It’s only been in recent years that post-traumatic stress has been diagnosed for anyone other than those in the military who served in a war zone. But, doctors have realized that any life altering experience can cause the same effects, whether it be an accident or abuse. My divorce papers in 1989 stated the cause of the divorce as extreme cruelty. As I interviewed multiple counselors over the years as I researched my articles and my book, Home Should Be Safe: Hope and Help for Domestic Violence Victims, they told me that the symptoms I experienced would be diagnosed as PTSD today.
A lot of people I knew gave up on me because they didn’t know what to do with me. But, thankfully, my true friends stuck by me and God never gave up on me. In my last post, I shared how God healed me from all of that post-traumatic mess. That healing was the first step on my journey to wholeness. In my book, I share my full testimony and the visions of my healing that God gave me.
It has been 27 years since my divorce and God has blessed my journey in so many ways. We use to sing a song in church choir about God putting the pieces of our puzzle back together. I remember asking God how he could do that if all the pieces weren’t there anymore. God’s response was truly priceless. He said, “Child, I will simply build you a new puzzle.” And that is what he has done. God has built me a brand new life, one that is totally different.
Before I was insecure and had negative self-esteem. I couldn’t seem to move beyond mere survival. But as God’s healing progressed I grew spiritually and gained confidence. Over the years, by the grace and strength of God, I raised my two children and cared for my mother until she passed away. I have completed two college degrees and God is redesigning my career.
My brokenness was from spousal abuse, but God heals from all types of brokenness. It is God’s will for each of us to be whole. God took my brokenness, healed me, delivered me and built me a brand new life. Instead of walking through the rest of my life with a mental, emotional and spiritual limp, I now walk in God’s love and joy, filled with hope for my future in Christ.
If you are still suffering, if you are still broken, I encourage you to reach out to Jesus, right where you are, and ask him to “make the hurting go away”, as I did. Jesus is still the answer, the only answer. God created medicine and one of his disciples was a doctor. But, He wants us to know that you don’t have to settle.
If you need healing, if you need prayer, please respond to this post. If you have questions please ask them and I’ll do my best to answer.
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