From Survivor to Overcomer: Hope and Healing for the Spiritually Wounded

If you’ve found yourself reading this, I want you to know one thing right away: you are not alone, and you are not forgotten.

Maybe you’ve survived abuse, abandonment, betrayal, or deep loss. Perhaps you have carried your trauma into church pews and prayer meetings, waiting for someone to see past your smile and hear the silent scream inside. If that resonates with you, I want to speak directly to your heart today.

There is hope. There is healing. And it is absolutely worth fighting for.

You’ve Already Survived the Worst

You have already made it through 100% of your worst days and nights. That alone makes you a survivor. However, I wish to address the part of you that does not wish to merely survive anymore—you desire to overcome.

And you can.

The Battle Is Real—But So Is the Victory

You have an enemy. He does not play fair, and he does not discriminate. He does not care if you are rich or poor, pretty or plain, outgoing or reserved. His only concern is that you are deeply loved by the Creator of everything—and for that reason, he hates you.

The devil is a liar. A terrorist. His primary battlefield is your mind. He whispers shame, fear, confusion, and despair. But God speaks truth, peace, clarity, and hope.

Scripture instructs us to “take every thought captive” (2 Corinthians 10:5), to “overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21), and to fix our thoughts on “whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable” (Philippians 4:8).

This is not merely spiritual talk—it is spiritual warfare. It is how you transition from surviving to overcoming.

The Power of God’s Truth

There exists a Father of Lies, and there exists a Father of Love. The distinction between the two is life and death—literally.

You were created with purpose. That purpose was not destroyed when someone hurt you. That purpose did not evaporate when trauma entered your life. It remains. Buried, perhaps. But not gone.

You do not require a surface-level, feel-good message. You require truth that transforms. Engage with the Word of God. Learn His character—not merely through sermons, but for yourself. Because when you know who He is, you will begin to understand who you are.

Healing Is a Choice—And It’s Worth It

What transpired to you was not your choice. However, how and if you heal is your choice.

And I wish to convey this: healing is worth fighting for.

You need not accomplish it all at once. Begin with one decision—to live.

Let me be candid: suicide is a permanent solution to temporary problems. If the enemy cannot destroy you through trauma, he will attempt to convince you to destroy yourself. Do not allow him to win.

Grieve Loudly and Freely

Healing encompasses grieving—and grief is not weakness. Grieve the childhood you lost. Grieve the innocence that was stolen. Grieve the relationships that fractured. Grieve the babies you lost or had to relinquish. Grieve it all. Give your grief a sound. Cry. Scream. Sit in silence. Whatever your grief sounds like—let it out.

For me, grief was not a singular event. It arrived in waves. Each wave brought a deeper layer of healing.

Learn Who You Really Are

One of the most powerful steps in healing is discovering your true identity. Not who trauma made you. Not who others told you to be. But who God says you are.

You are His. You are chosen. You are loved. You are redeemed.

There exists deliverance for your soul and healing for your heart. Not merely in theory—but in reality.

Hold Onto the Good

Healing is not solely about fighting battles—it is about embracing beauty. Do not cease seeking help. Hold the good things close to your heart. The people who love you. The scriptures that resonate with you. The small victories. The tranquil mornings. The moments you laughed and meant it. Treasure them.

To every survivor reading this: You are more than what happened to you. You were made for more. You are not just a survivor—you are an overcomer in the making.

Healing is not swift, nor is it always aesthetically pleasing. Yet it is possible. And it is holy.

So keep going. Keep fighting. And keep believing that with God, the best is still ahead of you.

~Pastor CJ