Not all of us can discuss the demons of our past. For some it is too traumatic, shameful or painful. For others there is nobody they can tell. Whatever the reason there are those amongst us today who carry an unspoken pain. They bear the invisible scars of unseen battles still raging behind their sad, desperate eyes. This post is for them. They may be silent, but they are not forgotten.
Not Forgotten
Published by Fractured Faith Blog
We are Stephen and Fionnuala and this is our story. We live in Northern Ireland, have been married for 17 years and have three kids - Adam, Hannah and Rebecca. We hope that our story will inspire and encourage others. We have walked a rocky road yet here we are today, together and stronger than ever. We are far from perfect and our faith has been battered and bruised. But an untested faith is a pointless faith. Just as a fractured faith is better than none at all. We hope you enjoy the blog. View more posts
You are right. Some things are too painful. Thankfully we have a Higher Power who listens and understands and forgives. 🙏
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Thank you Larry.
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Your thoughtfulness resonates with so many. As we in the States approach Thanksgiving, there is much to be thankful for. And many who are in need of our thoughts, prayers, kind actions and listening ears. I pray that I can be as sensitive to the needs of others in this season. Thank you for making me think beyond myself.
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You’re welcome Denny. Happy Thanksgiving
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This is a beautiful and heartfelt post and I add my love and prayers to it. God bless you Stephen and Fionualla, and your family. x
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Thank you very much Lesley.
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🖤
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Thank you for posting this. It’s very empathic.
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You’re welcome.
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I believe that we can overcome our demons and shames secretly without having to express them openly. Many things I’m ashamed of, but now feel clarity over because I’ve overcome them and made peace with myself,Not having had to discuss them openly to anyone else.
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I’m the opposite, I’ve had to open up to others in order to make progress. But we are all different and I’m happy you are in a better place now.
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Beautiful
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Thank you.
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Thank you for a heartfelt, touching post
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You’re welcome.
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The fear of being judged keeps most of them quiet.I wish people would just listen and help if they could without judging or pointing out mistakes
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I totally agree. Thank you.
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You just made me cry into my morning coffee. Thank you so much, I needed to see this.
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I hope they are good tears 🙂
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I think they key for me was finding others who encouraged me in my sharing my story. They gave me validation when I spoke about my trauma and did not shame me for doing so. This happened both offline IRL, as well as on my blog. It paved the way to liberation out of the bondage of darkness and shadows; the pain that had held me captive for so long. It’s a process not an event, so it’s ongoing.
In AA it is often said “we are only sick as our secrets.” The longer I kept my trauma inside me the more I suffered in silence and felt separated and disconnected from others. At times, I still do but it is improving.
There is always someone willing to listen. It a matter of our willingness to find them and take the risk to share. I chose people who had a good of trauma but also were in recovery from said trauma. People who were willing to show vulnerability and courage in sharing their stories.
For all those people who are still suffering, you will share if and when you are ready and not a moment before. For folks who feel they need their anonymity, and their trauma is too shame producing to discuss as them (part of my story included being a victim of childhood incest) it’s helpful to begin a blog anonymously and write about the trauma. Using specific tags, this enables like victims to find each other.
There is always hope. It’s just around the corner. Believe!
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Thank you for the great comments
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Thank you so much for your blog. Your words mean so much. God bless you always.
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Thank you Jenny. You’re welcome.
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Thank you.
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Shared on the book of faces.
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Thank you ☺️
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Great blog. Thank you.
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You’re welcome. Thank you.
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Stephen, thank you for your posts. I enjoy them all, but I appreciate those that are heartfelt and bring awareness to the issues so many of us struggle with. Experience has taught me to share those things I kept secret for so long. Unfortunately, that creates a vulnerability that’s often hard to bear. The more people are aware of mental illness and the brokenness so many suffer from, the less judgmental and empathetic they can be. We become to see each other as an “us” and not a “Them”. Thank you and have a blessed holiday season.
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You’re very welcome. Thank you for your kind words
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There are many things that I wish I could discuss, but I keep silent because I fear discussing others shame. I know I’m not required to protect people, and that I don’t owe anyone anything, but there has already been so much judgment and condemnation in my life – most of based upon people’s ignorance. I fear exposing secrets, and allowing people to once again express their opinions.
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I understand your rationale for thinking this way.
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Thank you.
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You’re welcome
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