by Anne Utterback | Blogging, God's Whisper, Life, Marriage
How I journeyed to a healed heart through forgiveness.
I have gone through 3 years of a separation and am now divorced. With this comes hurt, a lot of hurt. I didn’t realize how much hurt and pain I had been carrying.
While on a monthly Zoom call with hundreds of people discussing health, wealth, and relationships. I raised my hand and got picked for a hot seat. This is where my mentor drills down on what is holding us back. As he was giving me business counsel, I blurted out, “I need to forgive my husband.”
He paused. Looked at me. We were not talking about my relationships, just business. He was like, “wow’. God was doing something in my heart. My mentor told me to turn off my camera and write out a forgiveness letter to my husband.
That is exactly what I did. It was a little longer than expected but oh so healing. I let it all out. Every stupid little grievance to the the big ones where you say, “I can’t believe that happened.” It all came out on pages and pages of paper, front and back. For those of you who know, think about the Ross and Rachel situation. Only I threw mine away.
A couple days ago was our monthly Zoom call again. As my mentor was talking, I began to reflect on a month ago. Wow. I hadn’t put any thought to the forgiveness exercise. However, God wasn’t done yet. After the call was over, I took my dog, Winnie, for a walk.
God showed me a beautiful picture of the forgiveness that I experienced.
As I was walking, God told me as I journey down memory lane (we were married for 25 years) and reflect on our marriage, don’t pick up the hurt, pain, and bitterness that you let go of. He gave me a picture of a backpack that I had been carrying around.
It was filled with all these little and big stones of hurt, but once I forgave, I dropped the backpack. The stones rolled out which can become stumbling blocks in my path. No. Pick them up and move out of the way. They no longer have a hold on me.
I can confidently walk down memory lane with freedom. Forgiveness gives you freedom. Forgiveness gives you a healed heart. I have a healed heart. No more pain. No more hurt. No more bitterness. Freedom. The kind of freedom where your shoulders drop, close your eyes and breath easy.
Peace floods. Joy abounds.
The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. Psalm 118:24
Who do you need to forgive? Don’t overlook yourself. Sometimes our biggest hurdles are not forgiving ourselves. If you need to walk through forgiveness, book a call with me. I would be honored to guide you to the peace and joy that is waiting for you on the other side of forgiveness.
Book a call.
by Anne Utterback | Blogging, God's Whisper, Life
The Beginning of Thinking on Track
How I got my thinking on track. I began writing bible studies and some journaling, then jumped into blogs. Years later I felt the nudge to write a book. I began by looking at all my previous studies, entries and blogs. The process was tedious. It slowly began to take shape. Then another shape. And another. As I was continuing on the battle, I began to write out a particular train of thought. The Crazy Train. Frustration set in. Once again my book was going in another direction.
I stopped. Frustrated. And crawled in bed.
The voice of God (not audible) – get up, I just gave you your book.
I obeyed. I wrote for hours and outlined all my trains of thought. The birth of my first book: Retrain Your Brain, Make God the Conductor of your Train of Thoughts.
The Middle
It took less than a year from that moment to have the book self-published on Amazon. That was September 2021. Fast forward to August 2022, my husband moved out. I was away and came home to his stuff gone. It was a shock. I tried to process all the emotions. What exactly was I going to do?
Fortunately I had wrote a book about thinking and how not to derail regardless of life circumstances. God had prepared me for this moment of complete disbelief. I leaned into God and began navigating a separation.
The End (not the official end)
It is now June 2025, still separated. I also published my second book – Separated Not Divorced, My Husband Moved Out, Now What? in September 2023.
I reflect back on that first book. It was instrumental in getting through that last 3 years. Learning to get my thinking back on track kept me from spiraling into depression or landing at the bottom of a bottle. It guided me to peace. A peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7)
God will use all things for His Glory. What life experiences can you see that God has used? How has He carried you through the fire? Maybe you are in the throws of chaos and need guidance to navigate your way.
You can email me or find me on Facebook or Instagram.
