Rooted in Hope: Integrating Scripture with Trauma Therapy

This Sunday at Cypress Church, Pastor Jackson opened a new series called Turning the Tide—a heartfelt exploration of how to move from a life marked by worry, anxiety, and fear to one rooted in joy, peace, and purpose. As I sat listening, I was struck by how closely his message aligns with what I see every day in my own practice as a grief and trauma therapist. Pastor Jackson’s words were more than a sermon; they were an invitation to recognize the cycle of stress we all experience and to take concrete, faith-anchored steps toward healing.

The Cycle of Worry Pastor Jackson Described

In his message, Pastor Jackson was refreshingly honest: if he listed the things he’s “really good at,” worrying would be near the top. Many of us can relate. We worry about our children, our health, our finances, and our future. We may even worry that we’re not worrying enough! He pointed to the rising rates of anxiety, depression, and self-harm across our communities—especially among students—and reminded us that many of our physical ailments are linked to unhealthy ways of coping with stress. This is exactly what I encounter in my clinical work: unresolved emotional pain showing up as sleeplessness, chronic tension, compulsive behaviors, or burnout.

Pastor Jackson illustrated a powerful “cycle of worry”: life happens → thoughts flood our minds → lies sneak in (often negative self-talk or distorted beliefs) → stress and fear build → life happens again. Without intervention, the cycle repeats. This resonates deeply with trauma therapy. When the nervous system learns to expect threat, it can get “stuck” in fight, flight, or freeze. Our minds loop on the worst-case scenarios, and our bodies respond as if danger is always near.

Control Is a Figment—But Choice Is Real

A core truth from the sermon was that control is a figment of our imagination. We cannot control when life “happens.” We can, however, decide how we will respond to the thoughts that follow. Pastor Jackson drew from 2 Corinthians: “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” This is not about suppressing feelings but about noticing them, naming them, and then measuring them against what is true. In therapy we call this cognitive reframing—learning to catch the automatic thought before it spirals, to separate facts from fear, and to replace distorted beliefs with compassionate, reality-based ones. For Christian clients, Scripture can be a powerful standard for that reframing.

• Four Habits to “Turn the Tide” - In the second half of his message, Pastor Jackson offered four practical habits. From a clinical perspective, they line up beautifully with evidence-based practices for anxiety and trauma recovery:

• Go to God ahead of time - Decide in advance that prayer will be your first response, not your last resort. This echoes mindfulness and grounding: establishing a baseline of calm before the crisis hits. For believers, prayer or meditating on Scripture also strengthens a sense of secure attachment to God—an antidote to fear.

• Remember who you are - Pastor Jackson warned that whatever we base our identity on—children, career, relationships—has the greatest power to make us anxious when it’s threatened. In therapy we talk about building a stable self: a sense of worth not dependent on circumstances. For Christians, Romans 8 provides that anchor: nothing can separate us from God’s love.

• Schedule faith-building exercises - Just as we schedule workouts for our bodies, we need routines that strengthen our spirits. This could be Sunday worship, a daily gratitude practice, nature walks, or listening to uplifting music on your commute. Research shows that deliberate rituals of meaning reduce stress hormones and increase resilience.

• Crowd out worry with gratitude - Gratitude and fear cannot easily coexist. Naming what is good right now shifts the nervous system out of threat mode into safety. Pastor Jackson cited Philippians 4: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything… thank Him for all He has done.” From a trauma-informed lens, gratitude activates the brain’s “rest and digest” pathways, helping us feel grounded in the present instead of lost in “what if.”

Why This Matters for Grief and Trauma Recovery

At Teal Saguaro Wellness, we work with clients who are grieving losses, recovering from trauma, or simply trying to navigate the pressures of modern life. Many feel exactly what Pastor Jackson described: constantly “on,” over-informed, unable to shut off. Smartphones and social media give us instant access to every tragedy on the planet while robbing us of rest. Grief and trauma intensify this because the nervous system is already raw. Without intentional practices, stress compounds.

What’s hopeful about Pastor Jackson’s sermon—and about the therapeutic process—is that change is possible. The cycle of worry is not inevitable. By learning new skills, cultivating supportive community, and deepening our spiritual roots, we can experience greater peace even when circumstances don’t immediately change. I often tell clients: healing isn’t erasing your story; it’s learning to hold it differently.

Practical Ways to Integrate the Sermon Into Daily Life

Here are a few concrete suggestions, blending Pastor Jackson’s four habits with trauma-informed care:

• Morning centering. Before checking your phone, spend 3–5 minutes in prayer, slow breathing, or reading a calming verse. This pre-loads your nervous system with stability for the day.

• Thought journaling. When anxious thoughts arise, jot them down and label each as “fact,” “fear,” or “lie.” Then write a replacement statement rooted in truth. This mirrors “taking thoughts captive.”

• Identity check-ins. Ask yourself weekly: “Where am I rooting my worth this week?” If you notice it’s leaning toward something fragile—work, numbers, others’ approval—gently return to the reminder of God’s unshakeable love.

• Faith-building micro-rituals. Pastor Jackson mentioned a student who listens to worship music on his walk to class. Small, consistent rituals like that accumulate over time.

• Gratitude lists. Each evening, write three specific things you’re thankful for. This can be as simple as “sunlight on my face” or “a text from a friend.” Over weeks, your brain learns to scan for safety instead of threat.

For those carrying significant trauma or loss, these practices are not a replacement for therapy but a complement to it. Sometimes the most courageous step you can take is to sit with a trained professional and begin untangling the pain.

A Shared Mission: Turning the Tide Together

One of the most moving parts of Pastor Jackson’s message was his passion for the next generation. He named the heartbreaking reality of student suicides in nearby schools and declared, “I’m sick of seeing the enemy win.” As a therapist, I echo that lament. Every week I meet teens and adults who feel crushed by anxiety, disoriented by loss, or convinced they’re alone. Yet I also see remarkable resilience when people are given the tools, the support, and the hope they need.

Pastor Jackson framed it as holding the baton for this generation—fighting not just for ourselves but for our kids, our grandkids, and our neighbors. That is exactly how I see my work at Teal Saguaro Wellness: equipping people to break cycles of trauma and cultivate emotional and spiritual wellness that can ripple through families and communities.

An Invitation

If Pastor Jackson’s sermon resonated with you, know that you’re not alone. Anxiety, grief, and trauma are not signs of weakness; they’re human responses to overwhelming life events. And just as faith communities can offer encouragement and truth, therapy can provide a safe space to process pain, learn new skills, and experience healing.

At Teal Saguaro Wellness, our approach is holistic—we look at the mind, body, and spirit together. Whether you’re navigating a recent loss, feeling stuck in anxiety, or simply longing for more peace in your daily life, we’re here to walk alongside you.

Call us at 614-647-HELP to schedule a consultation. Together we can “turn the tide” and move toward the joy, peace, and purpose God intends for your life.