Groomed: Overcoming the Messages That Shaped Our Past and Limit Our Future

Someone in your past sold you a false story about who you are and what you?re worth. It has been holding you back for too long. Take control of your future. A staggering one out of three women in America was a victim of sexual abuse at some point in her childhood. No matter how many years it?s been, if that?s your story, those scars are probably still with you. But even if that?s not part of your story, this book is for you. Women today have been groomed for a lot more than just sex.Using her own story of abuse, family tragedy, and rebellion, Elizabeth Melendez Fisher guides readers toward an understanding that grooming is oftentimes subtle, but it?s always life-altering. In Groomed Fisher incorporates the language and lessons gained over the past decade working with sex trafficking victims and her work in ministry and counseling before that. She draws out five specific ways that women have been groomed, from physical appearance to spirituality to finances, and shows how those manipulative messages have affected the way we see our worth and how they?ve oftentimes stifled and limited us. From there Fisher offers readers a way to overcome their past, starting with the all-important but rarely explored idea of a selah, or a time of rest and reflection, and exploring active ways to forgive and move forward to a new level of freedom.No one has to be defined by her past. No one has to live for her groomers. It?s time to take a look back at where we came from to escape the messages of our past and take control of our future.Review'In Groomed Elizabeth shares a raw, heart-wrenching story, digging deeply to save others--a vital education, a sad tale, and a miracle of truth. Stopping sex trafficking and helping young women thrive is only possible through the education this book provides. And, ultimately, the sad realization that it could have been any of us!' --Dina Bair Maher, WGN-TV, Chicago, anchor/reporter'Elizabeth Melendez Fisher Good shines a bright light on practical steps anyone can implement to dispel the darkness from which they have become enslaved. The first step, Good says, is to make a conscious decision to identify the grooming. She then leads the way to break free from the story that has been penned. Freedom is a journey, not an event, and it begins with selah.' --Tamela J. Young, MACM, One Heart One Hope coach; Heart2Heart Sisterhood founder/director'In a world where women tend to define their worth by their appearance, often feel invisible, and frequently make decisions out of fear, the message of Groomed is desperately needed. Through her story, Elizabeth exposes the lies that groomed these destructive mind-sets in us and guides us to the truth of our true beauty, strength, and power. This book will change how you see yourself and other women, as Elizabeth shares solution-oriented insights with an authentic voice and great wisdom. She will inspire and equip you to live a life of purpose, satisfaction, and joy.' --Katherine Lee, Pure Hope Foundation founder and author, Interrupted'I'm incredibly moved by how God has used Elizabeth's story. The parts Satan meant to use to destroy her, God has used for good. Elizabeth is a warrior and champion giving a voice to the voiceless. Groomed is yet another way of helping those who can't or don't know how to help themselves. I am of the firm belief that everyone who reads this book will benefit in some way!' --Cindy Pentecost, author, I Get to Prepare My Heart: A Christmas Devotional'Groomed provides both women and men with insights and observations to help them increase their self-knowledge. With that knowledge their eyes can be opened to the influences that have shaped their lives for good and for ill. With that knowledge choices can be made to restore their lives and strengthen relationships as they were meant to be.' --Quin Frazer, Drinker Biddle and amp; Reath LLP partner'Groomed is an incredible, brave, and gorgeous book. It exposes