Let’s connect and get your thinking on track!
Do not try to white knuckle it. You are not alone!
by Anne Utterback | Blogging, God's Whisper, Life
3 clear statements that God said to me to start the year: You are dearly loved, Stop hiding, and You’re going to be alright. These were very profound and I desperately needed to hear them. Why? Well I published my first book Retrain Your Brain: Make God the Conductor of Your Train of Thoughts in September 2021 (book). I began writing another book and was about 75% done with the rough draft. Then in August 2022 my husband of 22 years moved out. This was a huge surprise.
Get my thinking on the right track
I began questioning everything: what had I missed, were we going to reconcile or divorce, what about the kids, I have no business writing, etc. My emotions were all over the place. I needed some peace. I know the only true place to get peace is from God. So many times I would be thinking all the crazy thoughts and would see my book on the shelf. I knew that I needed to get my thinking back on track.
Therefore, I picked up my book and reminded myself of all the lessons God had given me. In turn, I was able to open my heart to listen. God was preparing me to hear these 3 clear statements. However the focus of this post is the beginning of the second one: Stop hiding. This is how I first began to strip away the veil I had been hiding behind.
I believe that one of the reasons God had me write this book was to help others. In the process it also allowed healing from years of wrong and negative thinking. However I had no idea that it would also be for future me. Working at a church we begin each year with a week of prayer and fasting. It was going to be a tough and emotional week. Several friends began praying for me. Most people did not know about the separation. So I was quietly struggling during the work week. My heart needed to hear from God but I was afraid of what I might hear.
Opening my heart to what God wanted to say
Every afternoon we have an open mic where you can share what God is telling you. However, I was avoiding it like the plague. Then on Wednesday we have an open chair prayer session. During this time there are empty chairs placed around the auditorium and you sit in the chair and ask for prayer. People will gather around and pray for you. Again, no way was I getting in that chair. I told one of my very good friends this. She simply looked at me and said, “I don’t want to sit in the chair either but I am going to out of obedience to God.”
Yep, the words that I needed to hear. I sat in the chair and asked the people around me to pray for my marriage as my husband had moved out. After the prayer session we had a discussion of lament, then were tasked with extending the lament on our own for the afternoon. Instead of sharing in the afternoon we would start the morning with open mic. I went home and continued the lament exercise, praying and asking God if he wanted me to share and what would that be. The following lament is from my journal:
The lament
Jan 11, 2023
God what do you want me to share?
I’m tired and weary. Most of you know that my dad has cancer. I drove the boys to Colorado over the New Year to say their “good-byes”.
What most of you don’t know is that Scott, my husband, moved out in August. The past few months have been a struggle. I was not sure what this week would bring – lots of tears – that I knew. But I want to thank the few of you who have been praying for me. I get out of bed and put clothes on, walk out the door because of your prayers – and of course by the grace of God.
I know I have not always been at my best and my joy has faded. But through this week God gave me 3 simple sentences: You are dearly loved, Stop hiding, and You’re going to be alright.
I’m letting go of the guilt and shame that I have been carrying. I will stop hiding. So I ask for prayer – prayer for me, my husband, my boys, and my marriage, our family. God can do anything. And the more prayers the better. I know regardless of the outcome that I am dearly loved and going to be alright. Plus I’m going to go jump in the pool. I have learned through the losses of family and friends that life feels shorter and shorter. God delights in us delighting in Him and His creation.
Stepping into his calling of stop hiding
Thursday morning I walked up to the mic, journal in hand. I never read the words again after I wrote them. There would be no way that I would be obedient to what God wanted me to say. It would be a different version of what I felt comfortable saying. I began speaking with a little shake in my voice as I was holding back tears. I did not read the journal but I know that God spoke through me that day.
Many people approached me afterwards. Some said they would be praying, others thanked me for sharing and being vulnerable, and some had no idea that this had happened. The best affirmation was when a friend told me that there were a couple of people in the room that were going through a similar situation. They needed to hear that they were not alone. There was no shame in separation.
