About the Episode
In this episode of the Hope + Help Podcast, host Christine Chappell interviews counselor, speaker, and author Joy Forrest. They discuss Joy’s book, Called to Peace: A Survivor’s Guide to Finding Healing and Peace After Domestic Abuse to discover how the gospel of Jesus Christ offers the resources necessary to turn victims into victors. During the conversation, Joy shares her own testimony of overcoming abuse. She also explains why victims cannot change the behaviors of their abuser, how she overcame the guilt that resulted from watching her marriage fail, and the importance of rooting our identity in Christ when walking through domestic violence recovery.
About the Guest
Joy Forrest has been an advocate for victims of domestic violence since 1997, and is author of Called to Peace: A Survivor’s Guide to Finding Peace and Healing After Domestic Abuse and the Called to Peace Companion Workbook. She holds an M.A. in Biblical Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and held the position of Community Educator for Safe Space Domestic Violence Services in Louisburg, NC from 2000-2001. She has served as a biblical counselor in church settings and private practice since 2005.
Her own experiences as a former victim of domestic abuse, along with her involvement with Safe Space and church counseling, caused her to see a major need for churches to become better equipped to help families affected by DV. In January 2015, she helped establish Called to Peace to promote domestic violence awareness, particularly within the faith community. Joy is also a Certified Advocate with the NC Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
About the Book
Called to Peace: A Survivor’s Guide to Finding Freedom and Healing After Domestic Abuse
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.
About the Podcast
The Hope + Help Podcast offers interviews with seasoned biblical counseling professionals and ministry leaders on a variety of topics regarding life’s challenging problems. Hosted by IBCD Outreach Director Christine M. Chappell. Listeners can subscribe on major streaming platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud, & iHeart.
