Beyond Survival: Reclaiming My Life After I Survived Rape

by Amanda Collins Johnson, Ashley Sears (foreword)

The night I was raped, my soul was murdered, and I received a lifelong membership to a club I had not sought to join. I tell you my story with raw and vulnerable honesty to help those who are also “club members.”

Eight minutes of one dark night in a college campus parking garage changed Amanda’s life. After the rape, she spiraled down, battling shame, denial, and the agonizing pain of not being believed. Those eight minutes started a lifelong journey that eventually included forgiveness and walking in freedom and liberty through her faith in Christ.

Amanda Collins Johnson courageously shares her testimony of going from merely existing to being able to help those who have survived sexual assault know that living an abundant life in Christ is possible. Insightful tools for understanding the survivor’s heart will assist those who love the victims of assault as well as those who advocate for them and minister to them.

139 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 10, 2023

Reviews

[Karla Osorno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating 5 stars.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

“Allowing Jesus to heal us while surrounding ourselves with people who will speak and love life back into us will revive a spiritual pulse that has flatlined.”

Amanda is a lovely woman, friend, wife, and mother. When she was 22, an evil man murdered her soul through rape. This is the story of her journey from victim to victor.

In Beyond Survival: Reclaiming My Life After I Survived Rape, Amanda articulates how eight minutes changed her life and how she beautifully leaned on her faith in Jesus to move forward and reclaim the vibrancy that evil attempted to steal.

This is a true story, well told, that will encourage readers as they wrestle with faith, identity, struggles, trauma, healing, and more. I highly recommend this to all - women and those who love women - because the violent crime of rape affects everyone. Believe it. Read it. Talk about it. And be about engaging in the healing of our families and communities. Amanda courageously shares and helpfully offers her road map. Just like rape doesn’t define Amanda, this book is not defined by the traumatic event. Instead Beyond Survival focuses on the power of faith and the hope of healing.

[Jacci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda tells her story with grit and grace. She has survived what all of us fear, a rape at gunpoint. She does not sugarcoat the depth of despair this action leads to. She tells us honestly of her years of struggle. Yet, she also tells us of her constant desire for healing and hope through her relationship with Christ. She will be the first to say things aren't perfect, but she will also tell you things can get better and not to give up. Thank you to the author for this candid, honest, heartfelt read. I especially appreciate how you include the reader with thoughtful questions to consider along the way.

[Candi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible story of strength, vulnerability, and relying on faith to get you through the tough times. I am so glad I picked up this book.

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend. Amanda is so vulnerable & real. Deep trials often cause us to ask tough questions of God, and she illustrates what that looks like without abandoning her faith. I’m thankful to know her. I’m thankful God equipped her to boldly share her story.