“I gained so much peace and freedom in this study. I felt as though I was always drowning and no one could see me. I felt so alone and so numb. Broken by the messes I had made for myself through drinking, partying, and sex along with losing my brother and having a verbally abusive and manipulative mother, I was numb and pulling myself away from everyone. I wouldn’t allow myself to get close to anyone for fear they would be gone too, for fear they would betray me, and for fear that I couldn’t trust them. I couldn’t cry or laugh or feel anything. I couldn’t sleep or eat and was becoming very physically and emotionally careless with myself in believing and living lies. Until I met my husband. He showed me that I could be loved and be free in Christ, but there was still something missing. I still couldn’t feel emotion, and I definitely couldn’t make any friends except for my husband (and even that was sometimes a struggle). Our church was hosting this women’s small group (keep in mind I had never been to a small group and these sort of things frightened me to death) and my husband convinced me to go (well, his exact words were “You need this. We need this. You either go, or I am going to take you and drop you off”). Long story short, I went. And this has been the BEST few months of my life. I have become a Christian, let go of my fears, found truth in the Word of God, and truly believe that I am loved, not only by my husband but by God Almighty. The joy and peace that fills my life now is unspeakable. As hard as this study was to get through emotionally, it was one of the best experiences of my life. I am healed.”