Abuse: 13 Stories
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Everyone has a story, and just like everyone, my story is different, my name is Francisco Nelson 22 years old from Fort Lau., Florida. I was placed in the foster care system at the age of 15 because my mother was physically, mentally, and spiritually abusing me. For many years I lived in programs where ALL TYPES of sex, drugs, fights infested the walls I lived in. I was taken advantage of and many times I did things no 15 year old should ever do. But one BOOK in the bible helped me keep my faith strong “The Book of Job” At 17 I was placed in a foster home with a real Christian lady; I was under God’s covering. For the past years I have been learning so much about God & His plans for my life & I prayed one night & asked God why? And He responded “would you allow your scars to heal someone else’s wounds? Jesus had to carry the sins of the world; I think I can carry some cars to help bring healing through Jesus Christ to someone else in their time of struggle.
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I didn’t grow up in a Christian household. We were forced to go to church but none of us knew what for. I was sexually assaulted by my mother’s boyfriend at the age of 4 until i was 11. By that point i realized no one cared about my life, so why should i? i felt if God loves me so much why would he allow a 4 year old to go through so much pain? I started the art of witchcraft at the age of 12, around the same time i was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. i didn’t think anyone cared for my well being and there were times where i questioned if this life was even real. i took up the art of cutting my wrists just for a reality check and a rush, and drugs and alcohol soon followed. I chose to dwell and grow up in darkness, it was comfortable for me. i later got married to a man who is a Pastors kid, so i thought he was the best thing for me. unfortunately i suffered marital rape from him for 2 years. i never knew what he was doing was wrong, i thought that’s what marriage was supposed to be.
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about a year and a half ago i was sitting in a chapel service and the worship music was suddenly pulling on heart strings i didn’t know i had. i chose to stand up, and tell God “i don’t want this life anymore. Ive made a big mess trying to do this myself. I want to follow You now.” That day I received the Holy Spirit and a different view of the entire world from that moment on. I felt like a completely different person. Now there’s a spark in me not of darkness, but of light. Ive learned through following Christ all of my old temptations were not as enticing as they used to be. I’ve been down that road and back and I love my Father more than anything this world could offer me. Now i want to run from sin and help those who are where i was. i literally did lose my life the day i accepted Christ, and He gave me a new one. One with reason, passion, hope, and faith. No human in this world can give you the love God has for you. You just have to want more than what this world has to offer.
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For too many years, my three little sons were the innocent victims of a a woman gone crazy; almost every day, she found some trivial excuse to beat them wildly.That crazy woman was me.
Having grown up seeing my little brother and sister beaten was no excuse. I truly hated what I was doing to my sons. And, even though I was born again, I knew of no way out of their hell and mine.
Praise God for Pastor Willie George, his faithful, supportive family and church, and for the anointing to record “Training Children in Troubled Times”! Words (and tears) can barely express the peace that finally came when I began to teach our little ones with the Word, gentleness, mercy…all the things I had longed for as a broken child as I was, now, trying to parent my sons. All I can say is that all monsters within will be shattered by the love of God, our one perfect parent. May you hear and believe how good and powerfully Loving our Father God longs to be to you. -
I was brought up in fostercare from the age of 4 untill I was 18, I had been sexually abused. At 17 I heard the voice of God calling me to preach, and being a very smart 17 year old I ran for the next 28 yrs doing what I wanted. I was at work in GA. when I heard His voice again and He was telling me to get to Tulsa OK. I showed up in Tulsa with 100.00$ in my pocket. This is where God had turned my life around and showing me all I needed was Him. I have now graduated Bible Colledge as an Ordained Minister. I am now married to a wonderfull woman who is the joy of my life. I know God is real because of what He has brought me through, He talks to me every day. If we follow His lead He will always lead us to victory. My first time at Church On The Move God told me I was at home, I was at home.
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My life has always been rocky from being molested living around abusive people I was shy kid who eventually turned to alcohol and drugs to escape because I couldnt be myself. My family has a big line of addiction and dysfunction. I was surrounded but felt so alone..I thought of suicide I was so depressed I couldnt even see the light.. My heart was cold, I couldnt feel anything.. I was so erratic,so angry all I wanted to do was feel I made alot of bad decisions my life was spinnin out of control..my sister finally asked me to check out COTM as she wanted to go for the first time also; I did. I felt a spark of hope I decided to give up drugs its just the beginning of my journey. Its been 9months since Ive been in a relationship, sober, and smoked anything. I have gave it all up only because God took away my want to. I am a stable person now. He has healed my heart I can feel again and I know now what peace is. I have NEVER been so happy as I am now.
