Turning Trauma into Testimony
Finding Healing in God's Presence When You're Numb, Tired, and Just Trying to Make It
Let’s be real—healing from trauma isn’t a highlight reel.
It’s not linear. It’s messy. And sometimes, it feels like you’re surviving more than actually living.
But here’s the good news: God isn’t waiting for your perfection—He’s present in your process.
Whether you're walking through trauma, dissociation, ADHD, or just plain burnout, God sees it all.
And He’s not flinching.
What Does Trauma Feel Like IRL? 😶🌫️
For a lot of us, trauma doesn’t feel like a big explosion—it feels like going emotionally offline.
You’re doing life, but it’s in grayscale
You laugh, but it doesn’t hit your chest
You cry, but it feels robotic
You’re in the room, but you’re miles away in your head
You don’t feel present because your nervous system decided it wasn’t safe to be.
And while trauma shapes you, it doesn’t get to define you.
Survival Mode Isn’t Just a Mood—It’s a System 🔄
Psalm 34:18 says:
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”
That’s not just poetic—it’s real life.
God doesn't avoid the mess. He runs toward it.
When trauma’s got your brain locked in survival mode, your body is doing the most just to stay functional.
Some common responses:
Emotional overload: A small thing feels like the end of the world
Dissociation: Mentally peacing out because it’s all just too much
Hypervigilance: Always scanning the room for vibes or danger
Shut down: Because being numb feels safer than being overwhelmed
You’re not dramatic. You’re not broken. You’re responding the way your body learned to protect you.
So... What Is Dissociation? 🚫🧠
Think of it like this:
Your brain’s overloaded, so it pulls the emergency brake. You zone out, go blank, disconnect—not because you’re careless, but because you care too much and your system can’t take more.
It might look like:
Feeling detached or foggy
Watching life happen like it’s not yours
Struggling to stay emotionally “in the room”
Forgetting convos, events, or even seasons of life
You’re not faking. You’re just exhausted from carrying too much for too long.
Chronic Numbness? That’s a Trauma Thing 🧊🧠
Living in that dissociated space long-term can lead to:
Memory gaps 🧩
Flat emotions (joy feels muted, sadness feels...meh)
Trouble being present, even in good moments
Feeling distant in relationships
Surprise grief or anger surfacing out of nowhere
Wondering who you are underneath all the numbing
This isn’t “bad vibes.” It’s a nervous system that needs healing.
And No—Dissociation Isn’t a Spiritual Failure 🙅♂️
It’s not rebellion. It’s not weakness.
It’s your brain trying to keep you safe.
And Jesus isn’t mad about it.
Psalm 143:7 says:
“He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.”
That includes the invisible wounds—the ones buried deep in your body and story.
God’s grace doesn’t just meet you when you’re hyped up in worship. It meets you in the freeze, in the shutdown, in the numbness. He’s not disappointed. He’s present.
God Wants More Than Just Function—He Wants Fullness 💥🕊️
John 10:10 isn’t just about eternity—it’s about now.
“I came so they might have life, and have it more abundantly.”
Zoe (Greek for “life”) means the kind of life God Himself lives—full, vibrant, alive.
That includes:
Feeling again
Connecting again
Living beyond survival
Letting your soul breathe
So... How Do You Come Back to Life After Dissociation? 🔁
You start by getting honest.
Not polished. Not hyper-spiritual. Just real.
God’s not looking for your Sunday best. He’s looking for your presence, even when you're numb.
You don’t have to feel everything to invite Him into everything.
💡 Life Application Challenge
This week, try this:
Ask God: “Where am I just performing right now instead of being present?”
Take 3-5 minutes to pause and notice what’s happening in your body. Just breathe.
Text a trusted person and say, “Hey, I’ve been feeling disconnected. Can we talk soon?”
Let yourself feel one emotion without judging it
Reflect on this: What would it look like to stop trying to “be okay” and just let God meet me as I am?
Final Word 🎯
You don’t have to hustle your way to healing.
You don’t have to fake joy to be loved by God.
You don’t need to “snap out of it” to be seen.
You just have to stop hiding.
Because the moment you show up—even frozen, even empty—is the moment healing begins.
God already showed up for you. Now it’s your turn. 💛
(New Living Translation Bible, 1996)
(New King James Version, 1975)