JITT Talks | The Survival Series — Part 3 When Trauma Shapes How We See God: Healing Our Understanding of Trust, Surrender & Safety What happens when the Bible tells you God is trustworthy, but the people you trusted weren't? What happens when you're told to surrender, but control is how you learned to survive? Or when Scripture describes God as a loving Father, but your experiences with love, authority, or family have been painful? In the final episode of The Survival Series: How the Past Shapes How We Heal, Lead, and Believe, we're exploring a deeply personal connection between trauma, faith, and how our past experiences can influence the way we understand and relate to God. Sometimes we know what Scripture says about God's love, grace, and faithfulness, yet emotionally struggle to trust, surrender, or receive those truths. This doesn't necessarily mean we lack faith. Sometimes our experiences have shaped what we've learned to expect from relationships, including our relationship with God. In this episode of JITT Talks, we have an honest, faith-centered, trauma-informed conversation about the intersection of our lived experiences, spiritual beliefs, and the journey toward healing. How past experiences can influence our perception of God Why trusting God can feel difficult when trust has been broken The relationship between survival patterns, control, and surrender Understanding God as Father when earthly relationships have been painful How experiences with authority can affect our understanding of God's authority Church hurt, spiritual manipulation, and rebuilding trust Why forgiveness doesn't automatically mean reconciliation or restored access How conditional love and performance can shape our understanding of God's grace Navigating disappointment, grief, and unanswered prayers Why faith and emotional struggles can coexist Learning to distinguish God's character from the behavior of people who may have misrepresented Him A question worth reflecting on: “Am I experiencing God for who He is—or through the lens of what people have taught me to expect?” Throughout this conversation, we also reflect on themes from Geneva Martin's book, Surrendered in Silence, exploring what it means to release control, navigate grief, and discover God's presence even when life doesn't unfold the way we expected. Trauma doesn't change who God is, but our experiences can influence the lens through which we see Him. Healing isn't about pretending our past didn't happen. It's about recognizing how those experiences may have shaped us and allowing room for a deeper understanding of faith, trust, love, and surrender. Part 1: When Trauma Doesn't Look Like Trauma — How the Past Shows Up in Everyday Life Part 2: Survival Mode Became My Personality — When Coping Becomes Identity Part 3: When Trauma Shapes How We See God — Healing Our Understanding of Trust, Surrender & Safety Thank you for joining us throughout this three-part journey of awareness, identity, faith, and healing. Explore Geneva Martin's book, Surrendered in Silence, a personal journey through grief, faith, resilience, and surrender. Find the book and additional resources through our Linktree below. 🌐 Website: www.TheJITTGroup.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/TheJITTGroup Connect with us on social media! 🎧 If this episode resonates with you, follow JITT Talks, leave a review, and share The Survival Series with someone who may benefit from these conversations. Disclaimer: JITT Talks is intended for educational and informational purposes only. Our conversations are informed by professional experience, faith, and lived experiences. This podcast is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or professional mental health treatment. JITT Talks: Real Conversations. Real Transformation.
