When I read Jesus’ profound words in Matthew 6:25-34, where He tells us not to worry about our lives, what we will eat or drink, or wear, my initial thought, especially when dealing with the aftermath of trauma, is often, “But what if the worry isn’t a choice? What if it feels hardwired?” This passage, part of the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus taught about what it means to live with the priorities of His kingdom, seems to offer a beautiful freedom from the anxieties tied to material things.

Yet, for those of us whose bodies and minds have been shaped by past harm, things like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Complex PTSD (CPTSD), worry can feel automatic, deeply ingrained, and beyond our rational control.

How do we reconcile Jesus’ gentle command to not worry with the very real, often involuntary, responses that trauma imprints upon us?

Jesus Understands Our Humanity

First, I believe it’s vital to understand that Jesus wasn’t dismissing the genuine struggles of anxiety or the profound impact of trauma. His words were not a demand to simply suppress anxiety or a harsh command to “just stop worrying”. Instead, they were an invitation to trust Him, even when our physical and mental states feel chaotic. Jesus knew that worry is a burden, and He wanted His followers, us, to understand that we weren’t meant to carry it alone. His teaching is a gentle reassurance that God sees our struggles, knows our needs, and promises His provision.

Trauma Responses Are Not a Failure of Faith

It’s critical for me to remember, and perhaps for you too, that trauma responses aren’t sinful. Conditions like CPTSD cause involuntary reactions—dissociation, hypervigilance, and slipping into survival mode. These are not indicators of a lack of faith or a spiritual failing. They are neurological responses to past harm. Jesus’ teaching is not meant to condemn those who struggle with worry due to trauma; rather, it’s meant to offer peace in the midst of it. Healing from trauma is a process that takes time, and I find immense comfort in knowing that God is patient with us throughout that journey.

Trusting God in the Midst of Triggers

So, what does trusting God look like when a trigger arises, when my body reacts before my mind can even catch up? It certainly doesn’t mean ignoring the reality of the trauma I’ve experienced. For me, it means inviting God into the healing process. It means actively recognizing these truths, even when they feel counter-intuitive in the moment:

• God is present even when my body reacts before my mind can process what is happening.
• His peace is available even when logical thought feels inaccessible due to being overwhelmed by a trigger.
• Healing is a journey, and I don’t walk it alone; He walks with me through it.

Practical Steps for Navigating Worry and Trauma

Here are some practical ways to apply Jesus’ teaching, especially when dealing with the unique challenges of trauma:

• Grounding in Scripture: When triggers arise and my thoughts feel scattered or overwhelmed, returning to truth found in God’s Word can help reorient my mind. Even simple verses like “The Lord is my refuge” (Psalm 46:1) can serve as anchors in turbulent moments. The Bible tells us that God is a loving heavenly Father who cares for us.
• Breathing & Prayer: Trauma can make the body feel unsafe or dysregulated. Practicing deep breathing techniques, while intentionally engaging in prayer, can help regulate the nervous system and bring a sense of calm rooted in God’s presence. I find that simply casting my cares upon Him in prayer, as we are told in 1 Peter, helps me remember that He cares for me and is big enough to carry what feels too heavy for me. Similarly, Philippians encourages us to be anxious for nothing but in everything, let our prayers be made known to God.
• Seeking Support: The healing journey often requires community. This can look like engaging in therapy, leaning on trusted friends, or seeking pastoral guidance. God works through other people to bring about restoration and healing.

Jesus’ Invitation to Rest

Again, Matthew 6 is not a demand to suppress anxiety. It is fundamentally an invitation to rest in Him. Jesus understands that trauma makes trust incredibly difficult. But He gently reminds us of a foundational truth: “Your Father knows what you need” (Matthew 6:32). Even when your body reacts before your mind can catch up, He is still holding you.

Worry, especially the kind rooted in trauma, is often unproductive. As Jesus logically points out, no amount of worrying can add length to your life or solve the problems it fixates on. In fact, worry can take away from life, causing stress and health problems. There’s a difference between responsible concern (like taking care of necessary things) and ungodly, untrusting worry that disturbs our peace. If I find myself excusing excessive anxiety as just being “responsible,” it’s worth asking God if I’m actually engaging in ungodly worry.

Replacing Worry with Kingdom Pursuit

Jesus doesn’t just tell us to stop worrying; He tells us to replace our worry with something greater. He gives us a powerful command and promise in Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

This verse has been deeply impressed on my heart. Seeking the kingdom isn’t meant to be another overwhelming task added to an already difficult life. Instead, it’s about letting the priorities of God’s kingdom and His righteousness overarch everything in my life. It means seeking God’s kingdom not just at specific times, but in everything I do—in my work, my relationships, my daily tasks.

It means recognizing that while material things like food, drink, and clothing are necessary and God cares about them, my life is meant for something higher than just focusing on these things. Living solely for material concerns is, as one David Guzik put it, living at the level of animals; we, made in God’s image, are meant to live for a spiritual connection with Him and for something higher. When we prioritize seeking God and His kingdom, He promises to take care of the material concerns.

Taking It One Day at a Time

For those of us who feel like chronic worriers, Jesus offers another practical approach in Matthew 6:34: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”. This is an invitation to live in the present day. If worry feels unavoidable, Jesus suggests we confine it to today’s concerns, letting go of the past (which we cannot change) and the future (which is not yet here). Focusing only on today’s trouble, which is sufficient, can eliminate a significant portion of our worry. It calls us to trust God today.

The Foundation of Trust: The Cross

Ultimately, the ability to trust God, especially when dealing with the deep wounds of trauma, rests on understanding how much He truly cares for us. To the skeptic who might ask, “What has God ever done for me?”, the answer is profoundly found in the cross of Jesus Christ.

God can give us no greater demonstration of His love and care than sending His Son, Jesus, to die as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. Jesus, the innocent one, stood in the place of us, the guilty ones. This radical, dramatic act of love is the ultimate proof that God loves us and cares for us. Knowing this can strengthen our trust in Him, even when the effects of trauma make it incredibly difficult.

Finding Healing and Peace in the Trauma Journey

Ultimately, I want to remind you, and myself, that you are not failing in faith because you struggle with trauma responses. These are real, often involuntary, reactions to past harm. Instead, know that you are seen, loved, and deeply cared for by a God who understands the depths of human suffering far better than we can imagine. Healing from trauma is truly a process, a journey, and the beautiful truth is that Jesus walks with you through every single step.

As we’ve explored how seeking His kingdom first can help replace worry and how living one day at a time is a practical step towards peace, let’s continue to seek Him first, day by day, trusting that as we do, He will continue to guide us towards freedom from the torment of worry and towards healing and peace. As you continue this journey, you might find encouragement in exploring topics like Steadfast Consistency in Faith or learning more about techniques in How to Be Still (Psalm 46:10) for managing difficult moments. Remember, seeking community is also key; perhaps delve into Find Your Tribe, Grow Your Faith to find support.

References

• Enduring Word