Fight Forward - by Brenda Crouch (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

I'm not good enough. It's my fault. I am alone. I am worthless. The voices and lies you give power to shape who you are and attempt to hijack your identity, twisting your perspective on God, family, career, church, and other relationships. Whose voice are you listening to?

You are a champion by God's design. In Fight Forward, Brenda Crouch bravely shares her story of overcoming the abuse she suffered as a child and an adult. She offers practical solutions that will help you:

• Find courage to dismantle the façade and embrace your true identity.
• Break the cycle of a victim mindset and trust the power of God to set you free.
• Discover the strength to say no to users and learn to recognize authentic love.
• Ditch self-ambition and explore the wealth of your divine purpose.
• Find your voice and help others heal.

Be propelled into favor and fulfillment as you listen to God's voice. He wants you to know the relevance of your authentic value and the unique purpose for which you were born.

Review Quotes

Foreword:

The journey to becoming fully human in Christ is a lifelong one. The process is ongoing and continues until we receive our glorified bodies in the consummation of the kingdom. Until then, we are not fully there, not fully human, and not fully persons. That doesn't mean we aren't human beings; it just means we aren't fully human beings, and we aren't fully persons because we are still "on our way."

Our personhood is rooted in our creation in the image and likeness of God. Adam was created to exist for God and for others, and when Adam fell, he fell headlong into self-centered individualism. Individualism enables us to shift blame and refuse to take responsibility for the choices we make. It allows us to avoid reckoning with the resulting outcomes.

With Adam's fall, our choices became self-made, and sin left its imprint on the human race. We took a deep dive into the rebellion of individualism and independence, and we lost the essence of true humanness and personhood. The immediate results of Adam's individualism and independence were violence and death. The first family became quite dysfunctional, and the first murder was indeed fratricide: a deadly confrontation between two brothers.

Abuse is nothing new to humanity, and dysfunctional family systems are as old as time itself. The dysfunction of our individualistic, self-centered culture rears its ugly head in so many ways and causes us to lash out against others. Our words, for example, have both the ability to kill and the ability to create life. To tell a child that they will never amount to anything has a lifelong impact. It leaves a mark--an imprint that requires the salvific presence of God himself to mend and heal (a process that can take years). And in a society where we cater to instant gratification, the notion of healing and wholeness as a lifelong journey feeds the frenzy of our already restless and fast-paced lifestyles.

As much as we may affirm that we are new creations in Christ, we also affirm we are beset by weaknesses, and the feelings of our infirmities can often get the best of us. An infirmity is that which takes away our strength. All sorts of things throughout our journey rob us of our strength and challenge our ability to move forward. None of us arrive at adulthood without wounds, even if we were raised in a Christian home. Brokenness and beauty coexist in all of us, and the reason is simple: sin is still present; good and evil still coexist, and we are fallible and flawed and in need of grace to be and to become who the Father intended in Christ by His Spirit.

Our journeys leave some of us more wounded than others and vulnerable to the experience of victimization. Depending on the degree of victimization, the innocent party may suffer great trauma, and with great trauma often comes a profound level of shock and numbness. Many victims subconsciously freeze their pain, and the process of thawing out their emotions and allowing themselves to feel again can take years. Denial and anger are often present simply because it can be far too painful for the victim to admit the wound ever happened in the first place.

But there is hope. In Jesus we see true personhood, true humanity, and the opposite of egocentric individualism. Jesus isn't out to "get"; He exists to give. Christ was the victim of the worst and most cruel hate crime in all of history, and through His own death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, He established a pathway for victims to become victors in and through Him.

I have known Brenda Crouch for a number of years, and I have been deeply impacted by her life story. I am moved by the way the Lord has navigated her through pain to become an agent of the Spirit's healing grace to others who have suffered wounding. In her brand-new book, Fight Forward: Reclaim the Real You, Brenda makes her life an open book. Her transparency is an open window that lets the fresh air of heaven into the dark rooms of our isolation and pain, where our wounds have grown foul and festered. Her story will not only draw you in, but it will also invite you to explore the pain you have endured and help lead you to Jesus, His healing presence, and His grace.

If you are reading this book, it is precisely because you are ready to get your "fight" back--the good fight of faith, which refuses to settle for less than the journey to a future immersed in Jesus' glorious inheritance. It is time to move forward and reclaim the real you, and this book is as good a place to start as I know to help you take your first step.

