About the Book:Journey-To-Heal

Journey to Heal: Seven Essential Steps of Recovery for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse (Kregel, April 2016)

A path of hope and healing for survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

An individual who was sexually abused as a child is confronted with many internal questions: Am I worthless? Will I get past the pain? Do I matter to God? These and similar questions can carve a deep hole in an already wounded soul. Too often, the lies of worthlessness are believed, the pain becomes too much to handle, and survivors find themselves making choices that lead to more heartbreak. With over 42 million survivors (both male and female) in the United States alone, the need for a clear path to healing is great.

Crystal Sutherland—herself a survivor of CSA—knows that while the recovery process is complex, healing is possible with God’s help. For women who want to progress from simply coping to living abundantly, Journey to Heal guides readers through seven essential steps to recovery found in Scripture. Candid and open about her personal journey of healing, Crystal comes alongside her reader as a friend who understands. Infused with biblical truths, stories of hope from other survivors, and practical wisdom, this book leads women to discover the life of wholeness God has for them.

Purchase a copy: Journey to Heal: Seven Essential Steps of Recovery for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

 

MY REVIEW:

This is not a personal memoir, although I do share parts of my story along with the stories of several women I’ve mentored through this study. Rather, this is a road map to recovery. It is a travel guide for your journey, based on what God has shown me to be true in my own life. I don’t believe there is a one-size-fits-all remedy for the pain we feel. (Kindle Location 120)

Journey To Heal provides a 7-step framework to lead you on your journey of healing:

  • Commit To The Journey
  • Face The Truth
  • Share Your Story
  • Settle The Unsettled
  • Forgive And Let It Go
  • Discover Your True Identity
  • Establish Your New Life In Christ

One of the things I like about this book is that Sutherland emphasizes God’s love for us throughout the book, and roots our healing on this understanding. We all try various things to heal ourselves but often find these attempts fall short of actually aiding to our healing process; but actually leads to masking and hiding what we feel. As Sutherland reinforces throughout the book, only God can truly heal us and transform our lives. Sutherland even included a chapter dedicated to helping the reader understand God’s character in pain and suffering.

Survivors of childhood sexual abuse often get overwhelmed during their healing process, particularly during the early stages. Journey To Heal is written by an author who has experienced and understands childhood sexual abuse and provides survivors with a safe, non-threatening, healthy place to heal. I enjoyed how Sutherland takes the reader through a helpful road map for recovering that brings the reader through a safe process toward healing.

I also like how Sutherland provides a number of helpful activities throughout the book that will help the reader on their journey of healing. You’ll find it helpful to have a journal on hand to record insights and journaling responses and track your progress through the book.

If you are looking for a book to accompany you on your healing journey – one that will guide you through helpful and practical steps on your journey to healing from sexual abuse than Journey To Heal is a great resource to help you take steps toward healing.

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.

My story doesn’t end in abuse and brokenness, and neither does yours. (Kindle Location 124)

About the Author:

Crystal M. Sutherland is a writer, speaker, ministry leader, and mentor for survivors of sexual abuse. She has fifteen years of experience in ministry, including women’s ministry, youth ministry, worship, and Bible teaching. She has also written and led a women’s Bible study for female survivors of sexual abuse. Her work can also be seen on her active blog.

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Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and unbiased review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.