Comforting Bible Verses When Healing From Trauma

Healing is possible in Christ Jesus after a traumatic event.

I dare not approach this article with a “quick fix to heal” proposal, or a guaranteed “5-step program to wholeness.”

Nor do I come with a flippant attitude or posture of shallow disrespect.

Quite the opposite…

I come in humility, with compassion and empathy.

I’ve endured the brokenness and heartbreak that accompanies trauma, and I’ve experienced the devastating scars from posttraumatic stress syndrome (PTSD).

More than once…

I well remember the stench of despair from the slimy pit where I once resided and the hopelessness and helplessness that filled my anxious heart.

I also have a testimony of healing and can testify to the firsthand experience of being made whole after traumatic experiences that have wreaked havoc on my life.

The wake of destruction from trauma is devastating and cannot be overlooked or minimized, but there is hope for healing.

Let me say that again, and this time, allow these words to take root in your mind and dare to believe them:

There is hope.

Real, authentic hope.

Restoration and peace are possible.

Authentic, inner peace…

Don’t listen to the filthy lies of Satan who wants to keep you in spiritual bondage.

He’ll tempt you to believe all manner of disgusting lies, including:

Spiritual healing isn’t possible
You’ve been too damaged for too long…
You’ve been down this road before, don’t get your hopes up… you’re doomed to stay broken forever
You lack the strong faith required for healing
The bad things that happened are because you deserved it
Accept that you will have to live with fear, anxiety, and insecurity for the rest of your life
There’s no lasting healing from the tough times you endured and your resulting symptoms of PTSD
You have a curse over you, and times of trouble will never end.

Recognize any of the above haunting and taunting lies?

I bring you good news today…

Genuine healing and wholeness are possible in the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ – the God of all comfort.

I know it can be tempting to run (not walk) to the closest exit when someone touches a nerve resulting from trauma that you’d rather not feel.

If my words are resonating with you, I encourage you to press on and keep reading.

I don’t believe in coincidences, and that includes you coming across this article!

Trusting the Lord after trauma

There are countless causes of physical and emotional trauma in our broken world.

The National Institute of Mental Health defines a traumatic event as, “a shocking, scary, or dangerous experience that can effect someone emotionally and physically.”

The NIH goes on to list these examples of trauma:

Natural disasters (such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods)
Acts of violence (assault, abuse, terror attacks, and mass shootings
Car accidents, other accidents

I have a few more causes to add to their list:

The loss of a loved one
The loss of or impaired body function – or health
Betrayal, abandonment, or being the victim of a crime

It’s not uncommon for victims of trauma to have trust issues – with other people, and even with the Lord!

You may have doubts and apprehensions.

In our weariness and the depths of our burdens, Jesus calls out to us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Mt. 11:28).

Jesus’ invitation for us to come is tied to a promise.

Rest.

Jesus continues in his invitation with details regarding what we can expect from Him after we come, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Mt. 11:29).

Rest for your soul.

Almost seems too good to be true for a person wounded by trauma who has been in a stressed state for so long they may have forgotten rest even exists, let alone experienced!

Take note of the three verbs Jesus used as he addressed the weary and burdened:

Come to me

Take my yoke upon you

Learn from me

Simple commands to understand, yet not always easy to implement for the traumatized individual.

The steps require faith.

Remember what the Bible says about the amount of faith required – as small as a mustard seed.

We just need to come to Him and take Him at His Word.

HE IS the Healer.

In pursuit of healing, we meet the Healer.

Healing is found in HIM.

Jesus Christ is the One who heals

Ever hear the phrase, “Time heals all wounds?”

I don’t know who’s responsible for this quote to give him or her credit for it, but I respectfully disagree

The mere passage of time will not heal your heart.

Time may allow:

A scar to form over the wound
Distance allows you to detach
Unhealthy coping mechanisms to be created

Our culture would have you believe that healing can be found elsewhere, and maybe you’ve tried some of them, but the relief experienced from them will not last:

Denial
Distraction. Busy yourself in business, move away, cut people out of your life – whatever you have to do to NOT deal with the root issue…
Substance abuse
Suck it up! Rely on your own strength and just deal with the fact that hard times are experienced by everyone!
Seek revenge and get even with anyone who had anything to do with the terrible things that happened.