I began to write a new book. A book on what it is like to go through a separation – what is working and isn’t working. I am bringing a voice to a quiet occurrence that is happening more and more. I pray that more marriages can be restored. And in turn, the divorce rate goes down. God values marriage. And we should too. Sometimes we need to separate to see more clearly. We are on month 7. I still don’t like it. I still struggle. But I am not done fighting for my family.
God gave me 3 clear statements to start the year: You are dearly loved, Stop hiding, and You’re going to be alright. I know that I am loved and will be alright. Therefore, this gives me the courage to stop hiding, share with others, and bring voice where others are afraid to speak.
by Anne Utterback | Blogging, Life
Today we are living in uncertain times which can and has created worry. Who could have predicted that we would be practicing social distancing? I don’t think that term was even used in our common language, now it’s a daily reminder.
Spring break plans changed for many. Employment has changed. Schooling does not look the same. So, many plans have been altered. We have found ourselves at home with the world changing by the minute. That is when the worry can set in. So, let’s combat the worry together.
Worry defined by Webster is strangle or choke. So when one worries, they are essentially choking or strangling themselves. This is not a good thing. There are much better things we can do with our time. What is the opposite of worry? That is what we are going to focus on.
Joy – Experience delight
Now don’t worry about a thing, my daughter. I will do what is necessary, for everyone in town knows you are a virtuous woman. Ruth 3:11
Return to joy! Do not worry for everyone knows you are righteous. Keep leaning into God’s word and keeping his commands. Allow him to continue to work on your heart and stay virtuous.
Certainty – Being settled
“Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!” 1 Samuel 17:32
David knew that the Lord was with him. He walked in certainty that God would go before him and win the fight. Keep your eyes on God. Lay down your worries before him. He will fight for you.
Comfort – Cheer
Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. Proverbs 12:25
There are many people struggling and many who do not have comfort of God in their lives. Be the encouraging word in the lives of others. If your eyes get an inward focus then we will miss seeing the opportunities God has laid out for us. The opportunities to be a blessing and encouragement to others.
Reassurance – Eliminate worry
But you are obsessed with whether the godless will be judged. Don’t worry, judgment and justice will be upheld. Job 36:17
There is no need to worry for God is in control. He is not surprised by the current state of isolation. He is not surprised by the pandemic caused by COVID-19. The judge is still on the throne.
Contentment – Showing satisfaction
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Matthew 6:25
The shelves are bare in the stores, but he will provide. He cares more about you than the sparrows and the flowers of the field. He is watching and providing your needs.
Peace – Harmony
Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Matthew 6:27
Worrying adds nothing positive to your life. This is from WebMD: Chronic worrying can affect your daily life so much that it may interfere with your appetite, lifestyle habits, relationships, sleep, and job performance. Many people who worry excessively are so anxiety-ridden that they seek relief in harmful lifestyle habits such as overeating, cigarette smoking, or using alcohol and drugs. Let’s instead enjoy the peace from God that surpasses all understanding. Keep your focus on him.
Confidence – Faith that one will act rightly
Every day the news is changing, more confirmed cases and rules enforcing isolation. Have the confidence knowing that it will end. People are surviving and getting healthy. The more we stay home, the quicker we will be back together, face-to-face.
Trust – Hope
Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. Mark 13:11
We have the hope of the Holy Spirit. Lay down your anxieties and allow the Holy Spirit to dwell within. He will speak on your behalf. He loves you and wants the best for you.
Remember, God loves you. He is not surprised by your circumstances nor the world pandemic. Do not spend your day worrying. When a worry presents itself, meditate on one of the verses listed. Paste them in the house, the car or at work. Keep your eyes on God. The worry will dissipate and be prepared for the opportunities God will lay before to bless others.
by Anne Utterback | Blogging, God's Whisper, Life
Gaining courage to be brave and get out of the whale …
God whispered – write. He was calling me to a new venture. Therefore, I tried on numerous occasions to start a blog. I am not a blog follower, so not really sure what I was doing. I also have a tendency to compare and would spend hours, days and months researching and then never start because it would never be good enough. But this time I have found the courage to be brave and write.
