Outgrowing the Shackles

A fresh look at God's process of healing, through testimony and teaching

Emotional healing is often a process. God, in His infinite love and wisdom, addresses issues in our hearts in His own timing and not necessarily in the order we might choose. The freedom He brings us is not usually and instantaneous event, but a result of our growth and maturing as we allow Him to gentle touch every area of our lives.

Helen Pollard survived a traumatic childhood through Jesus' miraculous healing, alongside help from secular therapies and varied prayer ministries. In this book she uses her own story to guide us into principles that we can apply to our own lives - to outgrow the shackles. Helen's blunt realism is disarming, whilst her profound wisdom and insight into healing and forgiveness are a challenge to every believer.

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Helen, 65, survived a traumatic childhood through Jesus' miraculous healing and help from secular therapies and varied prayer ministries. The only one of nine to complete an arduous five-and-a-half-year course leading to an honours degree in Sociology / Social Admin and qualifications as a State Registered Nurse and a Certificated Health Visitor, she was keenly interested in mental health. As a health visitor she helped people in emotional need; as a nurse of children, and babies in intensive care, she particularly supported her patients' families.

Helen married Steve in 1979. Sadly, their first son, Joe, died after thirty minutes. Their other three are thriving Christians, married, and have produced six delightful grandchildren. After struggling with several cancers and other illnesses, Helen responded to God's call to become a counsellor. She is trained in psychotherapy, holds a Diploma in Life Business and Executive Coaching and a further degree in Eclectic Counselling. She has practised for over thirty years in both secular counselling and coaching, and in prayer ministry.

In 2010 God led Helen and Steve to combine their prayer ministry experience and therapeutic training in the ministry 'Bespoke Growth in God' which now serves churches, marriages and individuals nationwide. Written following requests from many clients, and another call from God, this book combines the story of Helen's childhood and early adulthood with insights and tools honed in that ministry. Helen's desire is to enable those in seemingly impossible circumstances to press into, and find hope in, God.

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"What a truly brilliant and beautiful book. It is both heart-rending and heart-filling. Somehow Helen has managed to write in a way that is very real about the pain and struggles whilst making it so uplifting, encouraging and inspiring. She leaves me wanting to praise God in every chapter. I love the twin threads of her autobiography interspersed with snapshots of life today. In talking so honestly of her ongoing struggles, she manages to weave in incredible nuggets of wisdom and teaching in such an engaging and helpful way. Just reading this book is to encounter her profound ministry wisdom and insights as well as to meet God's truth in fresh ways. This book will bring immense hope and understanding to so many. It gripped me from the beginning and leaves me gripped by the wonder of God's love and healing.

*If it was my choice, I'd dedicate this book to Grandpa - the hero who brought God's light in the midst of so much darkness. God's gentle gardener who protected his beloved Granddaughter and spared God's precious child as he lovingly carried her to Jesus in his life, teaching and actions." *

Rev James Grier
Leader of Unlimited Church
Diocesan Youth Church Adviser

*"This book is a riveting read – one that I believe will be an immense blessing, as well as an eye-opener, to many. *

*As Helen tells her story, she regularly pauses to express the difficulties that she feels in describing the events that unfold. It's sometimes hard for those who have not had the experience of abuse to realise that it is not something you can altogether leave behind – even after years of healing. In this way, Helen effectively conveys the ongoing pain of her abuse, whilst at the same time testifying to the reality of the healing that is possible. *

This book has raised a host of questions for me and given fascinating insights into Helen's experience. I am sure it will help a great many people."

Canon Rev. David MacInnes

*"This is a truly remarkable book. Helen has written with great insight and honesty the story of her extremely abusive childhood. Helen has been truthful about her feelings and her breakdowns whilst wisely avoiding any lurid details of sexual abuse. This has been cleverly combined with her present-day story of writing the book. Ultimately, however, this is the story of how Jesus' miraculous healing love leads to freedom.
A book of hope for any reader needing healing and transformation from previous abuse." *

**Dr Lin Button **
Founder of The Healing Prayer School