I spent years trying to conceal the shameful things that had happened in my life, and in the lives of some of my family members; things that I didn't want anyone to find out about, if they didn't already know. I was bound to secrecy because of my guilt. Satan had me in his clutches and I didn't even know it. I forced a smile to hide the suffering and shame that I did not want to be publicly exposed. I was stressed to the point of despair, almost losing my mind. Silence forced me to suffer alone. When God came to my rescue, He completely healed and freed me to expose the strongholds by which the devil had me secretly bound. I am witnessing by my writing to the truth of freedom that God brings through His promises of redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ. (John 8:36)