Healing out loud
I remember feeling like my silence was the answer to my healing. For generations, we have been taught that "what happens in the house, stays in the house." It was through that toxic programming that the suffering I endured in private became the very chain that kept me bound to ancestral and generational trauma.
I thought that if I just kept quiet, I would eventually heal. If I buried the pain deep enough, maybe it would disappear. But what I didn't realize was that silence was the very thing suffocating me. The unspoken pain, the hidden wounds, and the unaddressed traumas didn't just fade away—they festered. They seeped into my relationships, my self-worth, and my ability to trust myself.
It wasn’t until I began to speak out that I felt the weight begin to lift.
I remember sitting across from my therapist, perplexed about what I was experiencing and whether it was even real. I had been gaslighted for so long that reality felt like a blur—was what I had endured just a figment of my imagination? Or had it actually happened?
Even when she asked, "What brought you in today?" I hesitated. The confusion on my face mirrored the war within me. Do I start from the beginning? Do I even have the words? Am I even allowed to feel enough to begin?
But in that moment, I realized something: my healing could not begin if I remained silent. The power was not in the secrecy—it was in the release. And so, I spoke. At first, my voice trembled. The words felt foreign leaving my lips. But with every truth I unraveled, I felt pieces of myself returning. I felt the chains of shame and guilt begin to loosen.
Sis, I want you to know that silence is not your savior. The enemy thrives in the shadows, but God brings healing in the light. What you have endured is real. What you feel is valid. And your voice is powerful enough to break the generational chains that have kept you bound
3 Practical Steps to Breaking Your Silence:
1. Acknowledge Your Truth – The first step is admitting to yourself what has happened. Write it down, say it aloud in prayer, or tell a trusted friend. Healing begins when you validate your own experiences.
2. Find a Safe Space– Whether it's therapy, a faith-based support group, or a mentor, having a safe space to share your heart is crucial. You do not have to go through this alone.
3. Speak the Word of God Over Your Life – The enemy wants you to stay silent, but God calls you to freedom. Declare verses like Psalm 34:17: "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles." Let His Word replace the lies of the enemy with truth.
Biblical Encouragement:
- Isaiah 61:1 – "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners."*
- 2 Timothy 1:7 – "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind."
- John 8:36 – So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
Journal Prompt:
Take a moment to reflect and write:
- What is one truth I have been afraid to speak?
- How has my silence affected my healing?
- What is one step I can take this week to break my silence and step into healing?
Healing begins when you decide to let your truth be known—not for validation, but for liberation. The moment you begin to speak, you begin to reclaim your power.
You are worthy of healing. You are worthy of freedom. And you are worthy of a life unshackled by silence.
It’s time to speak, sis. Your healing is waiting.
All Over Again.
Life has a way of throwing unexpected curveballs, leaving us standing in the rubble of our shattered plans. You had a vision, a perfectly laid-out future, and then—suddenly—you find yourself at a screeching halt. Maybe the relationship you thought would last forever has ended. Maybe you’ve lost a job that you depended on. Maybe a loved one has passed away, and now you're left trying to make sense of life in their absence. Whatever your situation, you are now facing the daunting process of starting over.
The weight of disappointment, confusion, pain, and loss can feel unbearable. It’s easy to wonder, God, where are You in this? But let me remind you: the same God who was with you in the highs of life is still with you in the lows. He is not surprised by this season, and He is not absent from your pain.
The Beauty in Starting Over
One of the most beautiful things about God is that He is the Master of restoration. The Bible is full of stories of people who had to start over, and in each one, God brought something greater than they could have ever imagined.
Take Joseph, for example. He had a dream of ruling, of leading, of making a difference—but before he ever saw the fulfillment of that dream, he was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and thrown into prison (Genesis 37-50). Talk about a life that didn’t go as planned! Yet, through all of it, Joseph remained faithful to God, and in the end, God elevated him to a position of great influence. What seemed like a devastating detour was actually God’s divine setup for something greater.
Another powerful example is Naomi and Ruth. Naomi lost her husband and two sons, leaving her feeling empty and bitter. She even said, "Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter" (Ruth 1:20). She felt as if her life was over. But what she didn’t realize was that God was setting her up for a new beginning. Through Ruth’s faithfulness, God led them to Boaz, and their story became one of redemption. Ruth married Boaz, and through their lineage came King David, and ultimately, Jesus Christ (Ruth 4:13-17).
If God could rewrite their stories, He can rewrite yours, too.
God’s Promises for Your New Beginning
When life forces you to start over, cling to God’s promises. He has never left His people without hope, and He won’t start now. Here are a few scriptures to hold onto:
"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." – Isaiah 43:19
Even when everything feels barren, God is already making a way for you."For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." – Jeremiah 29:11
Your life is not over; God’s plans for you are still good."Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." – Psalm 30:5
This pain is temporary, but joy is on the horizon.
Embracing the Process
Starting over isn’t just about moving on—it’s about moving forward with God. Here are a few practical steps to help you embrace this new beginning:
Grieve, but don’t get stuck. It’s okay to mourn what was lost, but don’t allow grief to paralyze you. Give your pain to God and allow Him to heal you.
Lean into God’s presence. Prayer, worship, and reading the Word will strengthen you. Even when you don’t feel like it, press in.
Redefine your vision. Maybe life didn’t go as planned, but that doesn’t mean God doesn’t have a purpose for you. Ask Him to show you the new direction He has for you.
Surround yourself with faith-filled community. Healing happens in the presence of godly friendships and mentors. Don’t isolate yourself.
Take one step at a time. You don’t have to figure everything out overnight. Trust that God is guiding your every step.
Your New Beginning is in God’s Hands
Friend, I know that starting over feels overwhelming, but trust that God is in control. He is not finished with your story. Just like He turned Joseph’s pain into purpose and Naomi’s loss into legacy, He is working behind the scenes in your life, too.
This is not the end—it’s a divine reset. Surrender your plans to God and watch Him create something more beautiful than you ever imagined. You may not see it now, but in due time, you’ll look back and realize that what felt like a breaking point was actually the foundation for a new and greater beginning.
Keep trusting, keep hoping, and keep moving forward in faith. Your new beginning is in the hands of a faithful God who writes the best stories.