YOUR Exodus Stories

Regained My Mental Health

In August of 2000, I was convinced that I was going to end up destitute and homeless, and decided that, quite literally, I would rather be dead. I got on a train and disappeared, on what was intended to be a one-way trip. I planned to write out the story of how I had ruined my life, and then end it. Three days later, and more than halfway across the country, the train went up into the Rockies, and I had a finger-of-G-d moment looking at the incredible landscape. I chose life! This was only the beginning of a long journey that involved regaining my lost health in several dimensions, freeing myself from a toxic life situation, and returning to a spiritual quest that I had more or less abandoned. Six years to the day, after getting on that train, I moved into a place that, for the first time in many years, was not just my address, but my home. And the quest continues...
--btbTrainman

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Found God in the Sex Industry

My story is nothing short of a miracle. I was on a long dark road tonowhere: a high class call-girl and porn star. I thought I'd never be able to leave the life of fast money and constant parties, but then G-d set me free. One day, for no real apparent reason, while in the middle of a porn shoot, I suddenly began waking up out of a seemingly very long sleep. Something snapped inside as I looked around the set and thought, Where am I and what am I doing here? That was the last time I worked as a porn star/prostitute. No matter how hard I tried, I could not return to my former life. Fast forward four years: finishing my first degree, established my successfuk coaching practice helping other women be all that they can, and I am considered an expert author. Passover holds a very special significance for me personally.
--Niecy65

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I am a Survivor

Like the Israelites in the desert, I too have experienced the good, the bad and the ugly! I lost my daughter to my ex. I sent her for visitation with him and he didn't send her back. Instead, on the first day of Pesach (2003) a sheriff came to my door with papers! I lost because I didn't have money for a lawyer. I lost my house and my dog as well. Then this last summer I had to have a hysterectomy. When the doc went in, she found cancer. I am a survivor, thus far. But, I have been in the E.R. three times from complications...In this time, it has been alot of reflection and holding on tight to God. I am trying to recover from all of this with resting, meditation and prayer...I may not be out of the desert completely yet, but the "promised land" is around the corner.
--Devorah54

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No Longer Codependent

My Exodus story begins when I was a child. I suffered childhood sexual abuse between the ages of 5 and 8 by three different people--one of which was a relative. I started writing at the age of 8, which in many ways was my saving grace. Throughout the teenage years of my life, I experimented with drugs, alcohol, and casual sex with no regard for my own self-esteem or with no love in my heart for myself. As I got older my mom and I went deeper into this codependency that was started when I was a child...During my adult years, our codependency was crippling to both of us--emotionally and physically...I lived with her and her husband until I was 32 years old.

The day I moved out of her house, she went to the hospital later on finding out she had a host of medical issues...It fell on my shoulders to take care of her...I started to develop my own medical issues until finally, I stood my ground and cut the cords between us...My mother has since passed on earlier this year and found her peace.

I am now living in a freedom that I never thought I would ever experience...I now know who I am, why I am here on Earth, and I am doing what I can to fulfill that purpose. I never knew freedom could taste so sweet. It's like cotton candy.
--tamekolashann

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Free from My Abusive Marriage

I have had a strong personal experience of exodus from an oppressive and sometimes abusive marriage. I was married young (19) and bore five beautiful and talented children--each an obvious gift of G-d. My husband was not well suited to fathering and had great difficulty committing to the relationship and family...He was easily tempted away and forfeited all of his children and loyal wife for an ongoing affair. Our 23 years of marriage was over and with the help of G-d, I moved away and began anew...My children are cared for. I have a home. I am about to graduate with a BA degree. Those days in captivity were dark and I am grateful for my freedom...

Every year at Passover, all of the symbols have double meaning for me, and I am reminded of the wonderful freedom G-d has seen fit to give me, as well as the bitterness I have left behind. All of it...a miracle.
--lauraras88

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Reconciled with My Lord

My parents were separated at the time, and I spent most of my time with my grandmother who was/is a great woman of God. I went through sexual abuse at the age of 5 or 6, as I grew up things just seemed to get worse...As a child I felt ugly, fat, and depressed. At the age of 15 I became anorexic...I was a mother to my two younger brothers and still am because my mother left us for a man when I was 14. I started smoking, drinking, and going out...

I had a boyfriend who I met when I was 13, became pregnant at the age of 16, and married him at 18. Our daughter was born with a heart problem--I call her my miracle baby because the Lord allowed for me to have her...

I was verbally, and physically abused by my husband. I prayed alot to be able to have the strength to leave him...I finally reconciled with my Lord and it has been the best thing I've ever done. I was given the chance to be in the music ministry and I was able to work with my pastors...I thank God for all of the things I have gone through because it has made me a stronger woman.
--Ivelisse1304

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No Longer a Loser

When I turned 40, I realized that I had spent the last 10 solid years clinically depressed. That realization was the beginning of my exodus. Like the Jews of Moses' time, I wandered in the desert of this new place. Knowing brought some relief, but I still could not see the promised land. On one occasion, when I was on an airplane flying across country to explore a possible new profession, I was deep in fear and anxiety about the future, as well as suffering from a huge fear of flying. I was ready to jump out of the plane to end my suffering. As I sat there looking out over the golden Grand Canyon, I heard a voice say, "You are not a loser." The thought that I was, in fact, a loser had underscored everything about how I saw myself for my 40+ long years. To consider that perhaps I was not a loser was a new, radical concept. It stopped me in my tracks. I decided right then to challenge that thought whenever it came into my mind and let go of it as the defining concept of my identity. In that moment, my path to freedom began. It has been five years since then, and I am still on that journey, and much closer to the promised land.
--Catrina120

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Free from a Selfish Friend

I've just gone through my own exodus very recently. A friend of mine has become very hostile and verbally abusive over the past few months...Another friend of mine, who also had to deal with this, and myself had spent so much time counseling this friend of ours, no matter how arrogant she behaved toward us. She insulted the other for not having a boyfriend and insulted me for having a boyfriend who didn't fit HER standards (though her "perfect" boyfriend was never around to help her with her issues as much as we have)...For several months I felt like I was going to explode. I'd spent so much time being angry and depressed about her hurtful words.

I didn't know what to do until recently. Now, my other friend and I have decided to free ourselves from her and discontinue our friendship with her because we just see no hope if we continued. Though I'm losing a friend, it's a major gain that I'm thankful for...As of now, I'm just thankful for no longer having to deal with so much emotional pain from someone I once respected.
--Blood_Bound

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Got a Second Chance at Life

I have overcome the control of my illness. Sixteen months ago I was told I had AIDS. I have come along way since then. My Faith in God has helped me TAKE control of this illness. Im grateful that I got a second chance at life. Now I am smarter and wiser in all my decisions. I no longer live an immoral life. My attitude is Great and im a very Positive woman. I hope to be able to give advise to anyone who has come upon and illness such as AIDS/HIV. Remember, your life is not over. God has blessed me with meds that are working and keeping me alive. You must keep up with a Great attitude and be very positive. Always keep your Faith. God is SOOO Good. I never gave up!! I NOW have the CONTROL over my illness, it does NOT have the control over me. God Bless all.
--"Always Have Faith"

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