Do You Have a Trauma Response to Your Next Level?

By Robert Lowery III

Have you ever felt called to something greater like writing a book, launching a business, stepping into leadership but the moment you try to act on it, you’re suddenly overwhelmed, anxious, or paralyzed by fear? That hesitation might not be laziness or a lack of clarity. It might be a trauma response.

What we often don’t realize is that purpose can trigger pain. Many people pray for promotion but are silently panicking when it shows up. That fear, that resistance, that sudden urge to shrink—it’s not always a sign that you’re not ready. Sometimes, it’s a sign that you’re confronting the internal barriers you haven’t yet healed from. Your next level will always confront the parts of you still holding on to your last season.

There are three core beliefs I’ve seen both in my own life and in the lives of those I coach that keep people stuck. These beliefs are subtle, and they often sound reasonable. But they are rooted in pain, not truth.

Belief #1 “I need to be fully healed before I start.”

 On the surface, this sounds responsible. Spiritual. Wise. But in many cases, it’s simply fear in disguise. We tell ourselves things like, “I’ll share my story when I’m more confident,” or “I’ll write that book once I’ve worked through everything.” But healing often happens in the doing. Your movement might be your medicine. Just like the lepers Jesus healed as they went, many of us will only find clarity, courage, and confidence when we choose to step out first. God doesn’t need you to be perfect to be impactful He just needs you to be obedient.

Belief # 2 “If I succeed, I’ll be rejected or attacked.” 

This is the fear of visibility, rooted in childhood wounds or past betrayals where being seen meant being hurt. And so, we play small. Not because we lack vision, but because we fear exposure. We convince ourselves that rising means losing our circle or becoming a target. We’d rather be underwhelming and accepted than elevated and alone. But the truth is, God didn’t call you to stay hidden. He’s not promoting you to embarrass you He’s positioning you to be a light. You are no longer that child who was unprotected. You are covered, called, and capable.

Belief # 3 “I’m not the right person for this.”

 This is shame dressed up as humility. You might think, “I’m not qualified,” “Someone else can say it better,” or “My past disqualifies me.” But here’s the truth: God doesn’t call the perfect He calls the willing. And when you let shame speak louder than your assignment, you end up burying the very gift that was meant to free someone else. Just like the servant in the parable who buried his one talent out of fear, we often convince ourselves that hiding is humility, when it’s really disobedience.

But God doesn’t need your perfection. He needs your surrender. You are not disqualified. In fact, you are distinctly equipped not in spite of your journey, but because of it. Your scars don’t discredit you. They give you credibility. Someone is waiting for your voice, your wisdom, your story. And they’ll never get what they need if you keep shrinking back.

So if the thought of your next level makes you want to retreat, don’t take that as a sign to stop. Take it as a sign to rise. Fear isn’t always a red flag it’s often a signal that you’re closer than you think. Your healing isn’t just for you. Your obedience becomes someone else’s breakthrough. So don’t wait until you feel fearless. Don’t wait until you feel ready. Take the step anyway. Because when you move, Heaven moves with you. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be willing.

If you’re ready to take that step but you’re not sure where to start, let’s talk. Book a free 15-minute call and I’ll help you identify the story God wants to use in you. This isn’t just a call, it’s your confirmation. Click here to schedule your free story breakthrough session now.

BOOK YOUR FREE CALL