Sarah: From an abusive childhood and the depths of suicidal despair to a life of hope and freedom.

by Sarah Shaw

Subtitle: From an abusive childhood and the depths of suicidal despair to a life of hope and freedom Sarah Shaw looked in control of her life. She had a successful career as a manager in retail business. But she came to a point when she could no longer keep up appearances, by controlling her tormented inner world. So explosive was her inner pain, and so damaged was she by the consequences of childhood abuse, that she was eventually put on a lifetime's incapacity benefit. Her consultant psychiatrist was at a loss how to help. This story is not, however, about the horrors of abuse, but is an extraordinary testimony to the triumph of God's healing love. The author writes: "So many abused, hurting people don't understand their brokenness. They are stuck, as I was, in the tormenting symptoms of guilt, self-hatred, multiple fears, depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, eating disorders, self-harming and suicidal tendencies. The book gives insights into the Christian healing ministry I received and offers hope to victims of abuse, without negating the reality of the desperate inner conflicts and struggles." "This remarkable book is about true recovery of health by a deeply wronged woman, whom I met more than ten years ago. Rarely is this subject written about, and even more uncommonly in Sarah's calm and thoughtful way." Dr Geoff Searle MBBS. BSc. FRCPsych (Sarah's Pychiatrist) "A profound and moving story - it struck me that despite such harrowing experiences the human spirit can be so resilient and triumphant." Dr Adrian Hutchings MBBS. (Sarah's GP) "So many people around the world have been abused, and often their pain is muffled by secrecy. Thankfully the woman who wrote this book has decided to expose her pain to the light of Jesus Christ. By doing so she has found total healing - and I believe her decision to share her painful secret with the world will help many other abused people find complete emotional recovery." J. Lee Grady - Editor, Charisma Magazine

Genres: Biography

178 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2009

About the author

There is more than one author with this name.

Reviews

[Patricia Heuthe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This is so engaging and easy to read that I felt like I could fly through it. It touches every one who is broken and encourage you to believe God for deeper and deeper healing and helps you receive from Him the love that you need. I recommend it to everyone who believes in Jesus.

[Benjamin John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing testimony

[Bonny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book as difficult to review as it was to read. I read this almost 2 years ago now and remember how much I had to really push myself to get through to the end. Sarah had a devastating childhood that subsequently led to a devastating adulthood, with lots and lots and lots of psychiatric therapy. I found it very hard to believe, or more-so understand, Sarah's description of being 'fragmented' and the treatment of such a condition, however, I'm no psych, nor have I experienced what she has, so I take what she says as real, at least her own reality. This book is an extremely in-depth look at the horrific effects of serious childhood sexual abuse and the consequences of it upon an innocent child's mental, physical, emotional and spiritual state. It is an eye-opener. From my Christian perspective, I thank God that Sarah has a relationship with Him, knowing that only God can ultimately set her free from the anguish and horror of her past, and so I didn't see much sense in some of the particular psychiatric care she received. However, a lot of good did come from her treatment from her perspective and so the book helped me to understand the need that Sarah, and other people I've personally known, had in needing to behave/act/revert to being a child again, in order to somehow heal and move forward after such a traumatic experience in early life. I read this book in order to understand more about the effects of sexual abuse and to not judge what I don't understand. I wouldn't pick this book up if you're looking for just "a good read", but for a moving testimony to the power of God to deliver a miracle to a desperate soul, and the testimony of a woman who, despite the extreme difficulty all around her and, most of all, within her, wants to be free and achieves that through therapy, prayer, the love and support of those around her and most of all, God's love.