Hello, ladies. We met last month. I'm Nona Muss. Owning up to your failures isn't pleasant, but it's necessary. So, here I go...  

Once upon a time this newly wedded Cinder Ella moved into her castle not just with baggage, but with dragon-infested baggage and I openly confess I was responsible for my castle's vulnerability to attack.  

 I was molested when I was five years old. I mercifully no longer remember details, but I do remember being told that if I told anyone, everyone would know I was a bad girl. My family moved soon after and I was safe, but I never forgot something ugly happened to me and I was bad. I kept this shameful secret. It was unspeakable.

 Elementary school just may exist to sort the haves from the have-nots. My classmates quickly declared me a have-not. At home, when I twirled to show my father a new dress, he looked down at me and said what must have seemed necessary, "No one is ever going to date you." Bibbidy Bobbidy Boo! The spell was cast. That proclamation confirmed what I had suspected all along. I was as ugly on the outside as I was on the inside. My own father pronounced me unworthy and why would I ever share that secret? It was unspeakable.

 So, I grew up knowing that short of some serious FGM (fairy godmother mojo), my prospect for a prince-to-be wasn't bright, so I had better be--bright, that is. I found other ways to shine...good grades, good deeds, good humor. Then, one magical day years later, a charming prince came along and swept me off my feet and I dared to hope the curse was broken.  But, alas, the prince had a dark secret of his own and when revealed, I accepted without question it was my fault. Of course, this was just what someone like me deserved. I was all alone and could tell no one. No one ever imagined. This was the most unspeakable of all.   

Even on good days and there were many good days, my heart and my ministry were on a short leash, captive to the taunts of the dragon. Day after day I chose to believe only bad about myself and my unwillingness to open up to anyone crippled me. Deuteronomy 31:6 tells me, "Be strong and courageous; don't be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you." I lived my life cowering in the shadow of rejection and it wasn't helpful because a victim is a good target for contempt, and it wasn't necessary because God protects his own--if we only let him. Yes, I was victimized, but I didn't have to be a victim. 

Sisters, I wish I was alone in having dragon-infested baggage. But, too many of us have known abuse or had distant, critical parents who spoke a curse or simply withheld their blessing. Far too many of us love princes with flaws of their own. We have deeply buried, unspeakable hurts. And we have surrendered our voice.  

 I suited up to slay the dragon the day I finally sat before a Christian counselor who looked me in the eye and told me I was not crazy and the nightmare I was living was not what I deserved. This God-appointed professional spoke words from God's economy and for the very first time in my life, I began to believe and to declare, "I AM more." I am healing because a godly counselor gave me the courage to speak.   

 I have no idea what's in your past, but we all have one. Few women have never smelled dragon breath. If you haven't, then shout out a prayer of thankfulness because you are blessed. If you have and you have buried your hurts, know that I am speaking a prayer for you right now that you seek a wise, godly counselor of your own. (And if you have to pay good money to find one, it is money well spent!) More than enough enemies pound at the doors of our homes and ministries as it is. But, it's a terrible thing to allow the enemy to weaken your castle from the inside--I know. Don't suffer in silence. Suit up for battle and find your voice. Speak. Your castle's at stake.

I'm Nona Muss and I'll meet you in the forums to discuss the dragons that can and will weaken your castle from the inside.....