Starting the Year Forward: Faith and Healing in 2026
Welcome to the first episode of 2026! My name is Crystal Sutherland, your host for the Journey to Heal Podcast. If you are listening today, I want you to know this first: you are safe here, you are seen, and you are deeply loved by God.
As we step into a new year, many voices tell us to “move on,” “start fresh,” or “leave the past behind.”
But for survivors of sexual abuse, the new year doesn’t automatically erase the pain, the memories, or the questions. And God does not ask us to pretend those things never happened.
Instead, Jesus invites us to walk forward with Him—at His pace, with His presence, and with His healing.
At Journey to Heal Ministries, we believe healing happens in the presence of Jesus, through faith in him - with trauma informed support, education and community
* We do not rush the process.
* We honor each woman’s story.
* And we trust God to lead each step.
Starting the year forward doesn’t mean leaving your story behind.
It means inviting Jesus into it more deeply—and allowing Him to guide your healing one step at a time.
I hope this episode will help you take a fresh step forward in faith and healing this year!
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For available Journey to Heal Women's Groups visit us at: https://www.journeytohealministries.org/programs/groups [https://www.journeytohealministries.org/programs/groups]
Book recommendations (via Amazon or wherever books are sold):
Journey to Heal: Seven Essential Steps of Recovery for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse by Crystal M. Sutherland
The Journey to Heal Companion Guide by Crsytal M. Sutherland
Voices of Hope: 21 Devotions for Healing by Survivors for Survivors
Healing Everyday by Mary DeMuth
On the Threshold of Hope by Dr. Diane Langburg
Scritpures shared in this episode:
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
—Psalm 34:18
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning.”
—Lamentations 3:22–23
“He tends His flock like a shepherd… He gently leads those that have young.”
—Isaiah 40:11
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
—John 8:32
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
—2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
—Exodus 14:14
“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.”
—Philippians 1:6
Thank you for tuning in today! I hope you were encouraged in your journey of faith and healing.
We invite you to stay connected with us on our social media pages or via our monthly newsletter:
IG/FB: @journeytohealministries.org [https://www.instagram.com/journeytohealministries]
WEB: www.journeytohealministries.org [https://www.journeytohealministries.org]
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Journey to Heal Ministries is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit based in NC. Our mission is to help women heal from past sexual abuse by leading them to hope in Jesus Christ through providing trauma informed support, education, and community. If you would like to give towards our mission to help support our work, you can do so at https://www.journeytohealministries.org/donate.
Thank you again for listening!
