I recently placed an order for this book. The reason behind it is that my life skills coach and discipleship mentor has mentioned it on numerous occasions throughout the past few years that we have known each other.

I made the decision to read it as I was deeply pondering whether it was acceptable to unearth the secrets and hurts from the past. Now, I am firmly convinced that it is of great importance to vocalize them with a trustworthy person in order to achieve healing. I am not engaging in what psychologists term as "regression therapy," which is contrary to the teachings of the Bible.

What was lacking or taken away from me can be restored as I recognize these losses and acquire the skills that I was incapable of learning independently. I am evolving into an adult both emotionally and spiritually.

The book has affirmed what I am doing in several aspects. Firstly, it has made me realize that I am not alone in taking decades to disclose what truly occurred and that I couldn't progress in life without some form of assistance. It has shown me that others have embarked on a similar journey, over a leisurely period of time, moving towards the same destination of redemption, supernatural forgiveness, and a heart that is uncluttered and has the capacity to love others.

Another truth that repeatedly echoed in my mind as I read the book is how abundantly blessed I am. The Lover and Redeemer of my soul has made Himself known to me through the dear friends He has introduced into my life. They speak the truth to me, they guide me on the right path, and I am coming back to life.

Praise God for this book.

This remarkable book is truly a blessing from the Almighty. It contains profound wisdom and teachings that have the power to transform lives.

As we turn the pages, we are drawn into a world of inspiration and spiritual growth. The words within its covers speak directly to our hearts, guiding us on our journey of faith.

Each chapter is filled with valuable insights and practical applications that help us to better understand God's will for our lives. Whether we are seeking answers to life's questions or simply looking for a closer relationship with God, this book has something for everyone.

We are truly grateful to God for providing us with this wonderful resource. It is a source of comfort, strength, and hope in times of need.

Let us continue to praise God for this book and share its message with others, so that they too may experience the joy and peace that comes from knowing Him.

This is an absolutely beautiful book.

It is written by an author with a heart that loves greatly.

The book is very insightful when it comes to the many facets of the impact of abuse.

It delves deep into the various aspects of how abuse can affect a person's life, relationships, and mental well-being.

The author presents a comprehensive and nuanced view of this complex issue, providing valuable insights and perspectives.

Whether you have personal experience with abuse or simply want to understand it better, this book is a must-read.

It will touch your heart and open your eyes to the reality of abuse and its far-reaching consequences.

Overall, it is a remarkable work that offers both understanding and hope.

As a survivor, this book stands out as one of the absolute best I've ever come across on this particular topic. It's a work that I know I will return to and read multiple times. From the very outset, Diane restores to survivors two crucial elements that abuse cruelly strips away - choice and voice.

She gently encourages the reader to pause whenever their mind or body demands a break, and she has deliberately crafted the chapters to be short, making it easier for this to happen. She gives the reader the freedom to read the chapters out of order, depending on what they need to focus on at any given moment. Each chapter offers a precious opportunity for the reader to pen down their thoughts, questions, and more, thus giving words to their unique experience, their struggles, and their complex emotions.

She also provides valuable guidance and practical advice on how to take care of oneself while reading this book. And throughout every single chapter, she directs survivors towards the Redeemer. She artfully weaves scripture into each chapter, pointing to a Savior who intimately understands the harrowing experiences that survivors have endured. It's not just a random scattering of verses here and there; she takes the time to carefully unpack the scripture and slowly reveals what God has to say to survivors.

She invites survivors to grapple with the inevitable questions that sexual abuse raises - how could God allow this, is God truly good, how can I trust God, does God really love me, and so many others. At the same time, she is honest enough to admit that some of these questions may not have straightforward answers. As she writes, "I cannot explain to you the ways of God. I can tell you of the character of God, and it is there that you will find the treasures that are hidden in your darkness." (pg 193).

If you are a pastor, a counselor, or simply someone who desires to walk beside survivors on their healing journey, this book is an absolute must-read. And then, read it again.

If you are a survivor, when you are ready, seek out a safe, trusted friend or counselor and ask them to read this with you. Remember, healing is a long and arduous process, and we may not witness full and complete healing this side of Heaven, but healing is most definitely possible for you. If you can't bring yourself to believe it just yet, I'll hold that belief for you until you are able to.

It grieves me deeply that this book exists.

For within its pages, there may be stories of pain, suffering, and the darker aspects of the human experience. It makes my heart heavy to think that such things have occurred and been recorded.

Yet, it gives me hope that this book exists.

Perhaps within those same pages, there are also tales of courage, resilience, and the power of the human spirit to overcome. It shows that even in the face of great adversity, there is always the possibility of light and hope.

This book serves as a reminder that our world is complex and full of both beauty and sorrow. It challenges us to look beyond the surface and to see the deeper meaning and lessons that can be learned from it.

While it may bring grief, it also offers the opportunity for growth, understanding, and ultimately, hope.

Overall, this is a great introduction to the process of healing from sexual abuse and growing in faith within that context. It provides valuable insights and guidance for those who have experienced such trauma and are seeking spiritual support and growth.

However, it loses a point for recommending Focus on the Family. While this organization may have some positive aspects, it has also been criticized for its stance on certain social and political issues that may not be in line with the values and beliefs of all readers.

It is important to note that when seeking resources and support for healing from sexual abuse, it is crucial to do thorough research and consider multiple perspectives. What works for one person may not work for another, and it is essential to find resources that are both helpful and in line with one's own values and beliefs.