- Dr. Mark Chironna, Church On The Living Edge and Mark Chironna Ministries

In Fight Forward, Brenda Crouch bravely removes the mask of a counterfeit identity to reveal the truth about our authentic value. Her honest portrayal of the journey to freedom from the traumatic effects of abuse through courageous faith will encourage you.
- Kevin and Sam Sorbo, award-winning filmmakers and authors

My father, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, has often said to me, "There's a lot of private pain in public life." And most often those in ministry feel pressured to mask their troubles, fearing the disappointment and condemnation that exposure of those challenges might bring forth. Well, no more! In Fight Forward, Brenda Crouch courageously lifts her veil and shows us how transparency leads to transformation. Blessed assurance, our scars can become our stars. Thank you, Brenda, for reminding us that our pain is our pathway to our greatest possibilities and power.
- Santita Jackson, executive producer, producer, and co-host, Keep Hope Alive with Rev. Jesse Jackson radio show, singer; television and radio host/producer

I was deeply moved as I read Fight Forward. Brenda Crouch is tenderly vulnerable as she skillfully shares painful areas of abuse and her journey into wholeness. It is truly a must read and a safe read for those who have walked on similar paths, and it is especially insightful for those who haven't. Brenda shares valuable revelation regarding the healing, restoration, and freedom that flow from knowing your true identity--making you a victor and not a victim.
- Dr. Patricia King, founder, Patricia King Ministries

In Fight Forward, Brenda Crouch shows us how to fight through every battle and rise resilient, knowing the great I AM will bring us up and over every mountain. Get ready to win!
- Thelma Wells ("Mama T"), author, speaker, mentor

Too many Christians feel isolated and obligated to perform for acceptance. Brenda Crouch in Fight Forward will help you find a satisfying sense of belonging in your God-given identity.
- Dr. Nick Eno, author of The Orphan Syndrome, speaker, minister, licensed professional counselor, and marriage and family therapist

Brenda's beautifully written book, Fight Forward, reminds us that no matter what we've been through or no matter what we are facing, we serve a God who restores and heals. She challenges us to always seek the truth in love as we practice forgiveness and find that ultimate peace which comes only through knowing and following Jesus.
- Dr. Robert and Donna Schuller, Robert Schuller Ministries

Brenda Crouch finally exposes the demonic lies that have robbed millions of Christians from understanding their true identity. No longer will you be trapped by lowering the bar for fulfilling your destiny. Biblical and brutally honest, Fight Forward provides us with essential knowledge to sail with the coming greater Glory!
- Sid Roth, president and host of It's Supernatural

In Romans 12:18 Paul instructs us, "If it is possible as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." To live "at peace" means giving up and allowing God to take on the suffering and pain we have endured throughout our life's journey. Jesus endured the cross so that we would have the option to choose peace. In family relationships, marriages, and friendships that have cut into our beings, the blood of Jesus is the only healing solvent--but our healing also depends on us and what we choose. Brenda Crouch has chosen peace. In her book Fight Forward: Reclaim the Real You, she reveals her healing journey so you can take a risk and embark on the same steps toward peace. If you are struggling, don't miss this revealing, heartfelt read. Choose peace.
- Kathleen Cooke, co-founder, Cooke Pictures and The Influence Lab, author of Hope 4Today: Stay Connected to God in a Distracted Culture

Fight Forward: Reclaim the Real You reveals a deeply personal journey and an all-too-common one of abuse, rejection, and pain. If you have ever vowed that you will never be hurt again, then this book is for you. Brenda Crouch will show you through her life story how you can reclaim the real you and find wholeness and love.
- Gordon Robertson, CEO, the Christian Broadcasting Network

Brenda Crouch--with her engaging personality and love for her family and God--is a true witness to the power of restoration through the Word of God and forgiveness. In her new book Fight Forward, Brenda reveals the dark struggles she experienced and the weapons she used to defeat the enemy's strategy to steal, kill, and destroy. You will find this compelling true-life story one you cannot put down or easily forget.
- Joni Lamb, co-founder, Daystar Television Network

In Fight Forward: Reclaim the Real You, Brenda Crouch not only recounts the trials and tragedies she faced, but also powerfully recounts how she came through with victory in her heart and no malice of thought. I believe you'll enjoy the read and, even better, be strengthened in your faith.
- Richard Roberts, president and CEO, Oral Roberts Ministries

In previous generations, the Word of God, strong family ties, and personal achievement could easily launch us into a godly destiny. But today, many of us must hit a spiritual reset button in order to walk in God's plan for us. Reading Fight Forward will get you ready for the adventure of a lifetime as you reset your life.
- Bishop Harry Jackson Jr., senior pastor, Hope Christian Center, Washington, DC area; Bishop of the Fellowship of International Churches, speaker, frequent media commentator, columnist, TV host of The Hope Connection, presidential advisor

In Fight Forward, Brenda Crouch shares her incredibly honest, authentic, transparent, raw, and personal story, and in doing so she empowers all of us to reclaim our true and real selves in Christ. Every page is loaded with God's wisdom, grace, depth, and power. You won't be able to put down this book, and you'll be glad you picked it up.
- Beth Jones, author of the Getting a Grip on the Basics series, host of The Basics with Beth TV, and cofounder of Valley Family Church

