People helping people overcome their
"Hurts, Habits, and Hang-ups"

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Women in Recovery from Abuse

This is a Christ-centered group for women in recovery from past physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse.  One of the keys to success in this recovery program is the coming together of people with similar backgrounds who also have common goals and objectives.  Our common background is a history of abuse and our goal is to enter into or maintain recovery.  Recovery for us is a two-fold issue.  We need healing from the traumas done to us at sometime in our past, we also need healing from the influence these past experiences continue to have on our present lives.

One of our objectives is to provide a supportive, safe environment.  We respect and acknowledge each woman's right to be where she needs to be on her own rod to recovery.

As with any Christ-centered recovery group we believe that, by our participation through active listening, sharing and application of the 12 Steps to our lives, the Holy Spirit will guide us to further understanding, healing and wholeness.

We are not here to lecture, preach, fix or provide therapy.  We are here to tell our story.  We come together to share in our weakness, for it is in our weakness that we gain strength.  Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 “Two are better than one… if one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!  …A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

There are other advantages for coming together as a group.  One is accountability.  We can look to others to honestly let us know how we are doing in our recovery.  Another is sharing encouragement.  The center of the word encouragement is courage.  We need others who have been there to give us courage.  

In a group we can develop a support system.  We find we are not alone.  Others share similar stories.  Support can include finding a sponsor for added  support and encouragement.

Another important advantage is prayer support from the group.  When we come together we share spiritual gifts. 

The Problem:  Survivors of Emotional, Physical and Sexual Abuse

·         Are hesitant to identify themselves as victims of abuse.

·         Feel isolated, depressed, worthless, shameful, and helpless to change.

·         Are struggling with feelings about God in relation to their life experiences of being
  abused.

·         Condemn themselves, trying to deny that being abused in the past somehow affects
  present circumstances.

·         Feel out of control; defeated in areas of compulsive behaviors.

·         Feel angry, bitter, rebellious, having trouble with authority figures.

·         Feel a lack of self-worth.

·          Are preoccupied with thoughts of what it means to have a “normal” relationship with
   others:  men, friends, family.

·         Question their own sexual identity and may experience confusion regarding their own
   sexuality.

·         Desire to regain their sexuality and feel safe intimately.

·         Question self-reality:  “Who am I?”

·         Question whether life has a purpose for living.

·         Feel “at home" in crisis situations.

·         Struggle with perfectionism or “all or nothing” thinking.

·         Desire to have victory through Christ over the life experience of abuse.