My story in a nutshell: I was brought into the controlling church at a very young age - so going to church five times a week (three hour services each week), having leaders tell people who they could marry and when they could go on vacation seemed normal to me. As a teenager and young adult I thought about suicide a lot. It seemed the only way to escape the control. My testimony is that God used a soldier on the opposite side of the world to help me escape. I was blessed with an amazing husband and great church friends who I have shared my experiences with and understand why I shake with uncontrollable fear when I enter a church of any kind. Also, my entire family is out of the toxic situation. I have so much to thank God for. My advice to you is to research these terms: toxic church, controlling leaders, mind control, spiritual abuse, fear, The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse (a book), Toxic Faith (a book), Healing Spiritual Abuse (a book). Read Shari's book 'Breaking The Chains'. The blog 'Provender' is a great clearing house of resources.

Shari, I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate the time, effort, and courage it has taken for you to write this book. We have been studying the Book of Esther, and I couldn't help but see a parallel with the two of you. She was called upon to speak up for the Jews, just as you have spoken up for all the victims. I witnessed many of the things you wrote about, but what really hit home to me was how you were not only writing your story but my story and hundreds of others as well. Only in a family do people share the same life experiences, unless they have grown up as we have.

I love the book and it is so well written. I think you are such an amazing person and I have always looked up to you. When I was a teenager you gave a testimony on Dickerson Rd. That really touched me and for the first time ever in my CGT life, I felt it was o.k. to be different (meaning we didn't fit into their mold, but needed to be loved!) To me it was such a comfort that Shari, who I looked up to so much, didn't fit either. To me, that moment and testimony was the beginning of God opening my eyes to the false corrupt religious system in which you and I used to attend. Thank you so much for this book. I love you !

I want you to know what a blessing your book was to me. Because of my background, I have had trouble with my faith in God. It was nice to know others have gone through the same things. I was molested by a family member and no one believed or did anything about it. Only by the Grace of God, I am where I am today. I pray God's blessings in your life and your family's. God Bless.

I just wanted to write you and tell you that your book was the best book I have read on the subject of spiritual abuse and I have read several on the subject. I think I enjoyed it more because you seem to be writing from a place of healing rather than injury. I am sure it was very cathartic for you. Many of the personal experience books I have read were not written from a healthy perspective, in my opinion. Your book was more beneficial/helpful to me than any other I have read. Thank you for that. Thank you for your courage in writing it. I am sure you have found this subject (spiritual abuse) to be more widespread than you realized. I hope your book hits the best seller list. There are people out there that need to read it that don't even know they need to read it. I am going to recommend it to everyone I know that has been through this.