Abuse Survivor Shannon M. Deitz Inspires Teens to See Their True Value Through God’s Eyes

DALLAS - May 2, 2013 - PRLog -- Dallas/Fort Worth—No one has more potential for building a solid sense of self-worth than those who see themselves as God sees them. Cultivated within the boundaries of biblical wisdom, self-esteem is a critical component of a happy, productive life.  Shannon Deitz, author, speaker and founder of Hopeful Hearts Ministry, understands more than most people the importance of a healthy self-esteem as well as the damaging effects of its loss.  Raped twice as a teenager, she experienced firsthand how abuse can ravage self-respect and dignity.  These days, Deitz is helping teens find spiritual and emotional wholeness, no matter what tragic circumstances of life may have tried to shatter it.

Abuse can do more damage to a teen’s self-esteem than any other contributing factor.  One in five teens involved in a serious relationship report some form of physical abuse, and one in four teenage girls say they were pressured by their partner to engage in sexual activities against their will.   But abuse is not the only destructive force that yields feelings of self-disgust, condemnation and worthlessness.  With perceptions of the ideal body image relentlessly perpetuated in the television and movie industries, along with the rapid deterioration of supportive family units, teens are feeling more inadequate, lonely and rejected than ever.

Online social media is also influencing the way teens evaluate themselves.  They often determine their worth by how many followers they have on Facebook and Twitter.  They worry about being tagged in ugly photos, feel bad if no one “likes’ their comments, and feel excluded from discussions or photos.  Some have even been driven to pose provocatively to garner more attention.

The epidemic of low self-esteem is taking a deadly toll in the teen population, manifesting in a variety of disturbing outcomes.  It has been linked to an increased risk of teenage pregnancy, depression, eating disorders, drug abuse, suicide, sexual promiscuity and more.  “My heart breaks for anyone involved in any of these destructive behaviors,” says Deitz.  “My prayer is that all teens, regardless of where they are, where they have been, or the source and depth of their pain, will come to realize their immense value both to God and to others.  Our personal identity must be deeply settled in his acceptance, his forgiveness and his unconditional love.   There is no better place to unearth our true significance than in him.”
With wisdom, compassion, and candor, Deitz shares her courageous journey back to healthy self-esteem with thousands of teens, young adults, and women at churches, conferences, schools, fund raisers and retreats.  She encourages others to enjoy Christ’s love while no longer basing self-worth on their past, their performance, or the opinions of others.  Deitz also communicates her message of hope with others through her popular blog (Just Show Up) and her award-winning book, “Exposed: Inexcusable Me, Irreplaceable Him,” where she exposes the devastating truths of enduring her own sexual and emotional abuse.  Her recently launched Hopeful Hearts Ministry, an advocacy non-profit organization, encourages survivors to reach their full potential. Deitz has initiated a survivor campaign with the Hopeful Hearts charm, when you purchase a charm you also make it possible to give one to a survivor of abuse.

“Even though we’ve all been blemished and broken by sin—sometimes ours, sometimes another’s—it is possible to regain our self-esteem through the restoration and regeneration of the Holy Spirit,” adds Deitz.

For more information about Shannon Deitz and Hopeful Heart Ministry, please visit www.shannonmdeitz.com