Survivors Healed

[survivorshealed]

She was Seen

There is a reason you survived. And it’s time to heal. She Was Seen is more than a devotional - it is a sacred space. For every person who have ever felt overlooked, unheard, or invisible. This is where your healing begins.

Inside you will find Holy Spirit led reflections and prompts meant to guide you back to the truth - reminding you that El Roi, the God who sees, has never taken His eyes off you.

Undergirded by Hagar’s story in Genesis 16 and 21, this book was written for you. Because your story matters. And your healing starts now. You are not forgotten. You are not alone. And you were never meant to carry this pain in silence. Grab your ebook at https://Stan.store/cakecarlisle

She Was Seen Paperback and Kindle

#Godseesme

[survivorshealed]

Domestic Violence is REAL! While many suffer in silence, help is available. There are many forms of domestic violence: physical, mental, emotional, financial, etc. And while October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, every day should be Domestic Violence Awareness.

If you or someone you love is in danger, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit: TheHotline.org.

[survivorshealed]

Happy Mother's Day

#youareloved #youarespecial #youarebeautiful #youareworthit

[survivorshealed]

Speak Your Truth

Speaking your truth is so liberating. Being heard is freeing. As I watched, last month, Meghan Markle on Oprah Winfrey’s interview speak her truth, I saw loads come off her as she soon so much truth about systemic injustices and blatant racism. I am thankful that she was able to step away. There is no need for any of us to hide or pretend. Confession is good for the soul and if we are honest with ourselves we would admit that there is much to confess. Open your mouth and speak your truth. Even if no one is listening, get it out in the open. Speak!

[survivorshealed]

Journey to Holiness

[survivorshealed]

Healing is A Process

One of the most challenging times for survivors of domestic violence is when the abusive relationship ends.  Long after external, visible wounds have healed, there are internal, invisible, yet manifested wounds.  The aftereffects of survivoring domestic violence could leave residue of anger, denial, guilt, shame, low self esteem, unforgiveness, grief, just to name a few.  Healing is a process.you have to shed the layers.  Healing is a peeling an onion - it’s a process.  While peeling an onion, sometimes tears well up in our eyes but we press though the process because we desire to get to the edible, useful part of the onion.  So it is with healing.  As we unpack and deal with the aftereffects of domestic violence, one aftereffects at a time, there will be times when tears well up in our eyes or we cry uncontrollably at times, but if we push through the process, healing will come to fruition.  Here’s to a teary, eye process.

[survivorshealed]

Becoming

Me: Hello God.

God: Hello...

Me: I’m falling apart. Can you put me back together?

God: I'd rather not.

Me: Why?

God: Because you're not a puzzle.

Me: What about all the pieces of my life that fall to the ground?

God: Leave them there for a while. They fell for a reason. Let them be there for a while and then decide if you need to take any of those pieces back.

Me: You don't understand! I'm breaking!

God: No, you don't understand. You're transcending, evolving.

What you feel are growing pains. You're getting rid of all things in your life that are holding you back. The pieces are not falling down. The pieces are being put in place. Relax! Take a deep breath and let those things you no longer need fall down. Stop clinging to pieces that are no longer for you. Let them fall. Let them go.

Me: Once I start doing that, what will I have left?

God: Only the best pieces of yourself.

Me: Change can be uncomfortable.

God: I keep telling you: YOU'RE NOT CHANGING! YOU'RE BECOMING!

Me: Becoming, Who?

God: Becoming who I created you to be! A person of light, love, charity, hope, courage, joy, mercy, grace and compassion. I made you for so much more than those pieces you decided to adorn yourself with and that you cling to with so much uncertainty. Let those things fall off you. I love you! Don't change! Become! Don't change! Become! Become who I want you to be, who I created. I'm gonna keep telling you this until you remember.

Me: There goes another piece.

God: Yes. Let it be like this.

Me: So... I'm not broken?

God: No, but you're breaking the darkness, like dawn. It's a new day. Become!! Become who you really are!!"

