In her book, Breathe Again, Nicola asks, “How did I get here? How do I get out? How does one hold on to faith when it’s used to harm you? Is that even possible?” and, “What do I do now?” Nicola and her husband Jason were groomed in a Christian cult. This true account of seven years in an abusive church will show what goes on in a controlling religious group.
It looked great at first. They were made to feel like family, but behind the hyped-up presentation and glamorous stage was a sinister partnership that soon controlled every aspect of their lives—including their finances, parenting, weight, and time. The book explains how they were taught to obey spiritual leaders, and how they finally got out.
The family moved away from everyone and everything, taking just their two daughters, two cats, and basic supplies in a minivan and U-Haul trailer. It was a drastic escape that she knew had to happen, or else the family would be manipulated and coerced back in, to spend even more of time, efforts, and money supposedly ‘serving the Kingdom of God’.
Breathe Again took Nicola years to write because she was carrying around so much anger, resentment, and unforgiveness. She knew this story needed to be told, but she didn't want to write an angry rant. She waited until God clearly spoke to her heart in November 2022 about forgiveness - as in "Do it now!" That day in India, when she heard God speak, changed her life. This story was written in November 2022, before and after breast cancer surgery and treatment. Her heart and emotions were poured out in this book. Nicola’s hope is that Breathe Again sheds light on spiritual abuse, and helps people get out from the grip of pastoral tyranny and into the grace of God. She wants people to know God is able, willing and ready to set us free, even from things that look deceptively like they are glorifying God.
Breathe Again, is a story of hurt, hope, and healing and is available at this link https://a.co/d/ftrY1Q5
Nicola is also involved in a ministry providing food to needy people in Haiti. (What an amazing woman!) Here is the link for more information.
Photo courtesy La Lumiere.
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