Seen: Experiencing God's Tenderness After Brokenness

by Rebecca Medina Stewart

Where were you, God? If you love me, why didn't you stop the attack? Why didn't you heal my addiction or mental health struggles? How could I lose my baby?




SEEN is a heartfelt collection of devotional stories, prayers, and guided meditations that confront these questions and more. Rebecca weaves together powerful accounts of men and women who have journeyed through deep emotional pain, spiritual emptiness, and profound brokenness.




Believing in a good God can feel impossible when the world's darkness invades your life. In this 60-day devotional, Rebecca shares stories of those who, in the midst of their trauma, questioned God's presence-only to discover a compassionate and loving Father who never left their side.




SEEN will guide you in using spiritual disciplines to navigate the healing process. You'll find hope and experience the joy that Jesus brings as He delivers victory time and time again.




Rebecca Medina Stewart manages to show in so many different ways how God turns graves into gardens. Everything from her survival story of being sexually assaulted to people struggling with addiction to battling cancer. This devotional is unlike any I've read before and leveled up my personal walk with Jesus more than I could have ever imagined. A must-read whether you know God, or are just starting to seek him, or have never acknowledged him. A must-read for everyone! You will find peace that transcends all understanding.

- Julie Chen Moonves, CBS journalist, author of But First, God, and host of Big Brother 

305 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2024

About the author

Rebecca Medina Stewart, a former journalist and Emmy Award nominee is actively involved with her husband, Brian, in small group ministries at their local church in South Florida.

Rebecca endured a sexual assault during college and subsequently battled shame, depression, and suicidal thoughts for nearly 20 years. Her transformative encounter with a loving and tender God altered the course of her life. Now, she is devoted to helping others navigate their trauma and suffering so they can experience the same hope and healing she did.

For more information, visit www.rebeccamedinastewart

Reviews

[Jesslyn McCutcheon · Rating 5 out of 5]

SEEN is a compelling collection of devotional stories that journey through loss, grief, mental health struggles, and more, revealing how what once seemed impossible becomes possible through the trust and power of the cross. Rebecca Medina Stewart masterfully weaves these deeply moving accounts, capturing the emotional pain, spiritual emptiness, and brokenness of each story. Through her powerful storytelling, she paints a beautiful picture of God’s transformative work—turning ashes into beauty and restoring hearts. Highly recommended.

[Dawn R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penned with thoughtfulness, transparency, and compassion, Seen reveals the trauma and brokenness experienced by people who have suffered pain and cruelty at the hands of another, through the unimaginable loss of a child, in the intense suffering brought on by addiction, within the overwhelming desire to commit suicide, and in other excruciating seasons of deep grief and loss.

Within each story, the author reveals the faithful presence of a loving God who sees us and knows us, even when we feel unseen and unloved. Through prayerful meditations, the book guides us with the invitation to come into the presence of Jesus, where we will be fully embraced by his loving arms. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has ever felt damaged, scarred, and invisible, for within its pages you will come face-to-face with the only One who can truly see, know, and love you like no other, Jesus.

[Rachelle Keng · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is for the one who has felt betrayed or abandoned by God but wants to reconnect with Him again. The author uses her journalism background to tell the stories of broken-hearted people who hear God speak into their deep sorrow. Each of the 60 devotions has a scripture followed by a personal testimony and then a guided imagery meditation/prayer to re-focus on the tenderness of God.

The author also shares her own story of healing after she became a victim of sexual violence. She describes how Jesus rescued her from the feelings of shame. She compassionately meets the one who has been hurt by the evil of this world. It is refreshing to hear her honest voice in the Christian books genre.

I have not ever seen a book bring the tenderness of God to a hurting soul in the way “Seen” does. I felt like I was sitting with a friend who was holding my hand as I revisited some of my darker days. The author showed me that in my traumatic life moments, I was not abandoned. Instead, Father God, a tender papa, was there. And He continues to see my broken heart and wants to heal me.

This would also be a great resource for Christian counselors who are helping their clients who are wondering if God’s cares for their traumatic past experiences. A Must-Read!

[Virginia Byron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really is a life changing masterpiece. We bought several copies to give to friends and family members, as a Christmas gift. I was surprised to realize that this devotional shares the stories of many people who I personally know, people who attend my same local church! Not Bible heroes, not famous people; normal, imperfect people just like me. We all go through hardship, and we all know someone who has overcome something beyond terrible… But how did they do it? And have they really healed, or are they still carrying pain, and hidden wounds? The author has a wonderful way of telling real people’s stories, including her own and her husband’s, to share the HOPE and the HOW of achieving true, deep, emotional and spiritual healing after being stricken by loss or suffering. Each day combines either a section of someone’s personal story + a prayer, or a meditation based on that experience + a prayer. Take your time with it, soak in it.

