That many of our modern-day medicines are derived from herbs? That’s because “herbal plants are time-tested and approved sources of healing,” writes nutritionist and women’s health specialist Janet Maccaro in her book, Natural Health Remedies: An A-Z Family Guide. Though some Americans are still skeptical, Europeans have used herbs as medicines for centuries. So the next time you’re ill, consider asking your doctor for an herbal alternative to the medicine he prescribes. It may provide the same benefit without the negative side effects!

That many of our modern-day medicines are derived from herbs? That’s because “herbal plants are time-tested and approved sources of healing,” writes nutritionist and women’s health specialist Janet Maccaro in her book, Natural Health Remedies: An A-Z Family Guide. Though some Americans are still skeptical, Europeans have used herbs as medicines for centuries. So the next time you’re ill, consider asking your doctor for an herbal alternative to the medicine he prescribes. It may provide the same benefit without the negative side effects!

In October 1995, I was 34 years old and on my third marriage. While I was recovering from a major operation, my husband viciously attacked me. After choking and hitting me, he pushed me into the walls and threw me across the room.

Although I did not want another failed relationship, I was concerned for my son, who was 16, and my 11-year-old daughter. I kept wondering, What am I doing wrong?

We had dated for five years, but we separated after four months of marriage. I decided I couldn’t take the arguing, his adulterous relationships and now the physical abuse.

Later, my husband asked for a divorce. After I finally agreed, he began stalking me. He would call me and hang up and drive past my house day and night.

One evening he called to say he had the divorce papers for me to sign. The next morning, I stopped at his apartment.

After he let me in, he attacked me. He took out a gun he had hidden under a cushion on his couch and held the gun to my head.

As he cursed and taunted me, he pulled out a shotgun, loaded five shells into it, and put it to my chest. As I sat there, I heard the Lord speak so clearly, “It’s not your time.”

Many things went through my mind, yet, I had a peace I couldn’t understand. After being held hostage for three hours, I talked my husband into letting me go.

I filed a court order of protection against him and moved out of my home with my children. After my court date, I moved back in, but I restricted my movements to work and home. He continued stalking me.

One day, I was standing in my driveway with two of my son’s friends, when my husband walked up behind us with a gun. He threatened the boys and made them leave.

He hit me in the head with the butt of the gun and fired a shot into the air to force me inside the house. When I resisted, he pulled me into the house by my hair.

As I looked up at my husband, I prayed, “Lord, two weeks ago You said it wasn’t my time. Is it my time now?” The Lord said to me, “Peace, be still.”

The two young men went to get my son and called the police. We were in the house for about five hours with a SWAT team on the roof. While my husband was on the phone with a hostage negotiator, the police stormed the house, and my husband was killed.

Knowing he was not going to come out alive, my husband could have shot me first, but the Lord allowed me to live. Later God told me that I was to share my experience with other women and let them know they don’t have to stay in abusive relationships. My prayer is that people will see the mercy of God when they hear my story and understand the love He has for them.

When I was 4 years old, my mother was stricken with meningitis. I can recall the night an ambulance careened around the corner and took her away to a hospital.

My father returned in the morning, looking extremely weary. I heard him on the phone telling someone that her fever was 107, and I wondered what that meant. Fear seemed to have wrapped around him as though it were choking him.

I expected everything to return to the way things were before her illness, but when Mom arrived home from the hospital, things were not the same. Meningitis had left her suffering with terrible migraine headaches, seizures and memory loss.

The headaches tormented my mom, and she began relying on pain medication. Many times, I would find her slumped over, leaving me to wonder if she was still alive.

I hated my mom’s drug addiction, but later, I found myself headed in the same direction with alcohol. When I got drunk, I thought it was magic.

One day, I was approached by a quiet young woman and invited to a prayer meeting. I had tried to read and understand my Bible before, but the words were empty.

The night of the prayer group arrived, and as a college student spoke about asking Jesus to come into your life, my desire to know the Lord became overwhelming. I looked in my Bible, and I was amazed!

Although I did not entirely understand this brand-new way of living, I knew the despair and confusion that had reigned in my life were gone, and a new road was before me.

I thank God for His blessings. His grace remains real in my heart today.

Ever since I can remember, life has been a struggle for me. Everything in my life was negative, including the image I had of God.

I didn’t understand why I felt so unloved and unworthy to be loved. I had received Christ as my Savior when I was 14, but no matter how hard I tried, all my efforts were met with condemnation and ridicule.

It wasn’t until I was 28 years old and struggling to find the courage to leave an abusive husband that I stepped into a counselor’s office and began my journey into freedom. The memories flooded my mind, and I wept bitterly as I told the counselor of my abusive marriage and the rape and molestation I had endured as a child.

Within six months I left my husband, taking with me our two sons. I was five months pregnant with our third child.

Years of self-help books couldn’t ease the deep pain and anger I felt because of the way the abuse had stripped me of my childhood and shaped me into the adult I had become. A friend put me in contact with a Christian counselor, and after a 10-year absence, I began attending church again.

