GUEST POST: As a child, I wasn’t living a typical life. Rejection, mistreatment, emotional and physical pain were all parts of my every day. I was the innocent and vulnerable scapegoat who was taunted and bullied. Unloved and rejected by my own parents, my heart was full of sadness and I lived in a sea of constant lies.
Bloggers Note: This is a guest post by author, Brook Lynn. Brook has an amazing tesimony of survival through God’s wonderful grace. Follow her on her blog or connect with her on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
Because of this trauma and tragedy I survived, I grew up believing my life was a story worth sharing with the world. I knew my pain could be used to help someone else break free from theirs. I yearned for the day to divulge all my secrets. I wanted to unleash the story inside me, exposing the evil I endured so the light of truth would expose the enemy.
Desiring to help others, it occurred to me that I could write a book. But fear rose up, and it sounded impossible to accomplish. After keeping years of journals and writings, I boldly shared some with a friend. That one person was a spark that ignited my passion, suggesting and encouraging me to write a book. I worked four years praying and writing my book, “Raised by Strangers.” I want my voice to echo across the world; helping and encouraging others so they would know they aren’t alone.
For anyone who has suffered physical, emotional, sexual or spiritual abuse and pain; I write for you
God has impacted my life so much that, without Him, I would probably be dead or in a mental institution. Without God, I envision myself on drugs to help numb my pain; crying out for help that no one can console; and constantly searching for someone or something to calm my fear and anxieties.
Without God, I remain locked in a prison with my horrid reality of where I had been and what happened to me. Without God, there would be no real hope, healing, encouragement or freedom. Without God, I would hate my abusers and harbor rage and unforgiving feelings; living in bondage to fear and bitterness.
But God rescued me from the depths of hell and I know His love for me.
He has changed my life, healed me and uses me to reach a lost and hurting world with His truth and message of love. God is life and without Him there is only death.
It is my passion to empower others to keep going no matter what and to keep their focus and faith in God. Where and what I’ve come through is profound and clearly the work of God’s grace, mercy and power.
The one lesson I want others to learn from my story is, Never Give up Hope. Our lives are too precious and our calling too high to ever settle for less than what God has for us. Let’s move forward in faith and freedom in a newfound hope.
Never is time lost in pain, trials or tribulation. We gain wisdom, discernment and an experience to carry with us for the rest of our lives so we can help others when they are in need.
“God is about helping people, reminding them they can smile again.”
I personally invite you to read my true life story, Raised by Strangers: One woman’s spiritual journey home
. When I was just five years old, I was kidnapped and forced to live a life burdened with cruel and bizarre physical and emotional abuse. My will to survive, inspired by an invisible hope, helped me fight the demons and stay alive as I endured haunting experiences.
This book chronicles my true-life story, full of forbidden secrets driven by darkness and deception. I was kidnapped, given away, and ultimately raised by strangers who tortured me.
Through this gripping story, I share ways I have learned to overcome my horrendous past and rise above the ugliness of humanity with faith and forgiveness. This book is raw with reality and will help you find courage and strength for healing, how to face your fears, forgive offenses, and live a life of freedom.