Trauma. It seems like we hear about it everywhere these days. But what does the Bible say about it?

In this episode, Haley and Dustin provide a biblical and lay-level understanding of the basics of trauma – what it is, what it is not, and how it’s different from everyday stress and pain. They also explore how trauma can impact us in different ways and also highlight biblical characters and stories where trauma played a significant role—reminding us that pain and suffering are not foreign to the story of God’s people. They offer a helpful framework from Dr. Marcus Warner* on how to bring God into your pain.

Whether you’re walking through trauma yourself or seeking to better understand and support others, this episode offers a biblical perspective on making sense of our pain with encouragement to find healing through God’s Word.

*See episode 78 with Dr. Marcus Warner, “Understanding the Wounded Heart" for more helpful discussion on trauma.

Subscribe to the podcast and tune in each week as Haley and Dustin share with you what the Bible says about real-life issues with compassion, warmth, and wit.

So you have every reason for hope, for every challenge in life. Because hope means

everything.

Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart.

Listen in to learn more

[0:00:00] Identity Is Not Your Trauma

[0:01:28] Trauma: A Big Cultural & Church Conversation

[0:03:45] God’s Presence in Global and Personal Crises

[0:17:28] Big T vs Little t: Defining Trauma Clearly

[0:54:57] REAL Prayer: A Simple Framework for Healing

Hope for the Heart resources

Book – Crisis & Trauma: Healing the Wounded Heart – https://www.hopefortheheart.org/store/product/crisis-truama

Order our newest resource, The Care and Counsel Handbook, providing biblical guidance 100 real-life issues: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/care-and-counsel-handbook

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopefortheheart

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefortheheart

Want to talk with June Hunt on Hope in the Night about a difficult life issue? Schedule a time here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/talk-with-june-hope-in-the-night

God’s plan for you: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/gods-plan-for-you/

Give to the ministry of Hope for the Heart: https://raisedonors.com/hopefortheheart/givehope?sc=HTPDON

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Bible verses mentioned in this episode

Psalm 31:9-16 – “Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak. Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors and an object of dread to my closest friends—those who see me on the street flee from me. I am forgotten as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery. For I hear many whispering, “Terror on every side!” They conspire against me and plot to take my life. But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.”

Bible characters who had traumatic experiences:

Adam & Eve – loss of fellowship with God; Cain kill Abel (their sons)

Noah – saw the whole world destroyed

Hagar -- Abused, exploited, abandoned while pregnant, fled to the wilderness

Joseph – Betrayed by family, abandoned, enslaved, falsely accused

Job – Lost everything, faced immense suffering

Naomi – Lost husband and sons, displaced

David – hunted by Saul, betrayal, and loss of family and friends, lament in the Psalms

Mary, mother of Jesus – Witnessed her son’s crucifixion

Paul – Beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked

Jesus – Rejected, abandoned, tortured, crucified

Rebekah Lyons shares her powerful hope story of navigating a difficult childbirth and learning that her firstborn son had Down syndrome. In that tender, uncertain season, she discovered what it truly meant to surrender control and trust God with her whole heart.

Together, we explore how adversity can strengthen our faith, why risk is an essential part of spiritual growth, and how resilience helps us face both courageously. Rebekah also shares five practical principles from her book Building a Resilient Life, offering encouragement and wisdom for anyone learning to walk boldly with God through life’s hardest moments.

Subscribe to the podcast and tune in each week as Haley and Dustin share with you what the Bible says about real-life issues with compassion, warmth, and wit.

So you have every reason for hope, for every challenge in life. Because hope means everything.

Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart.

Listen in to learn more

• [0:00] Let Go of Life’s Blueprint—Embrace the Journey You Didn’t Plan
• [0:27] Hope Isn’t Optional—It’s Everything
• [5:00] When Life is Interrupted—Discovering Purpose in the Unexpected
• [9:33] Grieving Dreams, Gaining Joy—The Unexpected Gifts of Special Needs Parenting
• [10:00] Risk as Rescue—How Taking Leaps Builds Unshakeable Resilience

Rebekah Lyons Resources

Learn more about Rebekah Lyons, her books, and her ministry – https://www.rebekahlyons.com/

Hope for the Heart resources

Order our newest resource, The Care and Counsel Handbook, providing biblical guidance 100 real-life issues: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/care-and-counsel-handbook

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopefortheheart

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefortheheart

Want to talk with June Hunt on Hope in the Night about a difficult life issue? Schedule a time here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/talk-with-june-hope-in-the-night

God’s plan for you: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/gods-plan-for-you/

Give to the ministry of Hope for the Heart: https://raisedonors.com/hopefortheheart/givehope?sc=HTPDON

Katherine Wolf shares her remarkable story of surviving a life-changing stroke and later navigating a high-risk pregnancy that resulted in the miraculous birth of her second son. With honesty and grace, she reflects on the “collateral blessings” God has brought from what once felt like only loss, and the unexpected ways He has redeemed her suffering. Katherine also shares how these experiences shaped her ministry, Hope Heals, and her heart to serve and advocate for the disabled community.

This deeply meaningful conversation explores the reality of suffering, how to maintain hope, and see God’s goodness in every season.

Subscribe to the podcast and tune in each week as Haley and Dustin share with you what the Bible says about real-life issues with compassion, warmth, and wit.

So you have every reason for hope, for every challenge in life. Because hope means everything.

Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart.

Listen in to learn more

[0:03:01] The Miracle of Her Second Child

[0:06:59] Building Hope Heals Ministry Through Crisis

[0:14:40] Redefining “Good” and the Practice of Hope

[0:27:01] Gratitude and Praise as a Response to Suffering

Katherine Wolf Resources

Learn more about Katherine Wolf and her ministry, Hope Heals – https://hopeheals.com/

Hope for the Heart resources

Order our newest resource, The Care and Counsel Handbook, providing biblical guidance 100 real-life issues: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/care-and-counsel-handbook

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopefortheheart

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefortheheart

Want to talk with June Hunt on Hope in the Night about a difficult life issue? Schedule a time here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/talk-with-june-hope-in-the-night

God’s plan for you: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/gods-plan-for-you/

Give to the ministry of Hope for the Heart:https://raisedonors.com/hopefortheheart/givehope?sc=HTPDON