When It's Trauma: A Biblical Guide to Understanding Trauma and Walking Faithfully with Sufferers

by Darby A Strickland

Genres: Counselling, Nonfiction

312 pages, Paperback

Published October 8, 2025

Reviews

[Evan Magelssen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a counselor, and as someone subjected to trauma growing up, this book brought light and life in so many areas of my life.

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not only a phenomenal primer on trauma and its effects, but provides an accessible, galvanizing foundation for the lay person seeking to walk faithfully and compassionately alongside sufferers.

[Hannah Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author of this book displayed Christlike compassion in dealing with the deep, profound issues of trauma. We are intertwined , body and soul, and this book spells out in depth what that means for us. When It’s Trauma is an equipping book for anyone looking to learn more on the harsh effects of trauma and how to help those who have survived it.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compassionate, Biblical, practical, and jam-packed full of additional resources and readings. I cannot recommend this book enough. Whether you are a counselor, pastor, friend to a trauma survivor or a survivor yourself, there is something in this book for you. As a clinician beginning to transition into faith-based counseling, the Biblical references and trauma-framing of interacting with the Word was deeply edifying and invaluable. Incredibly grateful for this book.

[Ashlee Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sensitive and biblically faithful guide on walking wisely and compassionately with those who have experienced trauma.

[Josh · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's difficult to review a book like this critically because, by its very nature, the circumstances and situations that get labelled "trauma" are some of the most vulnerable and painful in all human experience. My disagreements below do not represent an attempt to minimize pain, suffering, and evil wherever it is found. Furthermore, there are some good elements in the book. Strickland is an excellent writer and there are beautiful, touching passages of care for hurting people. Scripture is woven throughout (though not always faithfully; more on that below), but in many cases in helpful ways. I found the final chapter on union with Christ to be the strongest throughout.

That said: I think there are systemic, fatal flaws to this book. Without ever using the term, it is in essence an integrationist model for counseling: insights from the secular trauma literature are "integrated" with biblical texts. There are a few places where Strickland speaks to the superiority of Scripture, but this doesn't function as the driving imperative of the book. The entirety of Part 2, "Wounds of Trauma" (physical anguish, shame, faith questions, relational hyper vigilance, reexperienced trauma, avoidance) is shaped by trauma literature. Her introduction to this section tries to root each of these in Job's experience, but it appears that she is reading the categories into the text rather than deriving them from Job. (As an illustration of the difference: yes, things like those categories show up in Job - but so too does a rebuke by God for Job's questioning of God's judgment and a massive biblical-theology of the role of Satan and spiritual evil in a sufferer's life. These are absent from Strickland's reading of Job and show up nowhere in the rest of the book. The lens of "trauma insight" masks certain features of the biblical text and reinterprets those that it "reveals.")

In the end, my fundamental problem with the book can be summarized by turning the title into a question: when is it trauma? The first chapter, and subsequent exposition, want to have trauma be both ubiquitous and a special case, something unique. At times, it is a matter of severity; but at other times, the presence of "trauma" can't be measured by how a person appears to be responding. In places, "suffering" and "trauma" are interchangeable terms - in others, trauma appears to be a specialized subset of suffering. But clarity of definition is never provided, and instead the reader is given emotional and subjective language about pain and wounds. Again: that is not to say that suffering and pain aren't real! But I would love to see a Christian book on trauma (or even a secular book, for that matter) begin with a clear statement: "here are all the things that are not trauma, even if someone wants to call themselves traumatized." The absence of such statements is telling. "Trauma" is now our linga franca for all suffering or painful experiences, and as such it risks being completely self-defined. That's a slippery slope. The Bible, and counselors and Christians in love with its riches, have far more meaningful counsel to offer.

[Luminous Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an essential resource for anyone seeking to walk alongside trauma sufferers with compassion and understanding. It is one of the most accessible, comprehensive, and hopeful books on trauma I have read, offering a wonderful blend of scriptural insights and practical guidance.

I loved the way Darby explores how trauma is portrayed throughout Scripture, providing readers with a biblical perspective that illuminates God's response to pain and suffering. This book offers practical strategies for caring for those impacted by trauma, whether you are a counselor, a church leader, or a friend of a sufferer.

With years of counseling experience, Darby acts as a wise and compassionate guide for readers to learn the importance of being present with those in pain, recognizing specific wounds caused by trauma, and offering ways to provide meaningful support. The book also emphasizes the hopeful message of restoration, beautifully reminding us of Jesus’ power to heal and draw near to the brokenhearted. 🤍


📚 Some of my favorite quotes:

“Healing springs forth most effectively in an atmosphere of presence, patience, and shared hope.”

“Lament is not just an emotional release—it is an act of trust that declares that even in the darkest places, God is still with us. Ultimately, it shows that healing is not about suppression of trauma but about bringing it into the presence of a God who listens, remembers, and redeems.”

“We need to understand that someone who is suffering from trauma will be most open to gospel truths if they experience them through our actions.”


I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Landon Coleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book quite helpful in my roles as a pastor, husband, father, and sometimes counselor. I think Strickland has good insights into trauma, its effects, and its treatment. I also wonder if some of the hermeneutic isn't a bit allegorical, approaching the Bible with a trauma lens? On a related note, I wonder about the overuse of trauma as a diagnosis - if everything is traumatic, the concept looses its meaning. Still, helpful concepts in this book.

[Jeremy Tetreau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent and insightful book. Theologically perceptive while remaining utterly practical, Strickland provides invaluable guidance for those who have experienced deep pain and for those who want to help them in Jesus' name. Highly recommended.

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A useful, sensitive guide to comforting and walking with those who have experienced deep suffering. Strickland is a breath of fresh air.

[Allison Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Darby’s compassion towards sufferers and her ability to bridge the gap between Christian counselors and trauma victims is invaluable. Read this to better learn how to serve your hurting friends or counselees.