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It’s Okay to Talk about Trauma in the Church

Dr. E. Ken Harmon
Jul 8
4 min read

By Dr. E. Ken Harmon

Praying for Healing — Prayer for the Wounded

In December 2002, I came to know and accept Jesus in a Baptist Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan. I was a late bloomer to the faith at 37 years old, and I was in the midst of my second divorce. Some things got considerably better. I began to understand the call on my life and started moving with purpose. On the other hand, some things got considerably worse. Okay, much worse. I had 37 years of trauma and drama that was starting to emerge: rape, abuse, death of my children, the murder of my senior professor, and a lifestyle of sexual addiction, to name a few.

You can read my complete story here: https://www.stoplivingwounded.com/painandhealings

It's been a 23-year healing journey culminating in my obtaining dual doctorates in Biblical and Pastoral Counseling. If I were to speak at a pastoral conference, I would share with God's leaders that, "It's Okay to Talk about Trauma."

The Unspoken Weight in the Sanctuary

Church is often described as a hospital for the hurting, yet many believers suffer silently in the pews. Trauma—whether from abuse, neglect, grief, violence, or church-related wounds—can feel like a taboo subject. We smile during worship, serve faithfully, and quote verses while carrying silent pain.

But here’s the truth: healing begins with honesty. And honesty requires that we talk about trauma—even in church.

Jesus Welcomes the Wounded

In the Greek language, the English word "trauma" is translated from a word meaning "wound." "Stop Living 'Wounded'" could well be interpreted as "Stop Living 'Traumatized.'" The meaning here is a declaration, not a denial.The Gospels are full of broken people coming to Jesus: the hemorrhaging woman, the blind beggars, the demon-possessed, the grieving father. Not once does Jesus shame them. Instead, He listens, touches, and restores.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” – Psalm 147:3

If Jesus makes space for the broken, why shouldn’t the Church?

Silence Doesn’t Equal Strength

Too often, churches reward silence and label it “faith.” We say “God is good” with gritted teeth, hoping no one asks what we’re going through. But spiritual maturity isn’t pretending we’re not in pain—it’s trusting God with it. Talking about trauma isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a bold step of discipleship. It says: “I trust this community enough to be seen.”

Churches fear that trauma conversations will make people uncomfortable. And they’re right—it will. But comfort is not the goal of the gospel. Truth is. Healing is. Wholeness is.

When we allow space for testimonies of trauma and healing, we reflect the full arc of redemption. We embody the promise that nothing is wasted in God’s hands. When we avoid hard stories, we send the message:

“You’re too messy.”
“That didn’t really happen.”
“That doesn’t belong here.”

That silence can retraumatize. Worse, it can make victims feel like their pain is unspiritual or disqualifying. The Church must be the loudest voice saying: “You are not alone. And you are not beyond God’s healing.” It must have systems in place that give voice and value to the wounded.

We love a good “before and after” story, but often skip the middle. Trauma lives in that middle.

It’s okay if you’re still there. You don’t need a bow on your pain to share it. God is not ashamed of your process.

“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.” – Revelation 12:11

Talking About Trauma Invites Others into Healing

Originally, I was ashamed of my woundedness. I would think, "If they knew my past, they would not accept me as a pastor." This thinking wounded me more because what God was attempting to bring up and out, I was trying to bury and hide. I eventually discovered something: your trauma doesn’t make your faith less real. In fact, my faith went from being theologically sound to practically powerful. It transitioned from pain to purpose.

Likewise, exposing your wounds might be the very thing that makes your testimony powerful. One of the reasons I love ministries like Celebrate Recovery is that every time someone shares their story, they crack open a door for someone else's healing. Someone in the room who thought, “It’s just me”, now knows they’re not alone.

This is the work of the Church:

To weep together.
To walk together.
To witness each other’s healing.

A Final Word: The Cross Is Big Enough

The Cross isn’t just about sin—it’s about sorrow. It holds your trauma. It absorbs your wounds. It speaks hope into places too deep for words. So, let the church be a place where trauma can be named, grieved, and healed.

Let it be said: “This is a place where broken people find a whole God.”

Reflection Questions

Have you ever felt like you had to hide your pain at church?
How can your community create space for trauma-informed conversations?
What does it look like to bring your whole story—including your wounds—into the light of Christ?

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