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Kathycarer

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I am a survivor of abuse by my mother (tend to put it aside and lock it in a box - it has worked mostly), abuse by husband (in the past now and not a problem any more) and abuse by a priest (Anglican). All of this was in the past until something happened that brought back, first of all, the abuse by the priest. Doesn't matter what it was. Am in a different denomination now, and sought help from a priest in that denomination because it is the anniversary of my father's death on July 8th and that was what started the abuse by the priest - and something had triggered all of the horrible memories. The priest to whom I went for help (all I wanted him to do was let me tell my story, which I have only ever told to the Investigation Authorities and the priest was in fact found guilty but suffered no punshment for what he did over two years, to me), re-tramatised me, and this also brought back all the other abuse I suffered in my life.

I am now ill. Trying not to be ill. Trying to cope. Trying to be brave. Trying to put it aside, but have not been able to breathe since I spoke to this priest the other day. Also getting whilst I cannot eat - this was how it affected me originally. Scared still of putting food into my mouth. Got so sick and could have died. Not anorexia to do with weight, but to do with fear of food and fear of my body.

O.K. so I have been O.K. for years - well, kind of O.K. Coped well. Lived a fruitful life etc. etc. Not so now. I am going under again.

Right, so I read all about therapists, helpers, etc. and I too have gone through all of that. No help whatsoever. They are useless IMO.

So what do I do now? Where do I go? All I need to do is tell my story - the story of my life - long and complicated and no-one would really want to know. I jsut need someone to hear it and cry with me. Someone genuine.

But no such people exist.

Where do I go now? I am getting iller and iller now.

all I want to do is talk. But you can't trust anybody to talk to. Do I have to die? Cos that is how I feel right now. Oh I won't do anything so stupid as that. But how do I get rid of this hell? Just talking would do it. Nothing else. Nothing heavy. Just to tell my story to a real, live, living human being.

God bless you all and thanks for reading.
 

One day at a time

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I am sorry for what you are going through (and I mean that genuinely!) I never just say things to say them.....I will pray for you and if you did need to talk....just pm me....I am discreet and have helped several on here.
There are also some others on here that are great and would be willing to help you.
I remember the time I wrote my story on here and thought how it all brought all kinds of things back....but with time I have gotten better....and I'm with you....sometimes you just need to get it off your chest.
So if you need me......I'm here!
 
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Johnnz

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The right therapist for you is so important. Finding one you can relate to confidently and who knows how to bring you some real healing would greatly benefit you. Is there anything available within your church circles?

It does take time, it can be very painful reliving some of those bad times. An understanding counsellor and good support will really help sustain you through the process.

John
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Janet842

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Would you please seek the Lord about HOW you are to tell your story? It could be that the unburdening of your heart that you are desperately seeking is meant to happen differently than you realize.

In my own circumstance, writing everything out is the path I am on and my story will go to press in a few years. (I have chosen to wait until my mother passes on. She doesn't need any more grief than she has already suffered in her life.) My prayer is that my story will reach many with a message of hope, salvation and healing. And there is indeed healing! PTL!

There is such perfect healing available to us that it will ultimately be as though your story isn't even yours any longer -- God can heal you so perfectly that it will be as though you have gone through NONE of this. That will be when you will kiss the "Survivor" label goodbye! I am perfectly and miraculously healed of my past and I refuse to wear that label. Ever! To "survive" something is not to be healed of it. I am an EX-survivor. I am a USED-TO-BE-A-VICTIM. Expect nothing less from God for yourself!! I know He will take you there, you need only to know that God can and will do that for you.

Some of us go through incredible misery in our lives, but God will truly and genuinely turn it to good. That's not just some trite scripture phrase thrown out there in a vain attempt to bring you comfort. It's VERY real from our very, incredibly real God.

Begin writing your story and pray that God will be present in every word you write. Go ahead and let it be completely raw and full of all the pain you feel. Don't worry about how well it reads now -- just get it all out and down on paper.

I will keep you in my prayers.

Janet
 
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