God began healing the wounds I’d suffered as a child, and within a few years, I thought I was strong enough in the Lord to handle anything. But after 13 years of raising my boys alone, I unwittingly walked into another abusive relationship, which I remained involved in for 11 months.

What could have been the end of my Christian faith turned into one of the greatest faith-building journeys I have ever been on. Through that relationship, God allowed me to see my heart.

Everything I had believed in and held to be true about myself and God came crashing to the ground. What remained was my faith that God was there, that He was enough and that He was beginning to reshape me into His image.

Through more Christian counseling, my eyes were opened to see the anger, hatred and unforgiveness I had toward those who had harmed me. I learned that my unforgiveness created a barrier between God and myself and held me in bondage. It was then my life began to change.

When we allow the Spirit of God to bind our wounds and reveal His truth to us, the emotional trauma of the past begins to lose its grip. Then we can walk in the freedom Jesus Christ came to give us.

Once I began to find freedom from the past, I no longer considered myself an adult survivor of childhood sexual assault. I’m not just a survivor; I am an overcomer! Through the blood of Jesus Christ, I am overcoming the trauma of my childhood and walking in the freedom of the life I was born to live!

My mother and I had some pretty rough times while I was growing up. Looking just like her didn’t help. Everyone constantly compared us, from our clothing to the way we carried ourselves to our personalities. No wonder we clashed so much.

Years later, my husband and I found out we were pregnant with our first child. I prayed and prayed during the weeks leading up to the ultrasound that I would have a boy. My husband wanted a girl because, as he put it, there was “way too much testosterone in his family.”

My desire for a boy was deeply rooted in pain and anguish. We wagered with each other up to the day of the ultrasound.

As we walked into the lab, my hands were clammy. I was gazing at the black-and-white image on the monitor, and my eyes filled with tears at the sight of the beautiful angel God had given me the privilege of carrying.

My heart raced as the doctor stated, “You’re having a girl.” I really wasn’t surprised because as much as I wanted a boy, in the back of my mind I knew that we were having a girl.

As my husband hugged me with tears in his eyes, his smile was from ear to ear. I put on a facade that I was happy.

However, after getting dressed, immediately I found a place to be alone and secretively called my mother from my cell phone.

When she picked up the phone, I was crying uncontrollably. She managed to calm me down while trying not to panic, assuming something was wrong with the baby. When I said to her: “It’s a girl. We’re having a girl,” my mother began thanking God that the baby was OK.

My silence prompted her to ask what was wrong. I responded, “I prayed that I wouldn’t have a girl because I don’t want history to repeat itself and have the same relationship with my daughter that I had with you.”

After the words came out of my mouth, I realized how deeply they must have hurt my mother. But, to my surprise, she said: “You don’t have to worry about that. You will be a much better mother to your daughter than I ever was to you, because when you know better, you do better.”

Those words lifted the huge boulder that had been sitting on my chest for so many years. A major moment of healing had just taken place. The woman I knew growing up was no more.

Stepping into the role of grandmother had changed her immediately. Hearing her words to me changed what I knew my future would be with my daughter.

Ms. Ann (Sharon Ann Phillips), known to her granddaughters as “Ma,” is now an awesome role model to the generations that followed her. As a mother of two—Arija, 3 and Elàn, 2—I understand and admire her more and more.

My love for her has deepened beyond words. Though my parenting skills are different from hers, I have learned through her example what a wonderful thing a mother can be.

When I was a child, severe medical problems cropped up as a result of congenital issues. For three years, my parents and my doctors were hopelessly baffled as I endured horrendous pain.

While facing the taunts of a world that couldn’t understand what was happening, I tried to function as a normal child and keep up with school. Unfortunately, the education system wanted to put me in a special needs school. Others thought I was just trying to seek attention.

A month before my 16th birthday, I laid in bed one night in sheer agony. I weighed 68 pounds, and my skin was translucent and grey. Trying hard not to be heard by my family, I cried to God: “Please take me home with You. I don’t want to live any more. No one believes me or can help me. Just take me home!”

As I closed my eyes, ready to surrender, I heard a man’s voice say, “You’re going to be all right.”

That’s all I heard. Soon I fell asleep with an indescribable peace in my spirit. I knew one way or another I was going to be all right.

A week later, my condition worsened, and I was admitted to the hospital with the prognosis that I had only 24 hours to live. Due to the stress on my system, my kidneys were beginning to shut down.

But God is faithful. Not only did I survive beyond that 24 hours, I have lived more than 15 years since then. I am blessed with a wonderful husband, two kitties, family and friends.

When we feel hopeless and suffer unbearable pain, it is in these times that God speaks so clearly, assuring us that He is there and everything is all right. Although it may seem at times that Satan is orchestrating your demise, God has other plans. Believe me. I know!

Learning to trust God can seem impossible during the difficult times in our lives. I know because I have been there.

I have heard many stories of broken marriages being healed and restored by the power of God. My story is different. When my own marriage was in trouble, I hoped and prayed for reconciliation. But that never happened, and the marriage ended in divorce.

