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Have you ever asked yourself, “How do I even begin to heal from abuse?” I’ve been there. As a Christian woman who walked through domestic violence and deep emotional pain, I know how overwhelming the healing journey can feel.
But friend, I want to remind you—God didn’t create you to just survive. He created you to live with purpose, walk in freedom, and rebuild your life with Him at the center.
In this post, I’m sharing 5 faith-based beliefs that truly helped me begin to heal from abuse and step into wholeness. These aren’t just ideas—they’re truths that carried me through the hardest seasons. I pray they encourage you as much as they’ve encouraged me. If you would like to watch my Youtube video on this topic, you can click here.
1. I Still Have a God-Given Purpose
When I left that toxic relationship, I felt broken. I felt like maybe my life was over. But deep down, God whispered, “I’m not finished with you.”
Even when I felt weak, I knew I was here for a reason. One of the first beliefs that helped me heal was this: I still have a God-given purpose.
Your past does not cancel your calling. That D-word (divorce) and the shame that came from being abused, shouted loudly in my ears most days. Especially when I tried going back to church. I wrestled with truly believing that God’s Word was true: that He had a good future for me (Jeremiah 29:11) and that my life and years lost to chaos would be restored (Joel 2:25-26). I decided to trust what God said, throw off the victim mindset and hopelessness, and pursue wholeness and wellbeing.
I invited Jesus into my healing journey andI started dreaming again. Dreaming of helping other women, of building a healing center in Africa, of using my pain to pour out hope. And I want you to ask yourself:
What dream did you bury when the abuse started?
Dig it up. Breathe life back into it. God’s not done with you.
2. God Hears My Prayers and Desires (Psalm 10:17)
Being a survivor of domestic violence, is like wandering the wilderness after being stripped of your identity…and hope. I remember when the only light of hope I could see was the size of a push pin. So tiny compared to the vastness of darkness around me.
But I pushed myself to pray. I whispered prayers into my pillow at night. Ranted and screamed at him on the bathroom floor. And repeatedly asked Him, “God, please just help me survive this.”
Guess what? He’s heard you to do the same.
Psalm 10:17 (AMP) says, O Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble and oppressed; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear to hear,”
God doesn’t just hear our words—He hears our hearts. Even when we feel forgotten, He is inclining His ear. That means He’s leaning in. He’s listening closely. He also CARES about your desires, even if you have forgotten what they are.
Today, 10 years after leaving, I am living many of the desires of my heart. And I am thankful. I hope that encourages you.
3. God Still Has a Plan for Me (Isaiah 41:10)
I refused to believe that my past was going to cancel my future. My faith may not have been as strong or big as an oak tree, but it was a mustard seed.
Hebrews 12:1 (AMP) says: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us…”
Dwelling and carrying the weight of the past will weigh you down and limit your healing. But you can choose to let go of those weights of PTSD, anxiety, fear, lack of boundaries, people pleasing, doubt and codependency, and seek God wholeheartedly. It is also possible to praise through the pain, even when it feels impossible.
BELIEVE He has great plans for you, and start walking with a vision for your future as your guide.
Whether you’re 28, 58, or anywhere in between, God can still do something new. Don’t let pain write the last chapter. He’s the Author—and He’s not done writing!
4. I Set Healing Goals and Believed I Could Reach Them
I don’t believe time heals all wounds. Intentional healing does.
I started making goals. Goals concerning my health and wellness. I made an old school vision board with cut-out magazine pictures that I hung beside my bed.I wanted to eat better. Pray more. See a counselor. Go on mission trips. Have healthy friendships. Maybe even fall in love again.
I believed I could heal. Not overnight, but step by step.
Healing is like training for a marathon. You don’t wake up one day and just run 10 miles. You walk. You stretch. You stumble. But you keep going.
God won’t do your part—but He’ll walk it with you. He’ll give you strength for each step.
5. I Believe I Can Heal
This one might sound simple, but it’s everything. I believed I COULD and WOULD heal.
Even on the days when I still cried. Even when I still had triggers. I held on to the truth that healing is possible.
It’s not always fast. In fact, it rarely is. But when you walk with God through it, you get better. Because we serve a God that actually says what He says He will do and is who He says He is.
Philippians 3:13-14 says to forget what’s behind and press forward. That doesn’t mean we ignore the past—but we don’t live there anymore. We press on. We let God peel off the weights, one by one.
Healing is scary. But staying stuck is scarier. You were made to move forward.
You Can Heal From Abuse
I encourage you dear friend to be intentional. Take the step. Call the counselor. Pray the scary prayers. Set the healthy boundary. Join the support group (if you would like to join mine you can here.) Make the vision board.
God is walking with you. He’s not rushing you, but He is pursuing you.
Take your healing seriously, friend. We live in such a dark world and as Christians we need discernment, to know our identity and authority in Christ and the strength to withstand the enemy.
You are worthy of being healthy and whole. Take some time to assess your own beliefs and set some goals for yourself today.
He is Faithful,
