From Hiding to Healing: A Journey Back to the Woman God Designed Me to Be

There was a season when I disappeared—not physically, but emotionally, spiritually, and purposefully. I was present, yet I wasn’t really there. Fear had a grip on me so tight I could barely breathe. Anxiety wrapped itself around my voice, and shame whispered lies that I began to believe.

I wasn’t always this woman who speaks courage and healing over others. For a long time, I lived small, convinced that hiding was safer than being seen. Safer than being known. Because being known meant being vulnerable. And being vulnerable meant risking rejection, judgment, or failure.

But God.

God doesn’t let us stay hidden forever. Not when He’s placed something so powerful inside of us that the world needs. Not when our story, no matter how broken or bruised, is the very key to someone else’s freedom.

He met me in the dark places—where depression lingered and identity was buried under the rubble of pain. And He whispered a new narrative: “You are not what happened to you. You are who I say you are. Called. Chosen. Courageous.”

Healing didn’t come all at once. It came in layers, in steps of surrender, and in moments where I chose to believe His truth over my feelings. I started showing up again—not as the polished version of me, but as the real, raw, healing-in-progress version. And that was enough.

Now, I’ve made it my mission to help other women do the same. Through Courageous Her, I’m creating space for women who are healing, rising, and stepping into the fullness of who God designed them to be. We don’t have to wait until we “have it all together” to walk in purpose. We just need to be willing. Willing to be seen. Willing to be brave. Willing to begin.

Because the truth is, you already are her—the woman you’ve been praying to become. She’s just been waiting for you to believe it.

So here’s your reminder:
You don’t have to keep hiding.
You don’t have to keep pretending.
God is not finished with your story.

There is beauty after brokenness.
There is purpose in your pain.
And there is a powerful woman rising within you.

Welcome home to her.