Let that settle into your spirit.
Many women delay their healing process because they think they have to be ready—strong, whole, or past it all somehow. But healing doesn’t start with strength. It starts with surrender. It begins when you whisper, “I don’t want to carry this anymore.” And that moment? It’s a victory. A sacred turning point. A powerful beginning.
If you’ve been carrying pain for years, wondering if overcoming past abuse is even possible, I want you to know this: just starting the journey is already a victory.
When you’ve lived through abuse—whether it was emotional, verbal, physical, spiritual, or a tangled mix—you become skilled at carrying pain without letting it show. You learn how to smile when your heart aches. How to downplay the damage because admitting it feels dangerous. You survive by minimizing the hurt, by staying quiet, by adapting.
But the thing about survival is, it’s not the same as living. Somewhere along the way, the numbness sets in. Trust becomes a foreign language. The guilt, the confusion, the constant questioning of “Was it really that bad?” keeps you stuck in a loop that feels impossible to escape.
You may not have had the words to describe what was happening, and maybe you still don’t. That’s okay. Just recognizing that something inside you doesn’t feel right is often the first whisper of healing calling you forward.
Let me tell you something that may surprise you: you’re not broken. You’re not weak. You’re not too late or too far gone. You’re carrying trauma, yes—but more than that, you’re carrying strength you don’t even realize yet.
We compare our healing to others constantly. We see women who look like they’ve moved on, who seem joyful and free, and we assume we missed the memo. But healing isn’t linear, and it’s definitely not a competition. You’re not late to this journey. You’re right on time.
Overcoming past abuse doesn’t happen in one moment—it happens one moment at a time. It begins with honesty…allowing yourself to name what happened. With realizing that the shame you’ve carried isn’t yours to hold. It starts when you let the truth rise to the surface and begin to believe—maybe for the first time—that you deserve peace.
It also starts when you stop performing. You don’t need to pretend you’re okay or be spiritually “strong enough” before healing begins. You don’t need to quote the right verses or have a perfect prayer life. You just need to say, “God, I’m hurting—and I want more than this.” That moment is holy. That moment is enough.
If you’ve asked this, you’re not alone. I asked it, too.
Where was God when I was hurting? Why didn’t He stop it? If He’s good, if He’s close, why does it feel like I’m drowning?
These questions don’t scare God. In fact, He welcomes them. He doesn’t demand polished prayers or perfect trust. He invites the raw, the real, the barely-holding-it-together cries of your heart.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18
That verse isn’t just poetic—it’s a lifeline. It’s a reminder that God doesn’t require you to be unbroken before He draws near. He sits with you in the breaking. He whispers to you when no one else sees your tears. And He walks with you—not just toward healing—but into a deeper relationship with Him that was never dependent on your performance.
God doesn’t abandon us in our pain—He meets us there. He doesn’t ask us to clean up before He shows up. He walks with us through the mess and offers not just survival, but restoration.
Sometimes healing looks like writing down words you’ve been too afraid to say. Other times it’s letting yourself cry after years of holding it in. It could be turning down a toxic invitation or finally telling a trusted friend what happened. It might mean getting still, listening to your body, and realizing it’s been shouting for help in ways you didn’t recognize.
Healing can be awkward. It can be quiet. Sometimes it’s slow, and sometimes it comes in sudden waves of clarity or grief. But no matter what it looks like, it matters. And every step counts.
It doesn’t have to be dramatic or public. It just has to be yours. Your step. Your choice. Your beginning.
If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few small, soul-honoring steps you can take today. You don’t have to do all of them—just pick one that feels possible.
Write one honest sentence about your experience. Even if it’s just, “That wasn’t okay.” This step invites truth into your healing process.
It might feel awkward, but speak kindness to yourself anyway. Try: “I didn’t deserve what happened, and I’m allowed to heal.”
You don’t need fancy prayers. Just talk to Him. Try: “God, I want to heal. Will You help me?” That openness is enough. He’s already near.
These steps may feel small, but they are sacred. They open space for truth to breathe. And truth is what leads to freedom.
The Yesterday’s Gone workbook is your next step—a guide to help you walk through the layers of your story and begin the process of overcoming past abuse with grace, truth, and faith.
Inside, you’ll find scripture, reflective exercises, and honest guidance to help you break free from the shame and lies that abuse left behind. You won’t just learn what healing looks like—you’ll learn how to walk it out, one step at a time.
Because healing isn’t just for other people.
It’s for you.
And your first step?
It’s already a victory.
P.S. Want encouragement as you go? Join my email list and I’ll send you weekly reminders that you’re not alone.
loree@loreetamayo.com
210.326.6662
1320 Arrow Point Drive, Ste. 501
Cedar Park, TX 78613
Design by Bradcable