I surrender all🙌🏾

Original Author:John Roedel

[survivorshealed]

[survivorshealed]

Encouragement for Today

God has not abandoned His people. God is with you. God desires that you and I come closer to Him in prayer and in worship. Rest on God’s promise. “Do not yield to fear, for I am always near. Never turn your gaze from me,[a] for I am your faithful God. I will infuse you with my strength and help you in every situation.[b]I will hold you firmly with my victorious right hand.”(TPT)

[survivorshealed]

Prayer for Those Being Abused During the Quarantine

Let’s pray this out loud:

Father, in the name of Jesus, I come boldly before Your Throne to find help in times of need.  There are many people sheltered-in-place with their abuser. I lift them to You. Thank You that You are omnipresent and I pray for a manifestation of Your Presence in every home.  I pray, Holy Spirit, that You will do a work in the heart of perpetrators of violence.  Reveal to them their internal issues and childhood trauma that they have not addressed.  Perform open heart surgery. I pray that You take out the heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh.  Let every woman know her worth and that she is fearfully and wonderfully made.  I seal this prayer in Jesus name.  Amen

[survivorshealed]

Creating A Safety Plan

Tips for creating a safety plan Safety During a Violent Situation Victims cannot always avoid violence. To increase safety, it is important to plan what action to take during a violent situation. What will you do? * If I have to communicate with my partner and suspect that we may have an argument, I will try to move to a space that is lowest risk, such as ________________________. (Try to avoid arguments in rooms without an access to the outside or in rooms where injury is more likely such as the bathroom, the kitchen or on the stairs.) * I will use __________ as my code word with my children/family/friends so they can call for help should violence ensue. * I will tell the following people about my situation and request they call the police if they hear suspicious noises coming from my home. 1. _____________ 2. _____________ 3. _____________ 4. _____________ * In a situation where I need to exit quickly, I will leave by using ______________ (the back door, stair well, elevator or window). * I will keep my purse and car keys ready and put them________________ so that I can leave quickly. * When I leave my home, I will go______________________________________. Safety When Preparing to Leave Safety is extremely important when preparing to leave the abuser. Leaving home must be done with a careful plan to increase safety. What will you do if you decide to leave home? * I will leave copies of important documents, an extra set of keys, money and extra clothes with ____________________, so that I can leave quickly. * I will have the following important phone numbers accessible to myself and children: * Contact Number * __________________ ____________ * __________________ ____________ * __________________ ____________ * __________________ ____________ * I will check with ____________________ and____________________ to see if I could stay with them in an emergency situation. * I will seek shelter by calling my local domestic violence program at (___)____________. * When I leave, I will need to take: * — identification (driver’s license) * — Social Security cards for all family members * — birth certificates for all family members * — school and vaccination records for children * — medication * — medical records * — divorce/custody papers * — work permits/green cards/passports * — money/check book/ATM card * — house and/or car keys * — lease/rental agreement * — other items: ____________________ ____________________ Safety in My Home Safety is important even if the abuser does not live with you. What will you do to ensure your own safety and your children’s safety? * I will change the locks on the following doors as soon as possible:_______________, _______________ _______________. * I will install a security system. * I will install an outside lighting system that lights up when a person is coming close to my home. * I will change my phone number to an unlisted number. * I will teach my children to _____________________________ when I am not home. * I will inform ____________________ and ____________________ that my partner no longer resides with me and they should call the police if he/she is observed near my home

[survivorshealed]

During the global pandemic of Coronavirus (COVID-19), we have been told to shelter-in-place in  the safety of our homes - but what if our homes are not safe? What do you do if you are confined to the most dangerous place - your home?  Statistics reveal that domestic violence has increased.  Women and children are sheltering-in-place with their abuser.  As an agency that advocates against domestic violence, many of us are not seeing clients in person due to Coronavirus (COVID-19); nonetheless, help is still available.  You can text/call us at (706)0 617-8962 24/7 or contact us at survivors4survivors.org.  The National Domestic Violence Hotline telephone number is 1-800-799-7233 or you can log onto thehotline.org or text LOVEIS to 22522.  We are here for you. You are not alone.

[survivorshealed]

Take The Mask Off

The month of October is considered Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  There are usually numerous activities, walks, panel discussions and testimonial services during the month of October.  I posit that Domestic Violence is an epidemic and need to be addressed 7 days @ week, 24 hours @ day, 365 days @ year.   

The above picture is entitled, ““Facing Reality”.  Let’s face the reality that 1 out of every 3 women is being battered.  Let’s face the reality that hurt people hurt people.  Let’s find a way to help perpetrators of violence take the mask off and deal with their own internal, emotional issues.  Let’s make space conducive for sharing and establish support groups within our local churches.  Yes! Within our local churches.  Some brother or sister within your local church is being battered or is the perpetrator of the violence.  There is a stigma in silence.  

