July | 2021 | Stop This World

sur-THRIVER

J.L. Tesch

I had the opportunity a few months ago to be a guest on the sur-THRIVER podcast hosted by Rena Romano. Both Rena & I are members of the RAINN Speakers Bureau. She was looking for survivors to interview who came back in life stronger after sexual assault. At the time I didn’t think that I had come back in life stronger than before, but then I had to be honest with myself and remind myself that I’ve come out of the pit and I’ve hit a mountain top. I would typically play this down, but I’m done playing small. In the podcast I recount my assault and how I dealt with depression, anxiety & PTSD. We talk about what mental health means and what it means to be a sur-THRIVER in life. I hope that you will take a listen wherever you download your podcasts, or check us out on YouTube for the video.

A step forward in my recovery from depression, anxiety & PTSD caused by sexual assault is sharing my story with others.

She needs time, like we all do. Time to be OK with being OK. Because sometimes feeling right, after feeling so wrong for so long, is the hardest thing to get used to. -JM Storm

Don’t be afraid to start over

No regrets, just lessons learned

No more shame from mistakes from the past.

A real man will take a drunk girl home and make sure she is safe & sound. There is no room for sexual assault.

Anyone who listens to my teaching & follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.

Please hear me, girl: The world has enough women who know how to do their hair. It needs women who know how to do hard & holy things. -Ann Voskamp

Not everyone believes in her and not everyone supports her, but her God goes with her and that’s what sustains her. -Morgan Harper-Nichols

Instead of saying, “Lord I don’t know how I am going to do this,” say, “Lord, I can’t wait to see how you do this.”

Other people are going to find healing in your wounds. Your greatest life messages and your most effective ministry will come out of your deepest hurts. -Rick Warren

The irony is that we attempt to disown our difficult stories to appear more whole or more acceptable. But our wholeness-even our wholeheartedness-actually depends on the integration of all of our experiences, including the falls. -Brene Brown

Speak your truth with grace & integrity, even though it might upset some people. You never know who else, besides yourself, it might help. -Leila Summers

Telling your story of sexual assault and beginning to heal

You are a success when you have made friends with your past, are focused on the present, and are optimistic about your future. – Zig Ziglar