“My Pathway to Growth and Renewal”

_{By C.W. A testimonial of a transformative journey in a professional woman, a loving wife and a mother. C.W. lives in Africa.}

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

I am celebrating as I type my testimonial. (please visualize me patting my back).

Sometimes I cannot believe that last year I was in such a bad mental state. I am grateful my friend referred me to “This is a New Day.”

When we started this journey I had low self-esteem, no motivation, bad sleeping habits, poor self-care, emotionally I was exhausted. I guess as in most cases, it had been a build up of years of bad coping mechanisms (maybe helpful at some point). I had poor communication or none at times to express how I feel, and in my case, a disassociation from reality to fit a dream I had. The tests we did diagnosed me as a depressed.

Through your kindness, guidance and love, we set goals. You kept me accountable and this helped form better patterns in my life. Together we burst my “dream bubble” and it was painful but from it growth spurt.

I am able to communicate with people, and especially my husband on how I feel without fearing rejection or judgment. I realized I will disappoint people from time to time and that doesn’t make me a bad person. I can set boundaries and that does not make me selfish.

I struggled with procrastination and although there had been improvement, a situation happened on Monday and it was a result of my procrastination and people pleasing trait, as I wasn’t honest about my limitation and challenges. I felt my world crumbling. My initial response was self-pity but very quickly I recognized it, and instead of running away (from my emotions and reality) I faced it. I knew I wasn’t a failure; I owned up to my mistake and I was honest, knowing I would potentially lose this client. There was a freedom from dealing with challenges in a healthy way. I felt motivated.

I want to add that on the Tuesday morning, in my quiet time with God, I thanked Him for challenges because it grows me and I felt that this bondage of procrastination was broken. I have new boldness and fearlessness that is empowering.

My marriage has improved. I am communicating better, and my better emotional spirit has somehow helped in my husband being more supportive. He has taken initiative to help with house chores, he is even making an effort to get involved with kids and we have set financial goals.

Yes, there is still some distance to go but this is the most progress I had made in years! I thank God who made each session possible and I am grateful for you, and your wonderful ministry gifts and professional skills.