Spiritual Trauma & Bible Reading

1. Spiritual Trauma is often the result of spiritual abuse, & like all forms of abuse it can create “trauma triggers”. When God’s precious word is weaponized against a person, it’s natural for “triggers” to be formed around Bible reading itself.

2. Abuse is not natural, it’s aberrant & wicked but when it does occur it often creates trauma which is an assault on the mind. In response to trauma, our brains develop defense mechanisms that seek to protect us from compounding mental pain. These defenses are “triggers”.

3. Trauma triggers are your brains way of sounding a “red alert” or an alarm to let you know that circumstances have occurred that are reminiscent of a traumatic context. These alarms, tho intended to alert & protect, can be profoundly disorienting and debilitating...

4. When it comes to spiritual trauma, expressions of spirituality can become triggering. Worship, church gatherings, prayer, and even Bible reading can all become things that once gave you life but now, due to spiritual trauma, cause you to be triggered & mentally spiral.

5. The book I’m writing right now seeks to walk people thru the dynamics of spiritual trauma as well as provide a roadmap of healing. With that said, a quick thought regarding spiritual trauma & Bible reading:

6. Those who struggle to read the Bible due to spiritual abuse/trauma should not feel ashamed or guilty. The Bible becoming triggering is natural in light of what has happened to your soul & mind & God does not hold your trauma or subsequent traumatic triggers against you...

7. When it comes to Bible Reading, one of the things you can try, and this may sound overly simple, is switching Bible Translations & Bibles. Often, the triggering component of Bible reading can be tied to specific words, phrases, & even page formatting....

8. From my exp, something that has helped many rediscover a joy in Bible reading, has been switching Bibles & translations. If you were abused under the ESV, switch to NIV or CSB. For me personally, for OT, I read thru a translation/commentary disconnected from evangelicalism.

9. Another thing to consider is sticking to gospels & psalms for as season. Most often, the weaponization of scripture hinges on twisting biblical directives found in epistles & Law. It may serve you to spend a long season focusing on the Gospels & getting reacquainted w/ Jesus.

10. The one point I wanna drive home this morning:

God created you as an embodied soul. He understands your trauma & triggers better than anyone. He does not hold your abuse or brokenness against you. You may struggle to come to him right now, but he patiently rejoices over you!