Life Beyond Dry Bones
Hope and Encouragement for Those Recovering from Childhood Sexual Abuse
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We may have different stories, but we all share the shame and pain, anger and confusion as survivors of childhood sexual abuse. I say “survivors” because you are still here. We all are in different stages of recovery and have developed our own way of dealing with the effects of abuse. We all make choices as an adult. Are they working for you? Recovery affects not only you, but your family, friends, co-workers, and other people who know you. For all who are in or approaching recovery, I strongly recommend that you find a therapist, counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist to work your way through the complexities of healing from childhood sexual abuse. God is the ultimate healer, yet he has given us people who are trained to assist in this challenging journey. Child abuse casts a shadow the length of a life time. Herbert Ward It takes courage to turn around and face broken pieces of your past. It takes strength to walk through the rubble of the past, live in the present, and cry for a future. This book is intended to share my story and the journey to recovery in an attempt to come along beside you and encourage you as you walk your own road to healing from the chaos and pain of you past. You are not alone.
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About the Book
Survivors of abuse have unique pasts, but the damage and pain are similar. Early-childhood trauma causes physical changes in the developing brain and a severing of emotions, and it distorts survivors’ perceptions about themselves and others, which can last a lifetime. Sexual abuse affects the body, mind, and spirit, and healing must include all three. Unfortunately, many abused and relationally broken wander through a maze of opinions and suggestions. In Life Beyond Dry Bones, author Ann Coffey tells how secular therapies offer partial help, but without the spiritual guidance, healing is fragmented and the recovery process incomplete. She tells how, with help from God, deep forgiveness and moving forward is possible. Life Beyond Dry Bones offers hope, encouragement and practical help from a Christian woman who has traveled the road from childhood sexual abuse to healing, forgiveness, and freedom. Coffey shares her story of abuse and how through therapy and prayer she started to come to terms with her past.
About the Author
Ann Coffey earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing and public health and did graduate work in family practice as a nurse practitioner. After twenty years in the nursing field, career opportunities changed, and she founded Morning Star Dog Training in California. Coffey now lives in Colorado where she writes and speaks at various settings encouraging those recovering from the effects of childhood sexual abuse.