I have been compared to Jonah, since I have a tendency to run from God’s calling. Jonah sat in the whale for three days because he ran from God’s instruction. I have felt God tell me over and over to write. But I have chosen on numerous occasions to run and in turn sit in the whale. Here are some negatives from sitting in a whale 1) it is very lonely, therefore I spiral into bizarre scenarios in my mind, 2) I begin to stink. No one wants to get real close to a smelly person, 3) I am not obeying God and therefore, stop growing spiritually.
It is very lonely, therefore I spiral into bizarre scenarios in my mind
Sitting alone and brain chaos begins. Do you ever create imaginary fantasy conversations in your head? I am really good at this. Sometimes so good that I wonder if I could write a fiction novel. But then I get distracted, and begin going down another rabbit trail of bizarre scenarios. It’s like my head is a jungle and there is a monkey jumping from tree to tree. The trees represent all the randomness of life. This is not a healthy space.
I begin to stink. No one wants to get real close to a smelly person
Imagine sitting in a whale for three days. Uggghhh the smell. Pungent from the 16th century means “very painful or distressing”. This is how I imagine myself smelling. It’s like Pepe Le Pew from Looney Tunes. Nobody wanted to hang out near him. The green wave of stench followed him and preceded him. That’s powerful. God is wanting me to attract people fro His glory, not repulse them.
I am not obeying God and therefore, stop growing spiritually
When I step away from what God is calling me to do, I tend to avoid reading the bible. Growing spiritually is difficult when I am void of His word. All of these things – creating bizarre scenarios, being smelly and not obeying – are all trials.
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4
I choose to obey His calling. If I sit in a whale and sulk like a child, I will remain the same. And as time goes by, I realize that sitting in a whale is hard and uncomfortable and I desperately want a change. So I find courage to be brave and get out of the whale.
by Anne Utterback | God's Whisper, Leadership, Life
Once again I find myself being a student. My job is changing. I have had many jobs in life. I wouldn’t call any of them a career. They have all felt like jobs. I think because I never felt like, this is it. This is what I am going to do the rest of my life.
I was having some frustration trying to navigate working closely with new people. I was leaving the building and walking to my car. The thoughts that entered my head – ‘I can’t do this. This is not the task for me. I can’t make this work. God, why have you put me here?’ I needed to learn something new, to grow my abilities and to just be better. To do this, I need to be a good student.
Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous and they will learn even more. Proverbs 9:9
It says to be wiser and learn more. Regardless of how wise or righteous we think we are, we can become wiser and learn more. I have lots to learn. I mean a lot. There are times I need to take a step back and humble myself to listen. Open my ears to hear what others are trying to teach me. Now is one of these times.
Being willing to listen…
Listening can be difficult. There are times when we want our voice to be heard. In today’s culture silence has truly become golden. There are voices constantly shouting. Trying to decipher through all the opinions and thoughts can get overwhelming. But listening does not equate to agreement. One must be silent in order to listen.
Being willing to change…
I enjoy change. I move my furniture, change my bedroom location and create new reading spaces. Change causes some people anxiety. There are many reasons for this. I googled ‘change and anxiety’ and got 243,000,000 results. So yes, people are struggling with change. I think people also add to the struggle because they get complacent. God is calling us to be more like Him. When we refuse, we cannot become the new creation He desires.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17
Being willing to do the work…
I went to my job the next day with a better attitude, a skip in my step and excited. I was learning and ready to become a new student, a good student.
Whatever work you do, do it with all your heart. Do it for the Lord and not for men. Colossians 3:23
The verse says to work with all your heart for the Lord and not for people. When I took my focus off pleasing the masses, the work was joyful. I was truly learning.
What has God asked you to learn that is new or maybe scares you? Are you being challenged to be a student? Be encouraged, He will walk alongside you. He doesn’t call you unless He wants you there.
