God’s Presence in the Brokenness of PTSD

Reassembling After PTSD

There are experiences in life that shake us so deeply, we’re left with pieces we don’t know how to put back together. For many of us, that’s what PTSD feels like. It isn’t just about a memory from the past — it’s how those memories echo into the present, showing up in ways we don’t always expect.

I’ve lived through my own seasons of trauma, and I know how overwhelming it can be when a sound, a place, or even a thought pulls us right back into a moment we thought we’d left behind. PTSD can make us feel broken, as if our identity is permanently tied to what happened. But the truth is, trauma is part of our story — not the whole story.

God’s Nearness in the Brokenness

Psalm 34:18 has been an anchor for me:

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

That verse doesn’t promise that pain disappears overnight. What it promises is God’s nearness. Even when the pieces of our lives feel scattered beyond repair, He is close. He doesn’t shy away from our wounds; He draws near to them.

Living in the Tension

Healing from PTSD is rarely quick or simple. Some days it looks like progress, and other days it feels like starting over again. And that’s okay. Healing isn’t about pretending the trauma never happened — it’s about learning to carry it differently, with God’s help.

For me, it has often meant slowing down, breathing deep, and reminding myself that the past doesn’t have the right to define my future. Sometimes it has meant asking for help, leaning on safe people, and letting their strength hold me when mine felt too small.

Reassembling Piece by Piece

The work of reassembling after trauma is not about erasing what we’ve lived through. It’s about allowing God to meet us in the broken pieces and create something whole again. Healing may come slowly, but it comes. And every small step forward is still a step.

Listen to the Full Conversation

On the podcast, I share more about my journey with PTSD and how God continues to reassemble the broken places in ways I never imagined. If this is something you carry, know you’re not alone.

Listen to this Podcast Episode: