When a Minister Crosses the Line: Guilt, Shame, and the Fear of Not Being Believed

In this episode, I share a harrowing experience where my minister crossed the line, touching me inappropriately and making suggestive advances. I talk about the overwhelming guilt and shame I felt, believing it was my fault, and how this abuse affected my emotional well-being for years. What made it even harder was the fear that no one would believe me—after all, he was a trusted figure.

The trauma of this experience is just one piece of the bigger picture. Growing up in a cult, I was constantly navigating an environment of control, manipulation, and confusion. The shame and guilt I carried, both from this abuse and my upbringing, shaped how I viewed myself and the world for years. This episode reflects on how deep-rooted trauma can affect every aspect of life, making it incredibly difficult to shift from merely surviving to thriving. Healing from this kind of trauma isn’t linear, and the emotional weight of it can feel suffocating, especially when you’re left questioning your worth and struggling to break free from the lasting effects of a lifetime of control.