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05 | What Is Religious Trauma? (And Why Most Christian Women Don't Recognize It)
Have you ever walked away from church feeling heavy and confused—then immediately told yourself, "I'm probably just being too sensitive?"
If you've ever felt that spiritual discomfort but didn't have words for it, this episode is your gentle awakening call.
In this foundational conversation, Debra shares her own powerful story of finally finding language for her experience—that life-changing moment when her daughter sent a video that made everything click. Through tender storytelling and compassionate teaching, you'll discover why one in three adults carry religious trauma, yet most Christian women don't even recognize it's what they're experiencing.
This isn't about extreme cases you see on the news. It's about the subtle, quiet ways spiritual harm can happen—and why your sensitivity might actually be picking up on something that really was wrong.
In this episode, you'll discover: → What religious trauma actually looks like for faithful Christian women
→ Why we've been taught to blame ourselves instead of recognizing harmful patterns
→ The difference between God's loving conviction and the voice of condemnation
→ How to start trusting your inner compass again—without fear
→ Why questioning doesn't make you rebellious (it makes you brave)
The truth that will change everything: You can't heal what you can't name. Once you have language for your experience, everything can start to shift.
Action Step: Pay attention to how different spiritual messages make you feel in your body. Does this make you feel closer to God or farther away? Does it leave you with hope or with shame?
Healing Truth: Your confusion isn't rebellion. Your questions aren't lack of faith. Often, it's your soul recognizing that something claiming to represent God was actually misrepresenting Him.
🎧 Ready to go deeper?
→ Take the free quiz at ReligiousTraumaQuiz.com to discover your personalized healing path and get a bonus 3-part audio series
→ Grab your copy of He Is Enough at HeIsEnoughBook.com — your redemptive memoir and healing guide plus audiobook, mini-course, weekly reading circles, and support community for just $17
Have questions or want to connect?
Email Debra at: [email protected]
Listener Love: If this episode helped you feel less alone, would you share it with someone who needs this gentle truth? And a quick review on Apple Podcasts is like a virtual hug that helps more women find their way here.
This isn't surface-level faith advice. It's soul-level restoration—designed for Christian women healing from religious trauma who long for inner peace, true connection with God, and the freedom to ask honest questions without fear.
Research Referenced: Slade, D., Smell, A., Wilson, E., & Drumsta, R. (2023). Percentage of U.S. adults suffering from religious trauma: A sociological study. Socio-Historical Examination of Religion and Ministry, 5(1), 1-28.
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By Debra Shafer | Spiritual Healing Coach for Christian Women | Founder, Healing Religious Trauma Circle | Walking Women Home to a Safe, Loving God | Voice of Gentle Clarity, Healing, and TruthHave you ever walked away from church feeling heavy and confused—then immediately told yourself, "I'm probably just being too sensitive?"
If you've ever felt that spiritual discomfort but didn't have words for it, this episode is your gentle awakening call.
In this foundational conversation, Debra shares her own powerful story of finally finding language for her experience—that life-changing moment when her daughter sent a video that made everything click. Through tender storytelling and compassionate teaching, you'll discover why one in three adults carry religious trauma, yet most Christian women don't even recognize it's what they're experiencing.
This isn't about extreme cases you see on the news. It's about the subtle, quiet ways spiritual harm can happen—and why your sensitivity might actually be picking up on something that really was wrong.
In this episode, you'll discover: → What religious trauma actually looks like for faithful Christian women
→ Why we've been taught to blame ourselves instead of recognizing harmful patterns
→ The difference between God's loving conviction and the voice of condemnation
→ How to start trusting your inner compass again—without fear
→ Why questioning doesn't make you rebellious (it makes you brave)
The truth that will change everything: You can't heal what you can't name. Once you have language for your experience, everything can start to shift.
Action Step: Pay attention to how different spiritual messages make you feel in your body. Does this make you feel closer to God or farther away? Does it leave you with hope or with shame?
Healing Truth: Your confusion isn't rebellion. Your questions aren't lack of faith. Often, it's your soul recognizing that something claiming to represent God was actually misrepresenting Him.
🎧 Ready to go deeper?
→ Take the free quiz at ReligiousTraumaQuiz.com to discover your personalized healing path and get a bonus 3-part audio series
→ Grab your copy of He Is Enough at HeIsEnoughBook.com — your redemptive memoir and healing guide plus audiobook, mini-course, weekly reading circles, and support community for just $17
Have questions or want to connect?
Email Debra at: [email protected]
Listener Love: If this episode helped you feel less alone, would you share it with someone who needs this gentle truth? And a quick review on Apple Podcasts is like a virtual hug that helps more women find their way here.
This isn't surface-level faith advice. It's soul-level restoration—designed for Christian women healing from religious trauma who long for inner peace, true connection with God, and the freedom to ask honest questions without fear.
Research Referenced: Slade, D., Smell, A., Wilson, E., & Drumsta, R. (2023). Percentage of U.S. adults suffering from religious trauma: A sociological study. Socio-Historical Examination of Religion and Ministry, 5(1), 1-28.