One Of The Best Things I've Ever Done

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One of the hardest things I’ve ever done was to reach out for help.
 
One of the best things I’ve ever done was to reach out for help.
 
For years, I hid my pain from others.
 
Shame silenced me.

I tried to distract myself and numb the pain through busyness, chasing perfectionism, people-pleasing, and self-injury.
 
I hid my pain from others, but I couldn’t hide my pain from God.
 
Despite my anger, questions, and doubts, He continued to love me.
 
He listened.
 
He comforted me.
 
He gave me the courage to break the silence and share my pain with others.

I still remember how nervous I was driving to my first support group for survivors of sexual abuse.
 
I still remember sitting in my car in the parking lot and being overcome with fear.
 
I still remember how hard it was to walk through the front doors for that first meeting.
 
But I also remember that at the end of that meeting, the shame didn’t feel as overwhelming. I felt a little lighter. For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel alone in my pain. A glimmer of hope started to pierce through the darkness.
 
During this 10-week support group, God started to mend the broken pieces of my heart. This was the first step in my healing journey, and 9 years later, I’m still on that journey.
 
Since then, God has helped me walk through the doors of a counselor’s office, and He has also led me to another group: Restoration: Beauty From Ashes.

Restoration is an 11-week Bible study and support group for women who have experienced sexual abuse (at any age). Instead of focusing on the details of the abuse, we focus on the impact that the abuse has on our lives.  
 
I’ve learned that even though our stories are different, survivors of sexual abuse often struggle with similar issues, such as: shame, guilt, depression, anxiety, fear, anger, bitterness, low self-esteem, and difficulty trusting others / maintaining relationships.
 
God has used the Restoration: Beauty From Ashes group to reveal truth to me about the abuse I experienced and truth about my identity.
 
In this safe, confidential, supportive, and loving community:

• God took away my guilt and He reminded me that the abuse was not my fault.

 

• He took away my feelings of worthlessness and He reminded me that I’m loved.

 

• He took away my doubts and He reminded me that I can always trust Him.

 

• He took away my anger and He gave me peace.

 

• He took away the shame that used to silence me and He gave me back my voice.

Now, I have the privilege of being a leader in the Restoration ministry.
 
God brought hope, healing, and redemption to my story.
 
He can do the same for you.
 
All you have to do is reach out for help.

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If you are a woman and sexual abuse (at any age) is part of your story, know that the Restoration: Beauty From Ashes ministry is here to support you.
 
For more information about Restoration: Beauty From Ashes send me a private message or click here.