Angela Sumner carried the scars of a painful past for decades. From a young age, she felt the emptiness left by her father's absence, and during a church trip in her teens, she suffered sexual abuse at the hands of a deacon's son. That trauma made her believe that no one could protect her—not even God.
“I just wanted to be loved and feel safe,” Angela recalls. But instead of finding refuge, she learned to distrust everyone and tried to control every aspect of her life. The search for security led her down twisted paths: alcohol, drugs, empty relationships, and even the occult.
“I felt I had to depend on myself for everything. I needed to have control over every situation to ensure my protection and basic needs. And I was completely exhausted,” she confesses.
The Escape into the Occult
In college, Angela began practicing yoga and meditation, which led her into a deep dive into the occult. She avoided God, believing He saw her only as an unworthy sinner. “I didn't want to find God. I only saw Him as someone who hated my sins,” she says.
Yet, in the midst of such darkness, a friend kept inviting her to church. One day, Angela accepted the invitation, and for the first time, she felt God's presence in a real way. “I felt a love I had never experienced before. It was as if a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders,” she testifies.
The Encounter That Changed Everything
Angela surrendered to Christ and began a process of inner healing. She sought biblical counseling and began studying the Scriptures. Verses like Psalm 34:18— “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit”—became anchors for her soul.
“Jesus filled me in a way that nothing and no one ever could. He is the Father who never abandoned me,” says Angela, now healed and free. She found purpose in helping other women who have suffered similar traumas, sharing her story as proof of God's restoring power.
What the Bible Says About Healing from Trauma
God's Word is filled with promises of restoration for the brokenhearted. In Isaiah 61:1-3, we read that the Lord sent His Anointed “to bind up the brokenhearted” and “to comfort all who mourn.” Jesus Himself declared, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
No matter how deep the pain, God is an expert at turning ashes into beauty. He not only heals wounds but gives us a new identity in Christ.
A New Beginning
Today, Angela Sumner is a voice of hope for many. She ministers in churches and events, telling how God's love freed her from bitterness and fear. Her testimony echoes Psalm 40:2-3: “He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.”
If you also carry traumas from the past, know that God is not distant. He cares and desires to restore every area of your life. Seek help in a healthy Christian community, pray, and allow the Father's love to heal your deepest wounds.
A Reflection for the Reader
What areas of your life need to be surrendered to God today? No matter what you have been through, He is faithful to complete the work of healing in you. Remember: trauma does not have the final word—Jesus has already overcome.
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