Forgiveness doesn't always mean reconciliation. Healing doesn't always mean returning to the relationship that hurt you. And surrender doesn't mean giving up your boundaries.

For anyone carrying childhood wounds, questions about forgiveness, family, faith, and healing can become deeply intertwined. How do you forgive someone who hurt you? Can you experience peace without reconciling? And what happens when trauma has affected your identity, relationships, emotions, and ability to trust?

In this episode of Room to Bloom, Julie Rebboah speaks with author, writer, and trauma-informed coach Hadassah Treu about her journey through childhood trauma, fear, emotional suppression, depression, suicidal thoughts, faith, forgiveness, and healing.

Hadassah shares how a desperate prayer for God to reveal Himself became a turning point in her life and how discovering God's unconditional love changed the way she understood herself, her past, and her relationship with Him.

Julie and Hadassah also unpack the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation and why Christians don't have to pursue peace at any cost.

• Childhood trauma can influence identity, emotional health, relationships, and self-worth long after childhood.
• Healing is possible, even when it happens slowly and in layers.
• Forgiveness and reconciliation are not the same—and reconciliation isn't always possible or healthy.
• We can pursue forgiveness without ignoring boundaries or returning to unsafe relationships.
• God can be experienced as gentle, trustworthy, loving, and non-controlling.
• Surrender is a daily practice of trusting God that can create space for greater peace.

00:00 — Introduction to Hadassah Treu

00:23 — Her story and work as an author and trauma-informed coach

03:00 — Childhood trauma, fear, and violence

04:50 — Identity loss, emotional suppression, and depression

06:10 — Suicidal thoughts and searching for purpose

07:25 — Praying for God to reveal Himself

08:20 — Hearing the gospel for the first time

09:05 — Accepting Jesus

10:00 — Why healing is possible after deep trauma

11:05 — Forgiveness and healing her relationship with her father

15:35 — Forgiveness vs. reconciliation

17:05 — When reconciliation isn't possible or healthy

18:40 — Why Christians don't have to pursue peace at any cost

20:40 — Experiencing God's unconditional love

22:35 — Surrender as a daily practice of trust

Website: On the Way BG

Books: Hadassah Treu on Amazon

Community: Join Hadassah's Community

Join Julie on September 19, 2026, from 10 AM–2 PM PT for the Flourish in Hope Women's Virtual Reset & Retreat, with an optional VIP experience from 2:15–3 PM PT.

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only and is not a replacement for medical, mental health, or other professional care.

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