For a long time, I was in total despair. I carried feelings of guilt, shame and failure for not being able to save my marriage. Many times the hurt was almost unbearable. My sorrow seemed to drown out any encouraging words from family and friends.

Ultimately, I had to learn to trust God. He was my comfort, and He was waiting to heal me. At first it was extremely difficult for me to let go of my hurt and release it all to God. But in time I began to see healing taking place in many areas of my life.

As I saw my character changing, I began my journey to forgiveness. I learned that forgiveness is a process of moving toward freedom; it represents the love of God, which is total freedom. Of course, I had setbacks along the way, but I persevered through prayer and reading God’s Word.

People often say that time heals everything. I came to realize that God, not time, is the great healer.

It is not easy being divorced because of the stigma it carries, especially for women in the church. But God says that He will work all things out according to His design and purpose for our lives. Being divorced does not mean that life is over. In fact, it can mean just the opposite: a new beginning with God, and a fresh start at learning to trust Him completely.

God doesn’t give up on any of us. He loves divorced men and women. His command—whatever our marital status—is that we live a life of holiness with the help of the Holy Spirit. Our obedience to that command is reflected in our attitude, our character, and the way we live and treat others.

As I have learned to trust God, He has healed me and set me free to live the life He wants for me. Now I know the truth: I can be divorced, live holy and be free in Christ Jesus!

I’ve had to overcome a lot of adversity. I’ve had to walk through many valleys and climb many mountains.

I was a mother at the age of 16. I gave birth to my son, Dwight (a gift from God), on the last day of 11th grade. I was determined to return for my senior year, and I graduated from Winter Park High School near the top of my class.

That fall I enrolled at the local community college, and for 1-1/2 years, I worked two jobs, went to school and raised my son. Around that time I realized that I had a gift and passion for hairstyling. My Grandmother Ruth owned a salon and she inspired me. She became my mentor and encourager.

I enrolled in a hairstyling institute and graduated in 1983. Immediately, I began working, but my life was far from perfect. I had a very active social life that included smoking, drinking and drugs.

For 20 years I worked at Tony’s Hair Salon in Orlando, Florida. Then in 1993, I gave birth to my daughter, Brooke (my second gift from God).

In 1998, after my grandmother’s death, I received the greatest gift of all: salvation. That was the turning point of my life.

The Lord started me on a new journey. He led me to New Covenant Baptist Church in Orlando, where I began to develop a hunger for Christ, and I began to seek and realize God’s will for my life.

In 2001, with my pastor’s blessing, I enrolled in the Institute of Theology and Ministry Training, a fully accredited online Bible college. In June 2002 I received the certificate of Specialist in Missions and Evangelism with Honors.

While I continued to take Bible classes, I completed the Entrepreneurial Training Program offered by Central Florida’s Minority/Women Business Enterprise Alliance. In June 2003, I received my associate degree in biblical studies with honors. Two months later, God blessed me with the opening of my own salon, the New Day Hair Salon & Spa.

Along the way, God has also blessed me with three grandchildren and three godchildren—my angels!

I pray that as I continue to seek His will and follow His commands, all God’s blessing will overtake me. God has taken me from my pain to His peace. He has given me power through the Holy Spirit to fulfill His purpose. To God be the glory!

Six years ago, I stood holding my infant son, Nathaniel, trying to sort out what I was hearing. Our family doctor said that the plates in our son’s skull did not seem to be closing properly, and he needed to see a pediatric neurosurgeon.

I wondered: A pediatric neurosurgeon? Nathaniel’s only 4 months old. I’m just here for a checkup. Will they operate on his brain?

By the time my husband, Art, got home that day, I was remembering that God was in control. I believed we could pray and this situation could turn completely around. Art and I agreed that not only did we need to pray, but we also needed to have a prayer service at our house for Nathaniel.

The night before our friends and family came over for prayer, I was battling fear and worry. I felt the Lord leading me to seek Him alone. I went to my bedroom, shut the door and began to pray in the Spirit. Then I sensed the Lord leading me to the book of Judges.

Why Judges? I thought. Then I read, “No razor shall come upon his head” (Judg. 13:5, NKJV). Immediately I knew this was a personal word for me. I began laughing and crying. I was so amazed at how the Lord could give a word to me that was so real.

I told my husband about my experience, and he rejoiced with me, although he was somewhat cautious. We both battled worry and fear, but by the next day we were rejoicing with our friends and family as we fully received the word the Lord gave to us.

During the next few weeks, Nathaniel underwent several tests. These were reviewed by the best pediatric neurosurgeon in the region. As the doctor went over the results, I had tremendous peace. I only wished I could have shared it with others.

The doctor informed us that our son’s head was misshapen, and that he would need to wear a helmet for a while. She said this was common, and surgery was not necessary.

Today, Nathaniel is fine. His head is not perfectly round, but what little boy’s head is? Most of all, he already has a love for God and received Jesus as his Savior when he was 5.

When his kindergarten class studied careers and drew pictures of what they wanted to be when they grew up, Nathaniel drew a picture of a pastor. Perhaps this is another word from God. I’m so glad the Lord protected our son, and gave us comfort and peace through His Word during a very difficult time.