Blog Series: Step 1: Are You Struggling? (3-minute read)

BLOG & PODCAST SERIES:

7 Steps to Go From Broken to Blest

STEP 1: ACKNOWLEDGE YOU ARE STRUGGLING

Today’s blog closely correlates with my new podcast series:

https://YouTube.com/@theinspirationcafewithadele/videos  

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Scripture of the Day:

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you;   

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”   Isaiah 41:10 / NIV Bible

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We all struggle at times, I know I have. But regardless of the adversity we face, we need to remember that we are profoundly and unconditionally loved by an awe-inspiring God who makes all things possible—No one is exempt from God’s Love!

As a retired nurse, Chaplain, author and podcast host, and survivor of childhood trauma, I especially want to help others who are experiencing the long-term effects of childhood trauma, and subsequently long-term infirmity, depression, and/or PTSD. By so doing, I pray they will discover God’s blessings of comfort, peace, and healing that await them. To help people know they are not alone in their struggles; and help them to trust that God is with them always, especially in times of adversity.

As some of you know, I had a most unusual childhood. Mom struggled with serious mental illness. Dad led a double life in the Mafia, and took me on “business” with him from the age of 4—so I saw far more than I could ever process. As a result of the childhood trauma I experienced, I struggled physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually for decades. Repressed memories prevailed, so I didn’t know the reason why. Weary and overwhelmed, I felt lost and hopeless, like there was no help for me. So alone. But eventually I was able to heal…

The Turning Point

Due to untreated childhood trauma, I developed a life-threatening neuro-autoimmune condition/myasthenia gravis (MG) that went undiagnosed (repeatedly misdiagnosed) for 40 years. Today, I still require being on a Bipap respirator for 3 hours each afternoon and through the night, as MG causes muscle weakness, and hence, difficulty breathing, walking, intermittently, have garbled speech. For years I have been in and out of ICU and critical care due to remissions and exacerbations. But God has healed me in so many ways, how could I possibly complain?

Once I began having unsettling, flashbacks and nightmares from my untreated childhood trauma, memories resurfaced and I finally got the help I needed. I was diagnosed with PTSD and major depression– all caused by the early trauma I had endured as a child. However, with God’s unfailing help, after 4 decades of mind-body torment, I started journaling with the help of my therapist and a wonderful Psychiatrist, and that is how I wrote my recently updated book, From Broken to Blest: Embracing the Healing That Awaits You. It was then, with God’s help, that I was finally able to put aside much of my struggling, and was able to start living a blessed life with courage and purpose. So how was I able to  heal and go From Broken to Blest?

 Sometime Healing Is a God-Job

First I had to admit to myself that I was struggling, and needed healing in mind, body and spirit. Not easy to do. But I prayed fervently and also got professional help. I was soon diagnosed with PTSD from childhood trauma and depression, and received treatment for both. Realizing that my healing could *only* happen with God’s help, I knew my healing was a “God-job” if there ever was one. I turned in my despair to Jesus, the Great Healer, and prayed and asked for His help as I had nowhere else to turn. And He did just that! By so doing, I quickly learned that God was all loving, ever present, and life-saving… the polar opposite of my own father, (and mother).

So I prayed and asked God for His help, and soon my life began to steadily change for the better. It did not happen overnight, but took some time, I was eventually able to embrace the healing that God had waiting for me through forgiveness: the key to health and happiness. For me, healing happened when I discovered, then later developed, the 7 Steps to Go From Broken to Blest, the title of my new podcast series.

The Great Healer 

Healing is still in progress, as I seem to be on the Miracle Installment Plan. But God has brought me tremendous emotional and spiritual healing, strength, and inner peace, as I place my trust in Him. Since then, I have experienced mind-body healing in countless ways—too many to recount here. God also instilled in me a joyful spirit, despite the medical adversity I still live with, and for that, I am eternally grateful! I have a brand new perspective and life in Christ, and my greatest desire is to serve Him, The Great Healer, with all my being. as I help others to go From Broken to Blest with Jesus’ unfailing help and saving grace, and embrace the healing that awaits them, too.

© Copyright   |   Adele M. Gill

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About the Author

Adele M. Gill is a retired RN, certified Chaplain, freelance writer, author of 6 books, and a recipient of the International Positive Change Podcast Award https://theinspirationcafeblog.net. She is also the founder/author of The Inspiration Café Blog. Adele may be reached via email at: [email protected].