Day 20 Blog — Moving on! Breaking the Cycles of Abuse
Links to start your day:
🎵 Song of the Day: Moving On – Love & the Outcome
📖 40-Day A Live Fret Hope Journal on Amazon
🎶 40-Day Playlist on Apple Music
Dear Friends,
Today I am writing the Hope Journal Day 20 entry from the Collin County Home & Garden Show in Allen, Texas.Stronger Women has a booth here, and I’ve already spoken to more than 100 people about our mission. What a joy it is to share the good news: we are here, we are visible, and we are offering hope to those who need it most.
I’ll be honest: this morning my depression felt like quicksand. After working all week, I didn’t want to spend both weekend days at the home show. My hope was low earlier in the day. But the more I talked to people, the more my spirit lifted. Conversations turned into moments of connection. Smiles turned into reminders that hope is alive. By the end of the day, I felt re-energized and thankful.
2 Corinthians 4:16–18 says:
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Even when depression whispers that I can’t do it, God’s unseen hand guides me forward.
Breaking the Cycles of Abuse
Abuse repeats itself in cycles of tension, acting out, and apology. Today, I see clearly that I am no longer trapped in that cycle. I wrote in my journal:
“I am moving on. I won’t let unhealthy choices hold me down. I will overcome any obstacle that comes my way.”
Even when the weight of depression tries to pull me back, I know God’s second chances never end.
Hope Goals for Today
-
Goal: Identify the patterns of abuse that once held me.
-
Pathways: Practice setting boundaries and speaking up safely.
-
Next Step: Celebrate every conversation where hope is shared.
Reflection
Friend, hope can show up in unexpected places — even at a Home & Garden Show. Today reminded me that you never know who needs to hear that they are seen, heard, and understood. God sends us into the world not just to survive, but to shine. And sometimes, when we give hope away, it lifts us too.
5 Hope Tips for Breaking Cycles
-
Name the pattern — awareness is the first step to change.
-
Disrupt the script — choose a new, healthier response.
-
Set one boundary — even a small “no” breaks chains.
-
Speak truth over shame — remind yourself of God’s promises.
-
Celebrate progress — every step forward counts.
Today’s Hope Reminder:
“Even when depression feels like quicksand, hope is still solid ground.”
Victory Note:
Today I moved from despair to renewed strength. What began as a heavy morning ended in a day full of connection, purpose, and hope. God is faithful — and hope always rises.
Emergency Resources
-
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
-
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
-
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
With hope and appreciation,
Dr Brooke Jones
Founder Stronger Women