How to Trust God in the Midst of Trauma and Uncertainty

Trauma is never welcomed or desired, yet it finds its way into our lives, shaking us to the core. It disrupts what we know, challenges our faith, and forces us to confront the unexpected. But even in those moments—especially in those moments—God is present, working in ways we may not understand at first.

I will never forget the day my mother collapsed in our kitchen. Before she fell, she yelled out in distress:

“Stroke! Stroke!”

Her voice carried both urgency and fear, and in an instant, everything changed. I turned to see her body give way, and before I could reach her, she was on the floor. I rushed to her side, my heart pounding. I held her in my arms, but she wasn’t responding. I felt completely powerless, watching helplessly as life seemed to slip away from her.

Then, in the middle of my panic, my sister’s voice cut through the chaos with one simple but powerful word:

“Pray.”

And so I did.

In desperation, in faith, in uncertainty—I prayed. And in that moment, the Lord brought her back.

That experience changed me. It opened my eyes to what God can do, even in the midst of trauma. My mother went on to live decades beyond that point. Though she has since gone on to be with the Lord, that day remains a defining moment in my life. It taught me that even when life feels completely out of my hands, it is never out of God’s control.

The Bible is filled with stories of people who faced trauma yet encountered God in the middle of it. Joseph was betrayed, sold into slavery, and imprisoned, yet he later told his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” (Genesis 50:20, NIV). Paul, despite being beaten and thrown into prison, could still declare, “We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance” (Romans 5:3, NIV).

I’ve come to realize that trauma doesn’t just leave scars—it leaves testimonies. Moments like these become building blocks, reminders of God’s power and faithfulness. We may not always get the outcomes we pray for, but we are never left alone in our pain.

If you are walking through a moment of trauma, I encourage you: hold on to God. Even when you don’t understand. Even when the fear is overwhelming. Even when everything feels out of control.

Pray. Trust. And know that God is still moving.

One day, the testimony you’re living through may be the very thing that strengthens someone else.