“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36
#nolongerheldcaptive
against the grain…
Tag: self-care
free…
“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36
#nolongerheldcaptive
Self acceptance…
#nolongerheldcaptive
lean into his presence…
This week I was feeling a lot of anxiety. Between the pandemic, friends and family battling sickness, the loss of so many lives, the violence, the financial struggles of many, racial injustice and the chaos in our nation, I found myself struggling to hold onto my peace. My emotions fluctuating from sadness, to anger, to fear as I battled my own thoughts to bring my mindset back to a place of peace.
Then I heard a still small voice that said, “Lean into his presence.”. At that very moment I knew he was calling me to him.
One of my favorite lyrics in a song by Elevation Worship goes,
“In Your presence there is freedom
In Your presence there is hope
In Your presence there is healing
Love restores me, I am whole”.
In my moments of distress, I am learning as I lean into his presence, my anxiety surrenders to Him.
Lean into his presence.
~ denise marie
“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36
**side note**: I am a firm believer in Jesus and Therapy! God provides us with resources that if we are willing, can come alongside us and help us in our journey. My regular appointments with my therapist and support from my sponsor in Celebrate Recovery, are vital parts of my healing!💗
the stroke of a brush releases anxiety…
✨ Art is beautiful in the eyes of those who simply embrace the freedom of each stroke of a brush.✨
“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36
#nolongerheldcaptive
When the waves come crashing…I will trust you.
Wherever You would call me,
Take me deeper than my feet
could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior”.
⁃ Oceans by Hillsong United
This summer, I had an overwhelming need to go to the Ocean, so I told my husband and the next day we drove to Santa Cruz.
As I stood there on these rocks on the beach, I watched the water go from calm to all of a sudden the waves came crashing violently and then the calmness of the water subsided as the waves went back out to sea.
I was so fortunate to capture this photo at the exact moment of impact.
As I watched in awe, I heard God sweetly whisper, “trust me”.
Unbeknownst to me, my life would change four days later, when I survived a pulmonary embolism.
As I heal, this picture is a constant reminder of how we all face the unexpected crashing of overwhelming situations that disrupt our life. But even in those uncertain times, God promises to be our firm foundation, as he continuously whispers “trust me”.
“The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety”.
– Psalm 18:2
~ denise marie
“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36 #nolongerheldcaptive
Loving you…
Be Strong & Courageous…
My new art piece, which is one of my favorite scriptures now hangs on the wall in my bedroom. These words have been on repeat as I continue to recover. I never would have imagined that I would be adding “Survivor of Pulmonary Embolism” to my story. But nonetheless here I stand, believing Gods promises for my life even when things are hard 🙌🏽😭
I have hope and faith as I continue to say:
“I AM Strong and Courageous, I will not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord MY God will be with me wherever I go”. – Joshua 1:9💗
~ denise marie
#nolongerheldcaptive
Trauma…
Healing from trauma is a one day at a time process, and is never a “one size fits all” approach. The stigma behind mental illness continues to keep people suffering in silence. If you are hurting, please reach out to the following hotline for help, support or someone just to talk to:
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
You are not alone, you matter and God loves you.
“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36
#nolongerhedcaptive
Today I celebrate…
On April 11th, I turned 51…
Today I celebrate
both the good and the bad of these 51 years…there were so many days that I struggled with my value and self-worth, never “feeling” good enough as I listened to the lies which kept me bound to their twisted truth for far too long. So many years of refusing to truly allow myself to shine for fear of failure or rejection, playing it safe instead of living freely.
As an adult survivor of childhood sexual abuse, I despised who and what I saw in my mirror.
It has been such a slippery slope to maneuver through the trauma.
Daily choosing to renew my mind, as I apply truth to my brokenness, I am healing whole.
Today I celebrate.
Every step
she takes
is a brave
quest to silence
the lies
which kept
her bound
for far too long.
This courageous
feat outweighs
the years of
previous defeats.
Her new found