Let’s face the reality that human trafficking is a $150 billion dollar industry operating under the radar in our cities and states.  Human trafficking is the modern day slavery.  

Let us stand in the gap for our women and girls.  Let us open our mouths and say something.  Let us walk along side women and girls in their healing process.  Let us share our stories and become transparent.  

2Corinthians 1:3-5 All praise go to God, Father of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One.  He is the Father of compassion, the God of all comfort.  He consoles us as we endure the pain and hardship of life so that we may draw from His comfort and share it with others in their own struggles.

[survivorshealed]

NCADV Statement on R. Kelly’s Indictment

‌ ‌ ‌ Statement on R. Kelly's Indictment The National Coalition Against Domestic VIolence (NCADV) applauds the Cook County grand jury who handed down 10 indictments today against R. Kelly for aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving four victims. Per Kim Foxx, Cook County State’s Attorney, aggravated criminal sexual abuse is a Class 2 felony, which carries a sentence of three to seven years. “We are so encouraged by a system that is taking the steps to hold this man accountable for his behaviors against the girls and women he has hurt,” said Ruth Glenn, President/CEO of NCADV. “Believing survivors is the first step in providing justice and resolution for them.” NCADV has frequently spoken out about the need for society to raise the bar and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions, most recently  on Kelly himself. After the release of the #SurvivingRKelly documentary by Lifetime, NCADV released a statement stressing, “[Kelly] stalked and chose his victims and his staff set up meetings during which he used his fame, power and control to sexually, emotionally and physically abuse them. Most remarkably, his targets were young black girls and women, a group especially marginalized and hidden -- over 90% of women and girls of color have been hurt by those who claim to love and care for them.” Society’s oversexualization and oppression of black women increases the victimization of young black women by predators like Kelly. The pain and suffering these young women and their families endured for over two decades is staggering. As a culture, we must break through our societal denial about the power and privilege that abusers capitalize on to harm victims. National Coalition Against Domestic Violence | [phone] | E-mail | Website

[survivorshealed]

It takes Work!

There are so many people who would rather stay in the situation they are in and make excuses, than do the work necessary for healing!  Healing takes work!  Every day I experience people who say they are sick and tired of being sick and tired; yet, when the opportunity arises for initiating healing and change, they have excuses.  This is one of the most difficult conundrums for those of us who live, breathe, and advocate healing for humankind.  What will it take for you to be healed? How bad do you want it?  Healing takes work!  It’s progressive!  It’s ongoing!  But you first have to start.....

[survivorshealed]

I was made for more than being stuck in a vicious cycle of defeat. I am not made to be a victim of my poor choices. I was made to be a victorious child of God..

Lysa Terkeurst

[survivorshealed]

On Broken Pieces

I am elated to announce the release of my book, On Broken Pieces.  It is available on amazon.com.  Below is a link. http://www.amazon.com/dp/1983941603 Are you living on broken pieces?  Do you know someone who is living on broken pieces? Broken, as a result of abuse, church hurt, sexual misconduct behavior, betrayal, loss of love one, relationship problems, or a plethora of other reasons. People who are living on the broken pieces of guilt, shame, denial, depression, anger, bitterness, grief, rejection, abandonment, and un-forgiveness.  Healing is available!  There is hope! In the 27th Chapter of the Book of Acts, Paul is enroute to Rome.  Paul, having been false accused and trunked up charges made against him, having been tried before Festus and Felix, having presented his defense before King Agrippa and Bernice, Paul appealed his case to Caesar.  Traveling by ship, Pau and the other 275 persons encountered a fierce storm and is shipwreck.  The boat broke into pieces.  The captain commanded those that could swim to jump overboard first and get to shore.  The captain commanded the rest to follow, some on board, some on planks, and some on broken pieces o the ship.  All 276 persons made it safely to land.  I am convinced that God can build on broken pieces.  I have the faith that God can build on broken pieces. Isaac Carree said in his book, Service, that  God used his brokenness to mend so many others. It is my prayer that God does the same for those reading this book. Many people that need this book will not be looking for this book.  Why not purchase one for them and place it in their hands.   Here's to wholeness.