Sarah’s Story

Journey To Heal is a seven-week course for those who are thinking about taking the next step in recovering from past sexual trauma.

My background is quite complex. I live with symptoms of PTSD and a generalised anxiety disorder. In the past, I have tried various therapies and while these were somewhat helpful in helping me not to feel alone in the world, they didn’t help me feel free or safe.

I always carried things around with me, whether it be unforgiveness, fear, pain or shame, which meant I couldn’t enjoy being free to live life. I often lived on edge waiting for the next upset or thing that would hurt me. In the end, up until about 6 months ago, I couldn’t relax mentally or physically. Life became tiresome - just waiting for the day I'd feel something other than numbness or anger at being me.

Last year, I heard of the Journey to Heal ministry and decided I would speak to the lady that ran the programme; I can honestly say it was the best decision I’ve ever made.

I won’t pretend that it was easy, but it did give me a chance to look at myself through the eyes of God, who I'd always feared for various reasons. I learnt that He absolutely could heal wounds if I trusted in him. What I thought of myself no longer mattered because He saw me differently, which in turn helped me adapt the way I viewed myself. It also gave me the chance to understand myself and where I was at in life. It gave me the opportunity to work through things in a way that I have never done before.

It’s been a few months since I’ve finished the programme and I can honestly say I don’t carry shame or guilt with me anymore. Whilst I still live with anxiety, I do not fear the world as I previously did.

For many years I lived with fear whenever I took the kids out of the house. I would freeze quite often which affected them being out, even playing at the parks. I’m happy to say this has eased and I haven’t frozen outdoors for several months now. This has been thanks to working through things with Journey To Heal.

I wanted to share this because one of the scariest things we can do in life is take that step to healing, but it's also one of the bravest steps I have taken. For anyone else who is thinking of taking this step, you aren’t alone in this. Journey to Heal has been life-changing for me.