Healing from trauma created chaos in every area of my life.
In those early days I needed structure just to get through the day. Sometimes, I needed it just to get out of bed, take a shower, and remember to eat. Even now, rhythm keeps me grounded, it helps me stay steady when distractions or delays throw my day off track.
This week, I’m reflecting on how I found rhythm amid chaos.
To be honest, I once thrived in chaos because it was what I knew. My entire childhood was a series of unpredictable events that kept me on edge. I learned to anticipate the next blow, and when things were calm for too long, I’d almost feel lost. In a strange way, chaos became my rhythm, an exhausting, painful cycle that convinced me I was safest when I was braced for impact.
But even in that chaos, there was something redemptive stirring.
I talked to Jesus every day. I didn’t fully understand His love for me, but I knew I loved Him. Those quiet moments, whispered prayers under blankets, or sitting still in the dark were my first glimpses of peace.
When I finally began facing my childhood trauma, the chaos came roaring back.
My thoughts, emotions, and even my body seemed to be in constant conflict. I couldn’t always tell what was real and what was a flashback. I needed a plan to steady my soul.
That’s when I started building healthy rhythm.
In early recovery, I created simple routines to get through the day: wake up, shower, eat breakfast, journal, rest. Later, during an outpatient program, every minute of the day was structured and for the first time, I relaxed enough to heal. Over time, I realized rhythm wasn’t just about control; it was about creating space for peace.
Today my rhythm looks different, but it’s just as essential.
Reading devotionals. Prayer. Eating well. Walking. Connecting with trusted friends. Resting. Creating. When I skip these things for too long, I feel it in my body, in my emotions, and in my spirit.
Your rhythm might look nothing like mine.
That’s okay. The point isn’t to copy someone else’s pace, it’s to find the one that helps you stay grounded and connected to God.
When life feels unsettled, here are three questions I ask myself to reset:
What am I doing to take care of my body?
What thoughts do I have about the day’s events, and how do I respond?
What am I feeding my mind and soul with—what I read, watch, and listen to?
Maybe you’re ready to find your own rhythm again. Start small. Start where you are. Let peace set your pace.
Faith in the Fog
I’m excited to share Faith In the Fog with you. It’s full of stories, reflections, tools, scriptures and resources that helped me heal and I hope they will help you move forward in your journey. Advance copies are available now and include a free Toolkit PDF. If you’ve already pre-ordered, thank you. If you haven’t yet, you can find it here.
Stay Connected
If you’d like to keep walking with me through updates, new tools, and reflections, and have access to a downloadable worksheet for each week’s Tool of the Week, you can join my list here.
Pray • Share • Give
If this reflection encouraged you, would you take a moment to:
– Pray — that Faith in the Fog finds its way into the hands of those who need its message of hope and healing and that I listen to God’s voice in all that I do.
– Share — this post with someone who might need the reminder that they’re not walking alone.
– Give — if you’d like to help make it possible for Faith in the Fog to reach those who need help navigating the fog of healing, you can do that here.