Called to Peace

A Survivor's Guide to Finding Peace and Healing After Domestic Abuse

By: Joy Forrest

Narrated by: Lynne Aubrecht Beaman

What do you do when you don’t believe in divorce, but find yourself in a toxic, or even dangerous, marriage? This is an agonizing struggle for many women; it certainly was for Joy Forrest, founder of Called to Peace Ministries.

Joy prayed, sought counseling, and read every book she could find on the subject, but the intimidation she endured from her husband continued to escalate, until fleeing the danger became her only option. Even then, she found herself overwhelmed by guilt and shame. As a devout believer, Joy immersed herself in prayer and bible study and, over time, began to see God’s heart for the oppressed and realized the erroneous beliefs that had kept her in bondage.

Called to Peace is one part memoir and one part guidebook. Joy’s story and insight will help you to recognize the signs of an abusive relationship, as well as provide you spiritual truths to combat guilt and promote healing after abuse. Whether you are in an abusive relationship yourself, or desire to help someone else who is suffering from domestic abuse, this book offers hope, inspiration, and biblical guidance.

©2018 Blue Ink Press, LLC (P)2021 Blue Ink Press, LLC

Impactful

I was recommended this book by a counselor. I discovered new concepts and aspects of domestic violence. The patterns she lays out with specific stories and Bible verses to combat the inner thought process was very impactful. Thank you God and thank younJoyce, you have blessed another life.

Not just the horrors of abuse in this story, but help for victims to overcome their own traumas.

This book was equally riveting and horrifying. What this woman went through is difficult to believe. Yet, I’m glad she shared it because it shines a light on how abusers twist reality to where victims think that these behaviors are somehow under the umbrella of love, and that the façade of a happy marriage is more important than their own safety and life.

In addition to this terrifying true story is the redemption that can only come from Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit. I greatly appreciate how the author not just tells how she healed and eventually forgave, but how other victims of abuse can completely heal as well. These are critical steps in never falling prey to abuse again.

Additionally, she includes the power and control wheel in the first appendix. It is critical to identifying abusive behavior patterns right from the beginning. I’ll be sharing that with pretty much everyone because abuse loses its power once identified.

For a bit, I was bothered by the narrator’s lack of emotion. Then it dawned on me that that may very well have been intentional to help create emotional distance, and possibly protect the reader from triggers.

I wish to thank the author for writing this powerful autobiography. I wish to thank the narrator for reading what must have been difficult to narrate.

Excellent book for abuse victims

Thank you for your God centered, scripture driven book. Thank you for reminding me of Gods truth and refuting the lies I have believed.

So helpful as a male counselor

Lately, I’ve taken a deep dive into the subject of domestic violence to help me understand better the females perspective. I found Joy’s book very enlightening and helpful. I am very motivated to do a much better job for my sisters in Christ. Thank you so much for your book Joy.