolation