Exchanging Lies For Truth
Introduction: The Power of Beliefs
Every thought carries weight. After trauma, beliefs can either help us heal or keep us chained. For many survivors, the pain isn’t only about what happened—it’s about what they came to believe afterward: “It’s my fault,” “I can’t trust anyone,” “I’ll never be safe again.” These are not harmless thoughts; they are heavy chains.
CPT calls these distorted thoughts “stuck points.” They keep the mind looping back to trauma. Healing begins when we identify, challenge, and replace these lies with truth. Scripture speaks to this directly: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2, MEV).
How Trauma Distorts Beliefs
Trauma reshapes core beliefs in three main areas:
Beliefs about self: “I’m weak,” “I’m unlovable,” “I deserved it.”
Beliefs about others: “People can’t be trusted,” “Everyone will hurt me,” “Love is dangerous.”
Beliefs about the world: “The world is unsafe,” “Nothing good lasts,” “Life is meaningless.”
These beliefs take root and shape behavior long after the trauma has ended.
CPT’s Approach: Challenging the Lies
CPT uses structured questions to examine stuck points: Is this belief 100% true? What evidence supports it? What evidence contradicts it? Is it helpful to keep believing this? Over time, these questions weaken lies and make space for truth.
Biblical Example: The Israelites’ Fear
When the Israelites stood at the edge of the Promised Land, they believed the lie: “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are” (Numbers 13:31, MEV). Their distorted belief about themselves kept them wandering in the wilderness. Trauma can do the same—make us believe we’re powerless when God says otherwise.
Joshua and Caleb, however, challenged the stuck point: “Let us go up at once and possess it, for we are able to overcome it” (Numbers 13:30, MEV). Their faith reframed reality.
Practical Application: Replacing Lies with Truth
Write down a stuck point – A belief that keeps you chained.
Test it – What does Scripture say about this belief?
Replace it – Write a new statement rooted in God’s truth.
Repeat daily – Renewing the mind is an ongoing practice.
Reflection Questions
What false beliefs have you carried since your trauma?
How do these beliefs align or clash with God’s Word?
What truth from Scripture can you replace a lie with today?
Closing Thought
CPT offers tools to question and replace distorted beliefs. Scripture provides unshakable truth to anchor those new beliefs. Healing happens when we let God’s Word have the final say.
This is the fifth post in an Eight Part Series entitled Healing the Mind and Heart: How CPT Helps with PTSD Through a Biblical Lens. Please be sure to get the whole story by reading each post. I pray they are an encouragement to you.
Post 1: Don't Stay Stuck - God's Path vs. Satan's Trap
Post 2: Understanding PTSD Beyond the Battlefield
Post 3: Why Our Brains Get Stuck in Trauma
Post 4: Quieting the Inner Alarm
Post 5 The Role of Beliefs in Trauma Recovery
Post 6: Natural vs Manufactured Emotions After Trauma
Post 7: The First Step Toward Healing – The Impact Statement
Post 8: Healing the Brain to Heal the Heart
Check back weekly for the next post.