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I grew up in a family that was quietly being torn apart by neglect and emotional abuse. What was happening behind closed doors eventually became too much to bear and my parents divorced. I was young and didn’t really know what to do or how to handle all of the things this made me feel and think. I had grown up going to church, so I knew there was more and I wanted my life to be different. I rededicated my life to Jesus at COTM and have been on a great journey ever since! I now have 2 kids and a great marriage, God is so good! I sit in church every week so thankful that God pursued me through Pastor George and this wonderful church family. I’m so thankful that He never gave up on me and that because of right choices I don’t have to live the same life that my parents did. Because of Jesus I can be different! Thanks PWG & COTM, I love you.
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When I was a child I went through some pretty bad stuff. I was physically abused for for about 7 years and sexually abused for 2 years or so. and while that was going on i would fall asleep praying that it would all stop and go away but it didn’t. I became angry with God for a very long time. So I went down a very dark path and did drugs, alcohal and didn’t treat people like I should have. But when I was 29 I began workin with a christian masonry company that helped me get past my frustrations with God and taught me what it meant to be a christian. My wife has also played a part in that as well and I love her very much for it. I have since over come these atrosities and learned to forgive my step dad for these things and it feels really good to have that off of me. Well I can only hope that my story can help someone through whatever it is that they are going through and just know that God won’t let you go through anything he doesn’t think you can handle.
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I was molested by my father from age 9 to age 14. My mother allowed his behavior becuz she didn’t care about me. She was always slapping me, or berating me. I never heard the words “I love you”, I was never hugged. By age 16 I was sexually involved with my abusive boyfriend and got pregnant. I was involved with other men thru out my young life, all were abusive becuz I thought that’s how a “real” man acted. I didn’t know how to love or be loved. At age thirty-one, I became born again. I felt so much peace but I had lots of strongholds that God still had to work out of me. I started attending COTM, I was so hungry for the word and Pastor George said things in a way I could understand. I’m still at COTM, learning and growing. I’m still working on my love walk but I’m no where near the mess I was when I started. I realize God has forgiven me for my past and I am now able to forgive those who hurt me. Thank you COTM for helping me find my way.
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My story is a special one. I’m only 22 years old, but God has delivered me from so much. As a child, I was sexually abused by my father, a fact which was unknown until I was in high school when memories began to resurface. I didn’t know why, but I knew something was wrong. I hated myself, I was insecure, even suicidal at points. Once I discovered what had happened to me, I wondered if I would ever feel like a princess again, if I would ever be beautiful again. For 7 years, I have clung to scriptural truth and solid teaching about God’s deliverance and hope. And I can now say, as of March 1, I am free! I am loved by my Father and I am HIS princess. I am whole and I am pure because my God has healed and delivered me. I used to think I would never feel truly beautiful or ever be able to move past this, but there is NO trial to big for God. Once I stopped focusing on my pain and focused on the truth God already told me in his Word, I opened a door to deliverance that has changed me.
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I was molested for most of my childhood and teen years. When I finally got away and left home, my life brought me here to Tulsa, OK. I thought God moved me here for one reason but I truly believe He had me move so that I could come to COTM for healing. I have sat under Pastors teaching and heard God’s Word. And just like the seeds of His Word planted in my heart, over the next few years all the shame and brokenness that was left, He removed. I have been set free. I am no longer a victim….
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8 months ago, before I went back to church, I was with a guy who was emotionally and mentally abusive. He would tell me all sorts of things to hurt my feelings, called me names, and made me feel like I was the one with all of the problems and I did everything wrong. I was so unhappy, it was hard for me to even wake up in the morning. Slowly, I started to turn to food for comfort and an escape away from him. I ate when I was happy, bored, depressed, angry- you name it, I ate during it. Food became my God when I felt I had lost control of my world. Altogether I gained 20 lbs.
One night, while I was sitting in my room thinking about ending my life, I heard God break through the wall in my mind and speak to me. I started to cry- it was such a gentle voice, so soothing and reassuring.
About a month after that, I left my boyfriend and went back to church. I felt like I was home! Today, I am healing from my addiction and in college studying nursing. God has really changed my life!!!
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I was involved with Drugs. I started when I was 16 years old. I was living with the wrong people. I stole money from people that cared about me. When I was 20 years old. Jesus came to me and opened my eyes. Showed me that what I was doing was wrong and the people aroung me were really not my friends. He Told me move back to your home town. So I got into my truck with only the cloths on my back and drove to Tulsa and was at my father door step to start a new chapter in my life.
I am now 26 years old and Still clean.