A journey through trauma to renewed purpose

After surviving a near-death experience, John Alan Sebald expected the hardest part of his journey to be behind him. Instead, he found himself facing an unseen battle. In that darkness, God brought light through compassionate care, deeper understanding, and a renewed purpose. He shares his story here.

Dear Friend,

I’m sharing my story with people like you who support the mental health ministry of CFS, so you can better understand the impact of helping others.

My story begins on Valentine’s Day 2021 when I nearly died on my kitchen floor. I know that sounds dramatic. But I was minutes, if not moments, from being gone for good. Thanks to God’s grace and a long list of heroes, I’m a choking, cardiac arrest, and CPR survivor.

Not long after this event and an eight-day hospital stay (the first four in ICU), I found myself in an unexpected and complicated mental health battle that would change my life.

The definition of trauma is much broader and affects many more people than I imagined. Paul Conti, MD, describes trauma as anything that causes emotional or physical pain that surpasses our coping mechanisms and overwhelms our body and mind, leaving a lasting mark.

That was true for me.

I started having terrible nightmares along with vivid, violent daydreams. My pulse would race over ninety beats per minute for days on end. I was anxious and afraid. I struggled to focus. I felt constant worry and hopelessness. Everything was hard.

I truly believed I was crazy, that I was alone, and that no one could understand what I was going through.

Through all of this, I kept wondering, “What’s wrong with me?” Was it a moral or character defect? If my faith was strong enough, if I tried hard enough, shouldn’t I be getting better?

I was referred to CFS.

Roughly six months later, I finally reached out to my pastor for help. That’s when he connected me to CFS.

My CFS counselor was an incredible blessing from God. I found care, compassion, and a better understanding of how God created our brains to respond to trauma.

I’m sharing my story for several reasons.

First, CFS was there for me when I was at rock bottom. I can’t imagine where I’d be today without my therapist and the support I received. If you’ve supported CFS, you’re part of my story.

Second, there are hundreds, maybe thousands of people just like me who are struggling. They need to know they’re not alone. They need help, hope, and healing from someone they can trust. Someone qualified to help with their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Here’s the rest of my story.

It’s now been five years since I nearly choked to death. (I now call it the Valentine’s Day Miracle.) With deep gratitude for the people who helped me recover, including my friends at CFS, I’ve made it my mission to support people who have dedicated their lives to making a difference.

That mission led to a book I recently published, LIVE AGAIN! The Road Back from Burnout, Brokenness, and the Battles No One Sees, written under the pen name John Alan. It became a top new release on Amazon in the post-traumatic stress category.

Think about it. Friends like you helped me, so I could, in turn, help others. How remarkable is that?

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your kindness and generosity. I can’t wait to hear the stories of how God uses you to help others heal.

With gratitude in Jesus,
John Alan Sebald
Wauwatosa, WI
June 2026

We are grateful to our partner congregations and our donors who help make care accessible to more people.

Read John Alan’s Book

After walking through trauma, burnout, and recovery, John shares practical encouragement for anyone feeling overwhelmed or stuck. His story offers hope, resilience, and a path forward for those navigating life’s hardest seasons.

You can learn more or purchase by clicking here or searching for LIVE AGAIN! by John Alan on Amazon.