094 – Surviving Spiritual Abuse Without Losing Your Faith with Anna Vaughn

What do you do when the place that’s supposed to be safest, your church or ministry, becomes the source of your deepest wounds?

In this episode of Bold Faith Now, Missy talks with Anna Vaughn, author of Caught in the Crossfire, about spiritual abuse: what it is, how it shows up in churches and ministries, and how God gently leads us from victimhood into healing and freedom. Anna shares her own story of ministry burnout, panic attacks, and manipulation, and how the Lord met her through counseling, inner healing, and the hard work of forgiveness.

If you’ve been hurt by a leader, confused by church culture, or wondered if what you’re experiencing “counts” as spiritual abuse, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• What spiritual abuse is and how it often hides behind religious language, twisted scripture, and “doing ministry for God.”

• Red-flag warning signs: isolation, fear, manipulation, “we’re the only ones doing it right,” and being discouraged from asking honest questions or seeking outside help.

• Anna’s journey from victim to victor—how God used counseling, boundaries, and forgiveness to bring deep healing and restore her calling.

• Why forgiveness doesn’t mean pretending it didn’t happen or giving your abuser continued access.

Remember to live boldly for Jesus and let your light shine bright for Him!

Connect with Anna:

Website & ministry: stirredupministries.com
Book: Caught in the Crossfire (look for it wherever you normally buy books)

Connect with Missy:

Download the January Scripture Journaling prompts (Renewal theme) at https://missyeversole.com/resources/

For more encouragement and resources, visit MissyEversole.com and subscribe to the Bold Faith Now newsletter.

Website: Missy Eversole

Facebook: MissyEversoleAuthor

Instagram: missyeversole_author

Disclaimer: The views expressed by guests on the podcast may differ from my own Christian beliefs. While I aim for diverse discussions, I do not endorse my guests’ religious views. Listeners should approach content with an open mind, embracing diverse perspectives to foster dialogue and understanding.

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