Root 6: Trauma

Trauma can be the starting point for deep shame.

Trauma often delivers the first and most powerful lies about our worth and identity. These lies—planted in moments of pain or within dysfunctional environments—become strongholds that shape how we see ourselves, God, and the world around us.

The enemy uses trauma to implant lies like “I am worthless” or “I am unlovable,” which take root and grow over time. These lies become what the Bible describes as strongholds and these strongholds must be destroyed.

“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

Paul reminds us that spiritual warfare is about demolishing lies—arguments, knowledge, and thoughts—that oppose God’s truth. When someone believes they are worthless or that God has given up on them, they struggle to receive the love and identity that is already theirs in Christ.

Similarly, if they believe their problems are unfixable, they may avoid seeking help or making a genuine effort to find freedom. Paul emphasizes that to grow in Christ as God intends, we must confront and destroy these lies.

This perspective sheds light on why trauma is so powerful. Trauma often becomes a delivery system for Satan’s lies.

Renowned psychotherapist and Harvard professor Elvin Semrad noted, “The greatest source of a person’s suffering are the lies they tell themselves.”

Even long after the trauma has passed, these lies continue to inflict harm.

This is the essence of spiritual warfare: identifying and destroying the lies that take root in our hearts and minds. Only by confronting these falsehoods can we walk in the freedom and truth of God’s love.

Lies I Believe as a Result of Trauma:

• My trauma is my fault.
• My life will always be limited because of what I’ve been through.
• My trauma defines who I am, and I can’t change.

The Truth from Scripture:

• My trauma doesn’t define me. It planted lies in my mind about who I am, but those lies are not the truth.
• God’s truth can replace the lies I’ve believed and set me free (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, John 8:32).
• I am not my wounds or trauma. Through Christ, I can heal and live a life of freedom.
• God can use my trauma to grow me to be more like Christ (James 1:2-4, Romans 8:28-29).

Questions for Processing Trauma:

Take a few minutes to think about each question below and write down your answers.

1. What are traumatic events or environments that have shaped you and implanted certain lies in your life?
2. Are there moments you relive? Is there negative self-talk that you repeat? When do you remember first repeating that lie to yourself?
3. What negative emotions (like anxiety, shame, or anger) are connected to your traumatic experiences?
4. How do you typically respond to these emotions when they arise?
5. How has your trauma shaped the way you see God, yourself, and others?

Application Steps:

1. Identify Your Trauma and the Messages It Delivered

• Write down your ten worst moments, big or small. For each, identify the lie or message that moment implanted in you (e.g., “I am worthless” or “I’m always going to fail”).

2. Take Your Thoughts Captive

• Pray and ask God to help you take these lies captive and compare them to the truth of His Word. Meditate on Scriptures that speak to your true identity in Christ. Be aware of negative self-talk and even write it down, so you can take those thoughts captive and replace them with the truth of God’s word.

3. Process in Community

• Share your pain and the lies you believe with a trusted friend, small group, or counselor. Sharing helps break the isolation trauma often creates and opens the door to healing.