The Ruth Institute

A challenge for you: Be gentler with yourself.

Abuse survivors often speak to themselves with a level of harshness they would never use toward someone else. Healing does not grow well in shame, self-hatred, or constant self-criticism.

So this week, challenge yourself to pause when the inner criticism starts. Replace one cruel thought with one truthful one.

“I should be over this by now.” → “Healing doesn’t follow a timeline.”

“It was my fault.” → “I was not responsible for someone else’s wrongdoing.”

“I can’t trust myself.” → “I’m learning to trust myself again.”

“I’m too broken for healing.” → “My story is still unfolding.”

“I’m alone in this.” → “God is with me, even when I feel alone.”

Small shifts in how we speak to ourselves are an important part of healing. You are allowed to heal without punishing yourself.