Despite this drawback, the overall content of the article is still valuable and can serve as a starting point for those on the journey of healing and growth.

I want to read.

Reading is a wonderful activity that can bring many benefits. It allows us to explore different worlds, gain knowledge, and expand our vocabulary.

When we read, we can immerse ourselves in a story, learn about different cultures and ideas, and improve our understanding of the world around us.

There are many different types of books to choose from, such as novels, biographies, self-help books, and more.

No matter what type of book you prefer, reading can be a great way to relax, unwind, and escape from the stresses of daily life.

So, if you want to improve your mind, expand your horizons, and have some fun, pick up a book and start reading today!

This book is truly phenomenal. It is a work that stands out among others in the field of Christian counseling.

Its content is rich, profound, and highly relevant to the practical needs of those involved in Christian counseling programs.

The author has done an excellent job of presenting the principles and techniques of counseling from a Christian perspective, providing valuable insights and guidance.

Reading this book can enhance one's understanding of the human condition, as well as the role of faith in the counseling process.

It offers practical strategies for dealing with a wide range of issues, such as emotional problems, relationship difficulties, and spiritual challenges.

For any Christian counseling program, this book should be considered as required reading. It has the potential to transform the way counselors approach their work and bring about positive change in the lives of those they serve.

This book is an absolute must-read for all Christians.

Whether you are a survivor of sexual abuse yourself, know someone who has endured it (and I can guarantee that you do! As statistics show, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men have suffered from it), or work with survivors, you simply need to read this remarkable piece of literature.

If you are a survivor, this book might have some triggering moments. However, the author delicately opens the door to understanding how trauma manifests physically, emotionally, mentally, relationally, and spiritually. She also showcases what healing looks like in each of these aspects. The author doesn't pretend to have all the answers as to why God has allowed such a thing to happen. Instead, she clearly articulates that Jesus is uniquely capable of understanding the darkness you find yourself in. She points out that Jesus was stripped naked, humiliated, beaten, and crucified in front of hundreds of people. He was abandoned by those who vowed to stay by his side and experienced agony like no other. He truly understands. The God of the universe made himself human and understands you and your trauma deeper than anyone else. Hope and healing are infused into every single word of this book.

If you haven't personally experienced sexual abuse, this book is still incredibly helpful. It enables you to understand what your friend or loved one has been through and why they may act and react in the way they do. It serves as a really great starting point if you want to be a safe haven for someone but aren't sure how to respond to a loved one who has endured such evil. One of the last chapters provides you with specific guidelines on how to walk through the toughest times with a survivor while also taking care of yourself.

Whether you have experienced sexual abuse or not, this book will draw you closer to the heart of Jesus and reveal new and profound truths about Him.

This was an incredibly beautiful treatment of a very tragic topic.

It was not presented in a clinical or cold manner, which often makes such topics seem distant and unrelatable. Instead, it was presented in a way that was both engaging and very informative.

The author managed to skillfully weave the themes of spiritual hope and healing throughout the narrative. This added a depth and warmth to the story that made it truly touching.

Readers are able to not only gain a better understanding of the tragic topic at hand but also find a glimmer of hope and a sense of comfort in the midst of the sadness.

It is rare to find a piece of writing that can handle such a difficult subject with such grace and sensitivity, and this article truly stands out for its remarkable treatment.

It serves as a reminder that even in the face of tragedy, there is always the possibility of finding hope and healing, both on a spiritual and emotional level.

Overall, it is a beautifully written and deeply moving piece that will stay with readers long after they have finished reading.

I read this for a training I am doing for working with women that have been sexually exploited.

It didn't apply to me personally, but it was extremely helpful for understanding what these women may be going through.

The experiences and emotions they might have endured are truly complex and difficult to fathom.

By reading this, I was able to gain a better perspective and a deeper sense of empathy for them.

I really appreciated the valuable insight this offered on such a very difficult subject.

It made me more aware of the challenges these women face and the importance of providing them with the support and resources they need to heal and move forward.

I will take this knowledge and use it to be more effective in my work with them, hoping to make a positive difference in their lives.

This is more like a 2.5 star book.

I initially chose this book over another one I had planned to read on the same topic, under the misapprehension that it wasn't as Christian as the other. Oh, was I wrong.

This book was extremely Christian. While I did find the sections that focused solely on sexual abuse to be both helpful and powerful, the religious aspects really detracted from the overall experience. It felt as if the book ended with the message of "Just turn to religion. Jesus will fix it." This was such a weak conclusion that didn't do justice to the rest of the book.

You simply can't pray away pain or achieve healing that easily. One has to actively work through it. The book seemed to start with an introduction, then began to撕开 a wound, and then sort of gave up and said, "alright, enough of that. Just turn to Jesus." Frankly, it was frustrating.

I also believe that the religious nature of this book is highly counterproductive and harmful to the message of healing it attempts to convey. The author mentions how abusers can关联 the abuse to religion, thereby introducing the element of spiritual abuse on top of sexual abuse. For this reason, I think it would have been much wiser for her to leave out any mention of religion rather than telling people that to heal from one trauma, they must embrace another.

However, I did appreciate that the author brought up the fact that sexual abuse can and does occur in religious settings by those in positions of religious power. I also liked that she touched on sexual abuse by same-sex abusers and the fact that women can also be abusers. That part was really well done.