Spiritual Healing: Trauma Recovery and Healing from PTSD

Someone helped me! Then another person helped me, then another, then another! Somehow, along the way, I stayed true to myself, who I wanted to be, and, more importantly, who I didn’t want to be! At a very young age, I had to work hard to support myself! Babysitting and cleaning houses are how I provided for myself.

As I matured into an adult, a lot of brokenness from my early childhood was being put back together. My family was surrounding me, and that was something I had wanted for many years! I pursued my dream of becoming a hairdresser. At 25, I worked nights at a hair salon and cleaned houses during the day. After many disappointing relationships, I met my answered prayer, who became my best friend and my husband a few years later! At age 34, I was a mother to two little boys and a stepmom to my husband's children. After marriage, I stopped cleaning houses and focused on being a mother and hairstylist!

I believe those best days of my life brought me back to the worst. The birth of my children opened wounds that I had buried for many years.

At age 35, I was living my dream of owning my own Salon. At 40 years old, I had to have my thyroid removed because I was at high risk of having thyroid cancer. Within two years, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, Sjögren's syndrome. At 45 years old, I had to have a complete hysterectomy from the risk of cancer again. At 47, I sold my business and began working from home. That is when the second season of my healing journey began.

Throughout my life, I had a relationship with God. He got me through the worst times of my life and comforted me when I needed him the most! His love has been consistent throughout my life.

I cried out to God two years ago. I asked him to please heal my broken heart. That was on January 6, 2020. From that moment until today, God and I have been on an amazing healing journey. God led me to the mentors I needed to help me climb out of the pit of pain I had lived in my whole life. Over ten years ago, I felt the urgency to advocate for children. It was not until this last season of healing from PTSD that I realized my pain had created the passion that led me to my purpose!

The insecurities of being uneducated and abandoned left me feeling incapable of making a difference in this world. God has given me the mercy and strength I asked him for two years ago. I always thought that I was a strong person. Maybe not the smartest, but I knew I was an overcomer! I am incredibly grateful for the depth of healing I've experienced. I believe that trauma recovery occurs when one shares their pain. I hope to give others the courage to do the same by sharing my story. I recently wrote my manuscript. I shared my deepest pain as well as the pit of shame. I wanted to share with others so that they know they are not alone, and together, we can help heal a broken generation. Like I said, my pain created my passion to help others. In doing so, I've started a foundation for future generations.

My will is to bring Faith and Hope to our younger generation that is facing experiences they shouldn't have to endure.

- Kathy Finlan