Healing is a process. Just like when you suffer PHYSICAL trauma, PSYCHOLOGICAL wounds require treatment and TIME to heal. Most healing can not be done without shedding a few tears. Probably the most important things I've learned about the healing process following childhood sexual, physical, emotional and ritualistic abuse are these:

Be patient with yourself and the process!

There is no prescribed time table for this type of healing.
It takes as long as it takes!
It's counter-productive to beat yourself up if healing seems to be
taking a long period of time or you have an occasional set back.

Everyone is unique!
Even identical twins (like me) will not take the same path on their
journey to "wholeness."
It's healthy to celebrate your uniqueness.

You don't need to remember everything about your abuse or trauma to make enormous strides in your recovery.

You don't have to go it alone!
There are awesome, trained, caring professionals out there who can
help you along the way.
Your heavenly Father loves you and is there for you.

HAVE FAITH!
If you keep working, IT WILL GET BETTER!
Even after very heinous abuse, torture and/or trauma it is possible to
come out of the shadows of despair in to the sunlight where you can
blossom and grow as a healthy person.

EVERY human being is VALUABLE and WORTHWHILE by nature!
You DON'T have to DO anything to be precious or worthy of
happiness-You already ARE!
If you choose not to work at recovery and healing from past hurts, you
are still a worthwhile individual.

Learning to let go of your past and forgive your abuser(s) is probably the most difficult of all, but it is ultimately attainable.
Holding on to past rage, grief and fear ONLY HURTS YOU!
As hard as it is to realize, your abuser(s) have moved on.
Hanging on to the past allows your abuser(s) to still have power over
you!

LETTING GO AND FORGIVING, GIVES YOU BACK YOUR POWER!

Learn more about this author, Hope Forus.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Testimonies: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
We want to hear your view. Write now!