When “Just Have Faith” Hurts: Why You Might Need Something Deeper

Get more content on Trauma-Informed Spiritual care on your socials through Instagram, Tik-Tok, and Facebook

If you've ever been told to “just have faith” while you were struggling, and it left you feeling dismissed or even more confused—you’re not alone.

In trauma-informed spiritual counseling, we recognize that faith isn’t something you can simply flip on like a light switch. Especially if you’ve experienced psychological or religious trauma, you may find yourself asking hard but honest questions:“What do I believe?”“Can I really trust God again?”“Where is the evidence for the faith I’m being told to have?”

These are valid questions. And they deserve more than quick, rehearsed answers.

Truthfully, phrases like:

• “Just believe”

• “Have hope”

• “Have faith”

  
  

—while familiar in many spiritual communities—can sometimes do more harm than good. They often assume you're ready to fully trust again, without acknowledging what you’ve been through.

And for some, these words are not just unhelpful—they’re harmful.Because we also know that “just have faith” has been used by manipulative or deceptive leaders to silence questions, demand loyalty, and discourage discernment. When belief becomes a tool to control rather than a path to healing, it leaves deep wounds. And those wounds don’t go away just because someone quotes scripture.

Here’s what we mean when we say our approach is different:

• Faith is a roadmap. It gives direction, shaped by what you believe about God and yourself.

• Hope is the energy to move forward, the expectation that healing is possible.

But if trauma has shaken your foundation, being told to “just have faith” can feel like being handed a map to a place you no longer believe exists.

“For those who are strong in faith or deeply indoctrinated, their belief system can often adapt to accommodate their faith. However, for individuals who have experienced psychological trauma, ensuring safety is a priority. These individuals may be reluctant to believe in something they have not yet seen. Faith is described as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen, but ‘substance’ refers to the basis upon which we place our trust.When the true meaning of faith has not been deeply ingrained in a person’s heart, they may question, ‘Where is the merit or substance on which I am supposed to have faith?’”

If this is where you find yourself, you are not broken. You are simply trying to heal in a way that honors your story.

Our trauma-informed spiritual counseling is designed for people like you—people who need space to question, who crave safety before certainty, and who are open to reconnecting with God at a pace that respects their pain.

You don’t have to rush. You don’t have to fake it.

You also don’t have to blindly follow leaders who claim to speak for God but fail to reflect His love.

Here, your questions are welcome. Your doubts are seen. Your safety comes first. And your healing matters—because God cares more about your restoration than your performance.

Know exactly what you're getting with our mental health programs when you click here.

Learn more about Flamingo at next month's webinar. RSVP here

Conscious Coore is a trauma-informed spiritual care educator and the founder of Flamingo Trauma Recovery. With over a decade of experience, she blends biblical wisdom with therapeutic care to help individuals heal after trauma. Through her work, Conscious empowers clients to rebuild faith at their own pace, offering a safe space for transformation.

To learn more about trauma-informed spiritual counseling or to explore upcoming programs, visit consciouscoore.com

Email at conscious@flamingorecovery.0rg