I had a wonderful Healing Hearts counselor who had a similar past as I did and this was very important to me because everyone doesn’t quite understand what you may be experiencing. My parents had a very troubled marriage and as a result, they did not invest the necessary time and nurturing into my brother and me that any young child needs. Moreover, I also endured sexual abuse at an early age. These experiences along with my parents’ emotional neglect caused a lot of damage. Not only did I battle feelings of being unloved, my worth or value was never validated by anyone. As the sexual abuse continued, I longed for that special attention from my abusers, even though I knew it was wrong. These experiences impacted every area of my life for years and years to come. I wasn’t confident. I felt ashamed of who I was. I had tremendous difficulty establishing and maintaining appropriate boundaries in my relationships. I did everything ’I’ knew to do to get better, but years continued to pass and there were no significant, lasting changes.
Through a series of events, someone introduced me to Healing Hearts and I was ready, hopeful for a new ’me’ to emerge. I’ll admit, a part of me was doubtful because I felt like I had literally tried everything and why would this study be any different? Anyway, I went forward with the study, had some painful days and after a few weeks, I wondered if I would really feel any better. However, Sue’s story and my counselor’s story gave me hope. If they can be ’healed,’ why can’t I? Well, as the study began to close, I specifically remember feeling better and different as a whole! I don’t know how the Lord did it, but He ’healed’ me too! I’m different in so many ways! I find that I’m still discovering differences as I engage different people and different situations. I see myself in new ways. I no longer wonder about my value or worth and I know more deeply than ever how much God loves me! The new ’me’ is finally emerging and I am eternally grateful for the transformation! I strongly recommend this study to any woman who is struggling with any pain from her past. As you lean in to ’touch the hem of His garment,’ The Lord Jesus will truly heal you from the inside out as you study His Word and do what He tells you to do! Be encouraged - real healing is possible!