This book came to my life at a time when I needed it the most, after dealing with a difficult mental health diagnosis. It has given me hope, and it has brought me closer to God in a very intimate way. I pray it does the same for you, as you dive into it, and feel SEEN by the Lord.

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the honor to pre-read SEEN by being a part of the book launch team . Every chapter was impactful and left an imprint on my mind and in my heart. Each individual story was inspirational yet at the same time, deep and encompassed the parts of humanity that can be difficult to reach. Rebecca effectively and gently accessed these stories, wrote about them and in turn allowed the reader to process with a prayer and meditation at the end of each story. To be able to create safety to collect all these stories, full of pain, redemption, and hope is definitely a gift. Rebecca‘s writing and interpreting of these stories and how God spoke to her through these stories was also beautiful to experience. The daily prayers and the meditations moved me and I believe healed parts of me I didn’t know needed healing. The book was well written, thought-provoking, inspirational and powerful. I’m excited to learn about the other stories in the full version. If they’re re anything like the stories I have already read then I’m excited to continue to see what God moves inside of me.

[Sindy Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Biblical Healing for the Soul!

This devotional book is unlike any other book that I have read.

The stories are so relatable. Rebecca tells these stories in a way that makes you feel like you are right there experiencing the lost, brokenness with each person.

I personally can relate to so many of the stories that have been shared in the book.
From grief to domestic violence to mental illness... Either I have been through it or know someone close that has gone through it.

After Rebecca takes you on this journey with each story, she then uses God's word to encourage, heal and soothe your soul.

My absolute favorite part of the book is the meditation section. I think the author should have her own meditation videos or maybe an app. I would definitely listen to it.

I would encourage everyone to read this book. We all need healing or know someone who does.

[Lea Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a lifeline for anyone wrestling with doubt or despair.

In this 60-day devotional, Stewart masterfully weaves together the raw, authentic stories of men and women who have faced deep emotional wounds, spiritual emptiness, and brokenness.

Through these accounts, readers are invited into a sacred space where questions about God’s goodness and presence are not only allowed but embraced. Rebbecca’s tender storytelling and the inclusion of prayers and guided meditations make this devotional not just a book to read but an experience to journey through.

What makes Seen so impactful is its ability to meet readers in their darkest moments, reminding them that even when God’s presence feels distant, He is a compassionate and loving Father who never abandons His children. Rebbecca’s words are a gentle yet powerful reminder that in our deepest pain, we are never unseen or unloved.

[Margaret Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than a devotional!
Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2024
This book is a powerful tool to help you confront the impacts of trauma and navigate the dark moments and years that follow. Whether you’re beginning or advancing your healing journey - or support someone who is - this book brings 60 days of Scripture, guided prayer, meditation, and reflection that create a truly transformative experience. Interwoven throughout are real stories that resonate deeply, reminding us that we are not alone in our pain. These narratives illustrate the powerful transformation of pain into hope, healing, and purpose, providing a roadmap for allowing God to work in your life. Highly recommend!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so beautiful! From the first pages of Rebecca’s story to that of a mother who lost a child, a life-long struggle with mental illness… the stories are so powerful. I know that it was written as a devotional, but I couldn’t put it down. I read right through and cried tears of sorrow and joy for the grace God showed the people featured. It’s a powerful book with transformative prose and the most beautiful meditations.
I have now purchased a dozen more to give out as gifts. I will reread again as a daily devotional, but what a wonderful read.

[Nina Cabral · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seen is an encouraging book where Rebecca shares honest and moving stories of people who faced deep struggles, and how they found God’s love in their darkest times. This devotional is about healing. If you’re going through a tough time, need healing from past trauma, or just want to get closer to God, this book will speak to you! It reminds us that even in brokenness, we are loved and never alone. A truly inspiring read!

[Ledy Martinez-Loor · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart needed to hear the words written on these pages. It is so easy to feel so broken, so hurt, so invisible and to just try to exist in this cruel world. But that’s not living! That is existing and we are not meant to live feeling like that! God is good. When we cry, he hears our sobs. He hurts when we hurt. This book explores pain in the most tragic and heartbreaking ways, but then shows us that we are SEEN and God is there for all of us! What a beautiful read!!

[Kim Mosiman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seen is a powerful book of hope and inspiration. Stewart digs deep into the broken parts of our lives and offers the promise of God's unfailing love. This is a must read for anyone who has lived through trauma or loved someone who has experienced deep pain.

[Gladys Childs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This powerful book grips you with its moving stories and God's redeeming work. SEEN is a must-read.

[Wanda Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

SEEN: Experiencing God's Tenderness is a must-read! It's incredible how this author can share these difficult stories but brings you back to that tenderness hug in a room with our God. Reminds us how we are never alone. Whatever hard time you are going through, God is sitting by you! Holding you! This is a must-read!