It has been a long and weary journey for me as I have overcome many of the issues associated with being abused. I honestly wanted to hide it away in a dark closet and try to forget about it all. Wanting to be normal was my one goal in life.
But, I seemed to stick out like a sore thumb.
I wonder how many of you reading this feel the same. For me, to hide the truth about my past, ate me up from the inside out. I busied myself with many good things; being a wife and mom, being involved with church, my kids’ school and all their activities.
The toxic emotions on the inside would never allow me to enjoy any of it. It was never enough to heal the pain of betrayal, abandonment, the lies that it was all my fault, the daily questioning of
“What did I do wrong? What could I have done differently? Why can’t I be normal, move on, just forget about it?”
Then there is the fear that controls you. You wonder if
it…
will ever happen to you again. You do everything in your power to make sure your children are safe. You endure ridicule from those who are afraid of the truth. You are constantly aware of your faults and hope that no one ever finds out.
There are many paths that we take in life to become mature and whole. One of my paths was to face the truth instead of hiding behind it.
My story may be different from yours, but I hope and pray that because I dared to speak the truth that one person may be helped.
Breaking Free appears in this month’s (August 2010) issue of Lifeway’s Journey, A Woman’s Guide to Intimacy with God. If you have suffered abuse in any way, pick up a copy at most Baptist Church offices, or visit the link I have included.
God Bless,
Cindy
Congratulations, Cindy, on the article. I read about your blessing at The Writer's Den.
Grace and Peace,
Jean Hall
http://www.jeanmatthewhall.blogspot.com
Thank you so much Jean! and thank you for dropping by my blog.
I admire your strength and transparency! I know many people will be blessed by your story. I will follow your link and check it out!
Alisa
So thankful for your willingness to share your story….so thankful that God allowed our paths to cross in Bible study!
And each of our stories contribute to the one God is writing. Blessings and congratulations
Cindy, the Lord is empowering you with a message that will free the abused. You are a risk-taker that will open doors for those of us who have been hiding in the dark and steeping in false shame. May Christ’s uplifting blessings be present in you and your blog.
Thank you all so much ! You all have encouraged me during a time I wonder if what I am writing really matters. Please pray for me to continue on, doing the work God would have me to do, Being the person He created me to be…that I would have strength to continue sowing the seeds of peace, love, encouragement and joy. And I will lift you all up in my daily prayers. May the God of all Hope Bless All of you richly with all spiritual blessings, to do His will.