I’m grateful for the ways God speaks to my heart when my own words fall short, thank you for the peace it brings to my soul. -denise marie
“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36
Tag: Survivor
I broke my silence…at 40.
A few months ago, I was frazzled by a situation which caused others to look at me with doubting glares and accusing words that began by a simple misunderstanding.
Not being understood and discredited stirred up deep rooted memories from my childhood of not being believed when I told a trusted adult that I had been abused. At 11 years old, my self-esteem immediately plummeted as my worth was devalued deeply beneath the open wound of keeping the abuse a secret. My humanity was denied access to protection. I suffered emotionally, physically, spiritually and mentally, internalizing my pain, suppressing my feelings and silenced my voice.
I didn’t talk about it again, until I was 40 years old.
This recent situation, caused me to gravel as I continuously explained myself over and over again only to be looked at as if I wasn’t telling the truth.
My mind raced as my anger grew causing me to want to lash out at the ones who didn’t believe me.
The little girl in me was spiraling out of control, in that moment, I felt helpless.
Instead of using old self destructive ways of coping, I applied tools I’ve learned and communicated my feelings to those who misunderstood me, and I spoke my truth. We were able to clear up the confusion and move forward.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and unfortunately there are millions of survivors in the United States and around the World who are suffering from the affects of sexual assault, it is so important that we speak out against sexual assault and put an end to it.
If you are a survivor I want to let you know that, I believe you, healing is possible and there is hope.
National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE
~ denise marie
“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36
#nolongerheldcaptive
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
shine light on darkness…
“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36
#nolongerheldcaptive
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
confidence
beams as
she finds
her worth
in simply
being
present.
~ denise marie
“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36
#nolongerheldcaptive
International Women’s Day is everyday…says this survivor.
Being an adult survivor of childhood sexual abuse and rape at 14. I lived most of my life in a fragmented mindset, pieces of my identity hidden behind the shadow of what I only allowed others to see. The secrets were suppressed and the key to that pain was locked away.
The bondage placed upon my life at the early age of 4, was meant to be a death sentence of everything good that my Mother and Grandmother stood for and the love they so lovingly wrapped me in, was now blemished. The curse had been passed down through generations and as much as they tried to protect me from abuse, I experienced this unmentionable pain in the hands of people they trusted.
Years of flashback and triggers haunted me as I covered up the pain through perfectionism, people pleasing, an eating disorder and many other coping mechanisms. Trauma after trauma tried to keep my mind in a self-denial pit of defeat. Blurring my decision making and accepting unhealthy boundaries.
On the outside I appeared to have it ALL together, picture perfect is what some would say. But, on the inside I felt scarred, damaged, worthless, unloveable and broken.
I was lost.
When I chose to face the truth and feel the pain, it was excruciating, literally debilitating and heart wrenching.
I wanted to put it all back in the pretty little box that I secretly kept hidden in the crevices of my heart.
But I couldn’t…the truth was exposed and I had to make a decision, either I was gonna fold or I was gonna fight…and I chose to fight for my freedom.
What does fighting for my freedom look like?
Everyday making a decision to do the next right thing…..in spite of depression, anxiety, ptsd, wanting to isolate, low self esteem, doubt, fear or self sabotage.
The next right thing looks
like…..accountability, intensive therapy, an eating disorder program, Celebrate Recovery: 12-step Christ centered recovery program, reaching out to others who I trust when I need support or a listening ear, prayer…lot’s of prayer, self-care, journaling, spending time with my husband, kids, granddaughter and our dog, walking preferably near salt water with the beach under my feet, fresh air, essential oils, laughter, whole food, supplements, chocolate, reading, drinking water, sipping my cup of coffee in a pretty mug, finding joy and gratitude daily…even when it’s hard and learning to love, accept love and give love.
Above all else, my relationship with God through his son Jesus is how I am learning to view myself through His Word, promises and truth. I am healing.
These are some of the tools, resources and support I have used and some I am still using to help me walk in my freedom.
Everyday I celebrate “international women’s day” as I cheer on other women who are locking arms with others who are overcoming tremendous battles (some in which others may never know about) and are taking one step at a time to courageously become liberated from what tried to destroy her.
My name is denise marie and
I AM no longer held captive…by my childhood secrets, I AM free.
“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36
#nolongerheldcaptive
“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36
#nolongerheldcaptive
Today I celebrate my 50th Birthday. I love this pic because it was a day that I shared my story. I am overwhelmed by the gratitude that I feel and cherish every memory, both good and bad, for it has brought me to this point in my life that I am able to stand up and use my voice to overcome fear that has kept me quiet for so long. I thank God for His gift of life and the ability to reclaim my freedom!💗
“For if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36
#nolongerheldcaptive
I was attacked
at the very core
of my being and
was told to end it.
That I was not going to
live past the depression,
the anxiety and the tremendous
amount of pain.
The lies, and self hatred
tried to overshadow every ounce
of hope and faith
I previously held onto.
Even though I walk through the
darkest valley…
Fragmented pieces of the
memories came flashing
back as I tried to piece them
together and make sense
of the realization that these
were not nightmares but
factual suppressed recollections.
I will fear no evil…for you are with me….
It was too much!
I felt as if I was literally being
ripped from the inside out.
Every part of my body ached
as I exposed the truth and
walked through the dark
murkiness of my past.
You protect and guide me,
and I find comfort as you console me…
In my despair,
I wept, as I released the pain.
You are repairing all the damage
that was done to me,
and restoring the deepest,
most real part of me.
Lord, my strength and hope, comes from you.
(*Psalm 23)
~ denise marie
“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36
Awaken yourself…
Fear kept
me bound
to circumstances
that stripped
me of my
self-worth.
Awareness,
of the need
to change
my perspective,
opened up
my ability
to love
myself.
Belief in
who He is,
bought my
freedom.
~ denise marie
“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36
My Journey Home….to God & Self 