Finding Strength in God: Overcoming Domestic Violence & Abuse (Samantha Groce)
- throughtheseasonse
- Sep 30
- 5 min read
Domestic violence can sometimes be a taboo topic to talk about. However, I know first hand that it can be a painful reality for many. My testimony is one that I am personally still working with God on; however, I want to offer some hope for anybody in a cycle of feeling trapped, alone, or afraid. Wherever you are in this season, trust me when I say there is a way out, and there is healing through God's love, grace, and mercy!
I have been verbally and physically abused by 3 different men in my life. One was my friend's brother and two were men I was in relationships with. I went through everything with the first two men during my freshman year of college and the last one shortly after. If there was one thing I could change about my story, it would be speaking up sooner and not carrying all of the heartache by myself for over a year! At a young age I remember having such low self esteem, I was convinced for a long time that I had to take what I could get because who else would love me? However, keeping everything to myself made me feel the loneliest I had ever felt. I was confident that God had left me because I chose the wrong path. In my current season, I am learning more and more that I couldn’t have been more wrong! God saw my pain, God was with me the whole time. He was waiting on me to lean on him. We serve a God who so badly wants us to love him and lean on him and is so patient with us while we figure it all out and has given us the tools to do so! As I walk in a season of healing I take myself back to when I felt so alone and continue to ask and watch God show me where he was in my fog of brokenness. The Holy Spirit has put it so heavy on my heart to tell others through my own testimony that God sees your pain and God is with you!
Psalm 34:18 says "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Feeling alone is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone! If there was one thing I could tell myself then, it is that I am worthy of love and safety. If I had believed in that at the time, I would have had more strength to get help sooner. People who go through domestic violence often find themselves stuck. We tell ourselves and often are even told by that person, that we are not worthy and that we are the problem. For some reason, those lies are so much easier to believe than the truth. However, Romans 5:8 says “But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” You Are Worthy of Love and Safety! No matter what season of life you are in, whether you can relate to this blog or not, you are worthy and God has a plan for your life! God is working with you on your testimony.
Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord,
‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’"
If you find yourself in a similar situation, first I want to say I am so sorry you are sharing a similar heartache and secondly you are not alone in this season! Most importantly, I want you to know that there is a way out and there is help out there! Please seek help and support! Contact and confide in a trusted family member, friend, pastor, or counselor. Reach out to a domestic violence hotline and or shelter. I will list national hotlines as well as online resources at the end of this that just about anyone can utilize for help! Next, create a safety plan alongside your trusted family member, friend, pastor, or counselor! Life in general takes a village. This is one season that you need to rebuild your village with people who will strive to help bring you out of this and closer to God so you can start your healing season!
Proverbs 11:14 - "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety."
In my current season of healing, I am learning that I need to give myself as much grace as God has always given me my whole life. As I said in the beginning, there is so much I wish I could change; however, if anything were to have changed, I would not be able to tell my testimony and potentially touch the life of at least one person. I also believe that if I had not gone through what I had, I could not appreciate the husband God has given me now. A husband who has patience with me when I have anxiety due to my past. A husband who doesn’t get mad at me because of how I look when we leave the house but instead, gets on my tail when I start to doubt myself. He has become a safe place I only remember having with my own mom and dad when I was younger. I thank God for him every day. I say all of that to urge you to keep going. God has so much more in store for you. Your story is not over. It has only begun. The healing process takes time, but God is going to restore you!
Isaiah 41:10 - "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
If anybody knows of someone who needs resources please send this to them, and if you find yourself in an abusive situation, I strongly and wholeheartedly want you to know that you are loved, you are not alone, and there is a way to move forward with your life. Your first step is to trust God. Your second step is to seek help to take steps toward safety and healing. He is with you every step of the way! Lean on his grace and mercy to gain hope for a new beginning!
Resources
**If you are in immediate danger please call 911 first and foremost! There are other local supports in many areas as well, these resources are only the beginning!**
Hotlines & Crisis Support
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800.799.SAFE(7233) or www.thehotline.org
Available 24/7 for confidential support, crisis intervention, and safety planning. Live chat and text options are available.
Love Is Respect: 866.331.9474 or text “LOVEIS” to 22522 or www.loveisrespect.org
For teens and young adults. Focuses on dating abuse and healthy relationships for young people.
RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network): 800.656.HOPE(4673) or www.rainn.org
Provides support for survivors of sexual violence, including domestic and intimate partner sexual abuse.
Shelters & Housing Assistance
A searchable database of shelters and services across the U.S.
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: www.ncadv.org
Offers resources for survivors, advocacy, and educational materials.
Legal & Financial Support
Provides state-specific legal information on restraining orders, custody, and legal protections.
National Network to End Domestic Violence: www.nnedv.org
Offers resources related to technology safety, financial empowerment, and policy advocacy.
A little bit about Sam...
Hello, my name is Sam Groce! I am 28 years young and married to my best friend Dalton! We have two fur baby dogs and a hairless guinea pig! I have a passion for serving people and helping out in any capacity I possibly can! I have been through many hard trials in my life and I know God is leading me through a season of healing as well as in a direction of sharing my story to let myself and other people know we are not alone, we are loved, and God is with us all the time!
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