Brenda's passion for experiencing all that God offers will inspire you to boldly pursue His blessings. Her honesty and transparency demonstrate her desire to see everyone healed and restored. Wherever you are in your spiritual journey, you will be challenged and motivated to grow even more through Fight Forward.
- Randy Robison, LIFE Today TV

Countless women are struggling in their relationships today because of the emotional prisons their past has created for them. They find themselves performing for love, living under labels, and stuck in abusive situations. Brenda's story of healing and courage will empower women everywhere to discover the love of the Father for them through His Son Jesus.
- Ed Tandy McGlasson, founder, Blessing of the Father Ministries; pastor, author, speaker

Brenda Crouch has masterfully combined her life testimony of painful experiences of abuse and trauma with an anointed strategy for not living as a victim of circumstances. In her book Fight Forward, she ministers to the brokenhearted and reveals the path to full restoration and wholeness. Every page is a guide on how to embrace a new life to the fullest.
- Hank and Brenda Kunneman, Lord of Hosts Church and One Voice Ministries, Omaha, Nebraska

From broken to healed, from lies to truth, from victim to victor, Brenda Crouch reveals through her life journey God's grace and redemption. Her story is an instrument in God's hands to show others how to walk into freedom and a new life.
- Bob Higley, CEO of Upliftv, Joanie Higley Ministry Relations & Producer, Upliftv

Brenda Crouch has delivered a compassionate, life-changing book for hurting people. Fight Forward is a riveting transparent life story of a victim of abuse who found freedom, redemption, and restoration through Jesus Christ. Fight Forward will open the door of dark secrets and set you free with real answers.
- Ward Simpson, CEO, God TV

Fight Forward is a profound revelation of how to press forth to the mark of the high calling in your life. If guilt and shame have ever tried to block your progress, then Brenda Crouch's deep and tender treatment of overcoming near impossible life challenges will put you on a new path. Her incredible story of going from victim to victor is enough to show how anyone in any situation can move beyond their past into a glorious future.
- Mary Hudson, founder, AriseConferences.com, KeithHudson.org

Brenda Crouch has done what very few leaders in ministry are willing to do: she took the mask off and let people see the real person. The real person with pain, flaws, insecurities, and brokenness. Thank you, Brenda, for blazing the trail of truth so that many can follow behind you into the greatest days of our lives and find freedom!
- Hope Carpenter, pastor, Redemption Church Bay Area, San José, California

Fight Forward: Reclaim the Real You is not just a book--it is a gift. Told with courageous candor in the hopes of setting other captives free, Brenda Crouch unveils the crippling emotional, psychological, and spiritual damage that she suffered from years of childhood sexual abuse, and her subsequent tenacious, heart-wrenching, roller-coaster journey in search of inner healing and reclaiming her true identity, purpose, and gifting in Christ. Like a multi-faceted jewel, Fight Forward is filled with gripping stories and lessons learned. Each chapter rewards the reader with pearls of wisdom to help overcome life's wounds and injustices and embrace one's unique destiny. This is a not-to-be-missed book for anyone who has ever longed for healing, wholeness, redemption, and the courage to finally step out of the stormy boat into the loving arms of Jesus.
- Marion Pyle, president, Legacy Media Lab, writer, director, producer, actor, author

In the words of Dr. Brené Brown, "owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren't always comfortable, but they're never weakness." Brenda Crouch's book Fight Forward is all courage, bathed in truth and motivated by love.
- Bobby Downes, filmmaker and founder, ChristianCinema.com

About the Author

Brenda is passionate about getting the message of hope and healing to those who are sleepwalking through life or feeling marginalized in their God-given purpose because of intimidation and control from abusive influences. Having learned about the reality of mental illness and its effects on loved ones through painful life experiences, she is also qualified to offer sound advice and encouragement to anyone who desires to break free from a victim mentality!

Brenda was awakened to the entertainment industry at an early age as a child of gospel music recording artists. She was predisposed for a career in music earning a professional status as a singer at an early age. Through scholarships funded by the Miss Nevada / Miss America Pageant, Brenda studied Biblical and Ministerial Arts at Capital Bible Institute in Sacramento, California. She achieved success as a TV spokesmodel, radio and TV jingle singer, and voice-over artist. As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and adult domestic violence, Brenda eventually found her true identity and healing through her personal and private journey with Christ and the wisdom of true, godly counsel.

Brenda's greatest joy and achievement has been raising her daughter, Bryanna, as an honest example of what it means to walk daily with Christ and break every generational curse. She has served in various music ministries and churches as a worship leader, singer/songwriter, blogger, and public speaker, while working for over twenty years as a decorative artist and self-taught interior designer.

Brenda is the wife of American Christian broadcaster and film producer Paul Crouch, Jr. Together they live in Southern California and are the grandparents of four boys and one girl.