Embracing Scripture after Religious Trauma

Guest Bios

Show Transcript

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fp0ljJr38FQPsalm 23 is a powerful psalm, reminding us that the Lord is our shepherd. Yet for those who have been hurt by their earthly shepherds—their pastors—the Psalm can sound trite or even off-putting. And sadly, this reality often keeps victims of religious trauma from the very Scriptures that can provide healing.

In this episode of The Roys Report—Julie explores this issue with K.J. Ramsey, author of The Lord is My Courage: Stepping Through the Shadows of Fear Toward the Voice of Love.

Though K.J. experienced a loving shepherd growing up, she and her husband later served in a toxic church with a narcissistic and abusive pastor. This experience left K.J. with deep wounds—and an aversion to much of Scripture.

Yet she found a safe place in Psalm 23. And as she began reading and studying the passage, she began hearing the loving voice of Jesus. She also began to realize that some of the things she’d learned about the passage were false.

In this podcast, K.J. tells her journey of pain and trauma—but also of healing and renewed intimacy with God.

K.J. also shares insights from her training as a trauma-informed counselor. She explains how stress leaves many of us in states of dysregulation, but how the Holy Spirit functions as a “coregulator,” bringing us back to health.

Tune in for a fascinating and rich discussion on these important themes.

This Weeks Guests

K.J. Ramsey

K.J. Ramsey is a trauma-informed licensed professional counselor and writer whose work offers space to see every part of our souls and stories as sacred. She holds degrees from Covenant College and Denver Seminary and is the author of This Too Shall Last. Her writing has been published in Christianity Today, RELEVANT, The Huffington Post, Health Central, Catalyst, and Fathom Magazine on the integration of theology, psychology, and spiritual formation. She and her husband, Ryan, live near Denver, Colorado. Connect with K.J. online at kjramsey.com and across social media @kjramseywrites.

Show Transcript

SPEAKERS – KJ RAMSEY, JULIE ROYS

JULIE ROYS 00:03Psalm 23 is meant to be a comforting Psalm reminding us that the Lord is our shepherd. It for those who have been hurt by their earthly shepherds, their pastors, the psalm can sound trite or even scary. Yet my guest today, a survivor of church hurt, seeks to redeem that.

Welcome to The Roys Report, a podcast dedicated to reporting the truth and restoring the church. I’m Julie Roys. And joining me today is KJ Ramsey, author of The Lord Is My Courage. It’s a deeply moving and powerful book by someone who’s experienced some of the best and the worst that the church has to offer. Though KJ’s first experience in the church was with a loving Shepherd, she and her husband later served in a mega church with a narcissistic and abusive pastor. KJ tells her story in the pages of her book, while walking us through the truths and deep comfort found in Psalm 23. KJ also brings her training and experience as a trauma-informed counselor into her writing, and she opens up windows of understanding and healing while exploring the landscape of fear, trauma, and faith. Courage is not the absence of anxiety; KJ writes in her book. Instead, it’s a practice of trusting we will be held and loved no matter what. This is such a profoundly healing and needed book and I’m so excited to have KJ join me.

But before we dive in, I’d like to thank the sponsors of this podcast, Judson University, and Marquardt of Barrington. Judson University is a top ranked Christian University providing a caring community and an excellent college experience. Plus, the school offers more than sixty majors great leadership opportunities and strong financial aid. Judson University is shaping lives that shap