trauma & fear | Be Emboldened

How to Understand the Complexity of Trauma and Spiritual Abuse

Anna Kitko is a cult and new religions specialist with Ratio Christi, where she serves as the campus apologist at the University of...

Feeling "triggered" can be debilitating. Here's why it happens and what you can do to help yourself.

I was struggling to handle my anger well. My husband would say something to me, that while not truly the same, felt too similar to things...

How to Read Your Bible Without Hearing Past Lies in Your Head

Everyone reads the Bible through their own lenses, whether it be their upbringing, experiences, interests, worldview, or perspectives....

Young Life can do better, and they need to start now because tomorrow is too late.

On October 6th, The Michigan Daily published a Campus Life article entitled, “‘We will not be silenced’: UMich student survivors of Young...

My ex-husband convinced me that the Holy Spirit told him we needed to get married, but he was wrong

“We will be stepping outside of God’s blessing if we don’t get engaged.” Was it a threat? Spiritual abuse? Or the Holy Spirit speaking...

Do you feel inadequate because of lies you've been told in the past by unhealthy people?

Do you know that feeling of not being good enough? That combination of heaviness and tightness in your chest, with overwhelming sadness...

The life-changing moment that altered the future of generations and landed them in a religious cult

He loved to sing. He had a rare singing voice that could have opened many musical doors had he chosen to knock on them. Tears would fill...

Mentoring: the Myths and the Facts of a Mentoring Relationship

My seminary program required me to have a mentor for several semesters. I loved the idea of mentorship, but I didn’t know much about the...

4 Steps to decisions you can feel solid about today

I had a dream last night. Many, probably, but one that I remember because something really cool happened. In it, I was struggling with...

Your past does not condemn you, rather what you do with it can commend you.

My precious boy turned 3 today. His favorite gift was a singing Paw Patrol balloon. I made special birthday pancakes and we sang to that...

Were you raised to believe holidays were sinful? Reclaim this loss and find freedom to celebrate

What’s your theology of celebration? Is it simply a fun time with family and friends? Is the focus on a remembrance of some kind? Or is...

Even if you've been raised to obey, you can learn to critically think as an adult (and you should!)

In first grade, I was placed in an advanced learning program at my school. It was a really cool opportunity that focused on developing...