Words are powerful. I have polled women in groups that I am a part of and asked for harmful phrases that were used by spiritual leaders when they disclosed abuse. This list is not exhaustive, but I pray that it helps us to be mindful of what we say to victims of abuse. Ladies, please join us on Facebook at Held & Healed: Christian Women Rebuilding After Abuse https://www.facebook.com/groups/616663178999357/. Or, find me at https://heatherelizabeth.org/.

Dale and Faith are gentle and humble warriors who speak boldly against abuse in Faith communities. Dale has been a pastor for decades and Faith is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. They founded Speaking Truth in Love Ministries and they educate individuals and churches on the realities of abuse inside church walls. Dale wrote Tear Down This Wall of Silence: Dealing with Sexual Abuse in Our Churches (An Introduction For Those Who Will Hear). Learn more at https://speakingtruthinlove.org/. Ladies, please join us on Facebook at Held & Healed: Christian Women Rebuilding After Abuse https://www.facebook.com/groups/616663178999357/. Or, find me at https://heatherelizabeth.org/.

It was an honor and a joy to host the first annual Held & Healed Retreat in Virginia. 60 ladies from 8 or more states came together to laugh, cry, worship, learn, heal and connect. It was a beautiful sight to behold. Rebecca Davis shared a powerful message about Spiritual Warfare, as outlined in her book Prayer Armor for Defense (https://www.amazon.com/Prayer-Defense-Against-Enemys-Flaming-ebook/dp/B08P166PJS?crid=ODXOVSSTB2TB&dchild=1&keywords=prayer+armor+for+defense&qid=1631573680&sr=8-2&linkCode=sl1&tag=rebeccajoydav-20&linkId=95094a019ae48ed0809941c394c1f2e4&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl&fbclid=IwAR1lcf--9DM6At12n_4fdYtaY3lN-UtA6iAwfu-678t8jiTuVQlvBwXzVVI). Joy Forrest of Called to Peace Ministeries shared her story and the hope and healing she found through scripture and worship (https://www.amazon.com/Called-Peace-Survivors-Finding-Domestic/dp/1948449013/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=ZMO9DEZLJC9O&dchild=1&keywords=called+to+peace+joy+forrest&qid=1631793090&sprefix=called+to+peace&sr=8-3). Ladies, plan now to attend the second annual Held & Healed Retreat September 9-11, 2022. Register here: https://heatherelizabeth.org/page/held-and-healed-retreat-2022?fbclid=IwAR1-v87R2kNxtRboN__ekIUPSDJHTMDppBXcULQmxyAb4GLQxZ1ERrFeedU Join us on Facebook at Held & Healed: Christian Women Rebuilding After Abuse https://www.facebook.com/groups/616663178999357/. Or, find me at https://heatherelizabeth.org

Setting and maintaining boundaries will accelerate your healing journey. In this episode, I share quotes and tips to help you on your healing journey. For more resources, ladies, please join us on Facebook at Held & Healed: Christian Women Rebuilding After Abuse https://www.facebook.com/groups/616663178999357/. Or, find me at https://heatherelizabeth.org. For more about the 12 Truths Group Coaching Course, https://heatherelizabeth.org/page/12-truths-group-coaching-1?fbclid=IwAR0s_SX6V9Ojj3MXL8rmXT-k1ki6ai_1INZqdfSa7zIZP20NC-KuzRo5QbE

In this episode, I share some of my story and self-care tips I have learned as I have been rebuilding my body, mind and spirit. Sister, you are valuable. You are priceless. You give and give and give to others. It’s time to take care of yourself.

Ladies, please join us on Facebook at Happie, Hippie, Healthie Hangout https://www.facebook.com/groups/2874298529497171/ and at Held & Healed: Christian Women Rebuilding After Abuse https://www.facebook.com/groups/616663178999357/. Or, find me at https://heatherelizabeth.org/.

Bella is a survivor of every form of abuse imaginable. She wrote her story in Prisoners in the Shed (buy it here: https://www.amazon.com/Prisoners-Shed-Harrowing-Journey-Captivity/dp/1734594519/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=prisoners+in+the+shed&qid=1627575025&sprefix=prisoners+in+&sr=8-3). Bella is tenacious, courageous and articulate as she uses her voice to expose evil. I thank God for her life and her voice. Our prayer is that this episode helps to turn the light on for many. If you are living under an abuser’s control, we pray for you to come into the light. Reach out to the domestic abuse hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or https://www.thehotline.org/. Ladies, please join us on Facebook at Held & Healed: Christian Women Rebuilding After Abuse https://www.facebook.com/groups/616663178999357/. Or, find me at https://heatherelizabeth.org/.

(Disclaimer: this episode discusses sex, so little ears beware!) I am so grateful to Sheila for bravely tackling topics that most Christian leaders would run from. Along with her co-authors, she surveyed 20,000 women and exposes the problematic, toxic evangelical teachings that have wrecked sex for many for so long. I encourage EVERY Christian, male and female, to read this book. Process it with your spouse or future spouse. This book is helping so many and I am thrilled to be able to share this resource with you! Find Sheila at https://tolovehonorandvacuum.com/, on Facebook, on Instagram and at the Bare Marriage podcast. Ladies, join us on Facebook at Held & Healed: Christian Women Rebuilding After Abuse (https://www.facebook.com/groups/616663178999357/) or contact me at https://heatherelizabeth.org/ or [email protected].

LeAnne is energetic and passionate and she loves helping women rebuild their lives. She is a Certified Professional Coach, learn more here: https://www.thewalkyourtalkcoach.com/. In this episode, we discuss relationships, truth telling and danger assessment. DANGEROUS acronym: https://leslievernick.com/signs-danger-mean-time-flee/. Party Barge story: https://heatherelizabeth.org/blog/27227/party-barge. Ladies, please join us on Facebook at Held & Healed: Christian Women Rebuilding After Abuse https://www.facebook.com/groups/616663178999357/. Or, find me at https://heatherelizabeth.org/.

Abuse is so much more than broken bones and bruises. Today, I share 13 patterns/systems of abuse, as outlined in the book Safe Churches by Sarah McDugal, Jennifer Jill Schwirzer and Nicole Parker. For more in depth instruction, Sarah had a playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9WSC9P1z2VeGeak1Id8gsioSdaKnYGBI. You can also find helpful resources at https://www.wildernesstowild.com/. Ladies, please join us on Facebook at Held & Healed: Christian Women Rebuilding After Abuse https://www.facebook.com/groups/616663178999357/. Or, find me at https://heatherelizabeth.org/. I also list the systems/patterns of abuse here: https://heatherelizabeth.org/blog/27114/systems-patterns-of-abuse.

Lauren is a survivor of domestic abuse and spiritual abuse. As a young woman, she was affiliated with Bill Gothard and the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP). In this episode she shares about the brainwashing that happened in her faith community and marriage and how she was left feeling worthless and suicidal. By God’s mercy, she was led to the Recovering Grace website, http://www.recoveringgrace.org/ which is a place where Gothard victims share their stories. Lauren was also led to a therapist who introduced her to https://www.calledtopeace.org/ and her healing journey continues. I thank God for His redemption in her life and for the passion she has to help see others set free. Ladies, please join us on Facebook at Held & Healed: Christian Women Rebuilding After Abuse https://www.facebook.com/groups/616663178999357/. Or, find me at https://heatherelizabeth.org/.