Build a good foundation for Biblical trauma healing when you become familiar with what the Bible teaches us about God in times of suffering.
Unfortunately, we see significant levels of trauma experienced in our urban ministries. But suffering and subsequent trauma are prevalent across the world; it exists in every neighborhood in many different forms. It has been this way forever but, it has come to light that we can work toward healing trauma and see deeply wounded people released from their suffering.
As Christians, it is essential that we combine the process of healing trauma with the gospel. This means that through the healing process, sufferers will be ministered to with the truth of the gospel, and the bridge between the sufferer and God will likely be mended simultaneously as they heal from trauma.
The Bible provides ample information that teaches us about God in times of suffering. Being familiar with these verses builds a good foundation for Biblical trauma healing, bolsters our resilience, and serves as an encouragement as we walk through the winding road of trauma healing.
10 Verses to Build a Foundation for Biblical Trauma Healing
1. Psalm 91:4–6
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings, you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
God is close to the brokenhearted and comforts us when we suffer. As a prisoner who came to faith in Christ while incarcerated, Jason developed a passion for comforting those in the deepest moments of suffering: those facing their last breaths in the prison hospice unit. He has seen first-hand the supernatural comfort of God for the brokenhearted and forgotten.
2. Proverbs 6:16–19
There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
God hates evil and injustice. Not everything that happens is the perfect will of God. But God heals and is close to the wounded.
3. Romans 8:35–39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake, we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 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.
Trauma can create a barrier to people engaging with Scripture and understanding just how much God loves us. Hearts are hardened by anger and bitterness, and the seed falls on this hard ground and does not take root. Trauma healing helps us to fulfill the gospel of Jesus Christ, setting the captives free (Is. 61:1-4).
Want to learn more about World Impact’s Trauma Healing workshop? In the program, students are trained to identify, address, and begin the healing process from personal trauma that’s been experienced.
4. Romans 1:18
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness…
God knows about the trauma experienced by every single person. He knows the details of how the trauma came about, and He hates the wickedness that caused such pain.
Take heart in knowing that God comforts us. He is close to the brokenhearted and comforts us when we suffer, holding us in His arms.
Lasting transformation: What’s the Connection Between Personal Trauma Healing and the Gospel?
5. Matthew 9:35–36
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
For many, traumatic events in our childhood affect how we act and react as adults. But God takes our past and transforms it into a testimony of healing. Darryll’s traumatic past played a significant role in leading him to years in prison. Through God’s grace and healing, he is now the founder and director of The Prisoner’s Hope in Louisville, Kentucky.
6. Psalm 34:18
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
It takes time for heart wounds to heal. This process consists of numerous steps, including remembering God’s love, expressing our anguish in words and via art, grieving, lamenting, taking our suffering to the cross, and forgiving.
7. 2 Corinthians 1:3–5
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
We rejoice when we hear of another individual being set free from the impact of their trauma through trauma-healing resources. If you’re interested in walking this journey alongside others and sense a calling to help others find healing, check out how you can train in trauma healing.
8. Psalm 119:50
My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.
When our wounds are severe, we might have to rely on the lessons we have already learned and give God more time to heal our hearts. Eventually, we will be able to reconstruct our lives as we put effective practices into action and become better equipped to deal with hardship in the future.
Keep reading: A Powerful Story Of God’s People Being The Conduit For Trauma Healing
9. Isaiah 53:3–4
He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.
We hope that every afflicted individual is encouraged knowing that Jesus Himself experienced deep suffering during His time on earth and can relate to our suffering.
10. Hebrews 12:2–3
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer, and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Good and bad days will come; it’s all part of the healing journey. But we have access to God at every turn and He is close to the brokenhearted.
We hope these ten verses will encourage your heart as you journey toward trauma healing. When individuals begin to experience the healing work of the gospel, churches are healthier, and individuals, families, and neighborhoods can flourish.
Help urban church leaders bring Trauma Healing to their churches and neighborhoods when you give to World Impact.