Jesus can heal your heart and renew your mind in such a way as to bring authentic and lasting healing.

There are some things only God can do; healing a broken heart is one of them.

Comfort and peace from the Holy Spirit

Jesus alone has the authority to define your identity and worth!

Your past does not get to define you.

Your trauma does not get to define you.

Your worth is not determined by anything that someone did to you.

You are not a victim for life, chained to your trauma.

Check out the YouTube video below making these exact points:

Be careful that you do not adopt your trauma, your past, or any sinful thing to define who you are… they cannot become your identity!

You must get into the Word of God not only to allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you to bring comfort and peace, but also so you can allow it to renew your mind to ensure a stronghold does not grab a hold on you as a result of your trauma.

Common strongholds after trauma could include:

God is not worthy of my trust
I am not worthy of love
I am stupid, worthless, and/or ugly
Insecurity
Fear
Anxiety

You do not have to live in a place of spiritual captivity as a result from your trauma!

Living in spiritual bondage does NOT have to be a direct result of trauma for a child of God.

This is not to minimize for one second that consequences from trauma are real, and may persist… some consequences may never go away entirely.

When it comes to our spiritual freedom, however, we are guaranteed this in Jesus name – every single time.

Satan will tempt you to accept that you will be His victim forever, but that is a lie.

Satan can’t hold a child of God spiritually captive.

The living, active Word of God can renew our minds, bring peace to our hearts, and transform our lives.

As we read the Word of God, the Holy Spirit will minister to us as only He can.

God’s grace, mercy, and love after trauma is powerful in your healing process, and nothing on Earth compares.

Bible verses from God’s Word that provide comfort when healing from trauma

God can do anything, and He can choose to heal any way He chooses.

Instantly, or through a process.

There are many facets to trauma care in tending to various needs in the recovery process from posttraumatic stress disorder including:

Physically – any adverse effects on the physical body
Emotionally – emotional pain is manifested in many ways
Spiritual effects

Professional help can also be found in counseling, support groups, or other medically managed therapies for trauma therapy.

Memories haunt and taunt you.
“What-if” thoughts come in like a flood at times.
The ever-present question that will never be adequately answered: “WHY?” “Why did this happen?” “Why me?”
There may be unhealthy coping mechanisms we’ve that we need to break free from – and that can be far from easy

My healing from trauma was a process – and it was far from easy or fun.

Bible verses to help provide comfort and hope while walking through the healing process:

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust. (Ps. 91:1-2)

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Ps. 34:18).

“Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me” (Psalm 27:10)

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:37-39).

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Is. 41:10).

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lam. 3:21-23).

“Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Pt. 5:7).

“God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Wherever you are in your healing journey, I want you to know that the words of Psalm 40:1-5 can be your victory cry, in Jesus name:

“I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him.”

May you experience God’s love, great mercy, and the peace of God as never before as you cry out to Him and lean into Him as He leads you through your healing journey.

God’s promises are in His Word, and He is always faithful to His Word.

From one trauma survivor to another, I encourage you to go to Jesus and pour out your heart in prayer.

He knows every detail of your trauma and how it effected you.

He sees right into your heart and knows the heartaches you’ve endured.

Not only does He know… He cares.

Prayer to God for healing from trauma

We’re told, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

I’d be honored to pray with you.

Lord God, we come before you recognizing that you are Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals. You know all and you see all – that includes the trauma I’ve endured, as well as the devastating impact of its consequences it has brought into my life. Forgive me, Lord, for times when I have looked to other coping mechanisms to try and find healing and comfort that ended up driving me away from you. I come Lord, and bring my shattered heart to you, asking for your healing. I come in my brokenness, pain, fears, trust issues, and anxieties, and I want to lay it all before you. Give me the grace to trust you more… give me the grace to look to you alone to heal and restore my heart. Lift me out of the slimy pit I pray Lord, and restore unto me the joy of thy salvation. We claim the truth of your Word in 1 Peter 1 3: you have given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. You are my hope, Jesus.

It is in the precious name of Jesus I pray, Amen.