The following is a personal testimony based on a true story. All names, locations, and other identifying information have been changed to ensure the safety and privacy of the individuals involved.
I was hiding in a wardrobe at 2 AM, having just swallowed 15 sleeping pills. My four-month-old baby had just died under mysterious circumstances just days earlier. My successful journalism career had crumbled overnight. Every relationship in my life lay in ruins.
What I didn’t understand then was that I had become trapped in what many call spiritual manipulation. Someone had systematically destroyed my life, piece by piece, through methods I couldn’t understand at the time.
My name is Annah, and this is my story of how I broke free from the darkest chapter of my life and found complete restoration.
If you’re reading this wondering whether spiritual captivity is real or if there’s hope for someone in a similar situation, this testimony is for you.
Key Takeaways
- Spiritual manipulation is real. Certain individuals use spiritual deception and control tactics to destroy others.
- Vulnerability creates opportunity. Times of crisis, job loss, or emotional pain make us easy targets for manipulation
- Isolation is a weapon. Manipulators systematically cut victims off from family and healthy support systems.
- Recovery requires more than willpower. Breaking free from deep psychological and spiritual bondage needs spiritual intervention. And the support of family and friends.
- Complete restoration is possible. No matter how devastated your life appears, healing and rebuilding are achievable.
- Family prayers provide protection. The intercession by loved ones creates a spiritual covering even when communication has been cut off.
The Setup: When Success Masked Vulnerability
In 2018, I had everything going for me. I worked as a professional journalist for a leading media house. I covered business stories and built what seemed like a promising career. My parents had raised me with discipline and strong moral boundaries.
But success without spiritual foundation can be a dangerous vulnerability. When I lost my high-paying job in early 2019, everything began unraveling. Ironically, I lost my job the day after I was awarded “Best Employee.” The enemy struck at my highest moment.
The Bible warns us:
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” – Proverbs 16:18 (NIV)
What seemed like coincidence was actually calculated targeting. Those who practice spiritual manipulation often identify people with bright futures to destroy. They watch for moments of weakness and vulnerability.
The Bible tells us in Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV):
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.”
God had plans for my life, but dark forces were working to derail those plans.
The Trap: How Manipulation Begins
Depression from unemployment led me to alcohol as an escape. During this vulnerable time, my cousin introduced me to Sam who would become my greatest nightmare.
Sam didn’t appear threatening initially. Manipulators rarely do. They present themselves as helpers, friends, or even romantic interests. They study their targets carefully and know exactly when to approach.
The relationship followed a predictable pattern that many manipulation victims experience:
- Timing the approach. He appeared during my lowest point when I was financially and emotionally vulnerable.
- Creating false intimacy. The relationship quickly became physical and emotional before I had time to think clearly.
- Gradual isolation. Slowly separating me from family, friends, and anyone who might recognize what was happening.
- Identity destruction. Breaking down my sense of self-worth and independent thinking.
What started as casual hangouts quickly became something much darker. Just a few days after we met, we became intimate. I hardly knew the man but I went to bed with him.
I found myself making decisions I never would have made before. My judgment became clouded. My independence disappeared.
Life Under Control: When You Lose Yourself
Being under someone’s complete control means losing your own mind, will, and discernment. You become what I call “a shell” – going through motions without real autonomy.
My life deteriorated rapidly:
- Financial ruin. I went from living comfortably to being homeless. I was forced to move in with Sam.
- Behavioral changes. From a disciplined, ambitious woman I stopped caring about hygiene, career, or the future.
- Health problems. Repeated pregnancy losses and unexplained physical symptoms.
- Complete dependency. I was unable to make decisions without his approval. I lost all sense of personal agency.
The most telling sign was how his life dramatically improved while mine collapsed. This man who had owned only one pair of trousers when we met suddenly had cars, money, and was supporting his entire extended family. Someone who struggled with basic English suddenly became a successful writer.
Meanwhile, I lost everything. My savings disappeared. My professional contacts dried up. My family relationships crumbled. I stopped pursuing work opportunities that had once excited me.
The Ultimate Loss: Tragedy and Trauma
After many miscarriages, I finally carried a baby to term. Unlike the previous pregnancies, I did not tell him about this one. My new-born son brought me brief hope and joy. For four months, he was the light in my dark world.
But even his birth involved unusual circumstances. Labor lasted 12 hours with minimal dilation. I experienced symptoms the medical staff couldn’t explain. It was only through the prayers of my mother and her friends that the delivery was successful.
Then came the pattern I should have recognized earlier. My son stopped gaining weight despite constant feeding. Every clinic visit showed no growth. This wasn’t normal infant development.
The night my son died, I experienced the deepest sleep of my life – unnaturally deep. When I woke to find him unresponsive, Sam showed no emotion whatsoever. No tears, no grief, no shock. His complete lack of reaction confirmed what I later understood about the calculated nature of what had happened.
Rock Bottom: When Death Seemed Like Escape
After losing my child, I descended into complete despair. Alcohol and substances became my only companions. The guilt, self-blame, and emotional torment were unbearable.
Many suicide attempts followed:
- I tried to cut myself but was too scared to go through with it.
- I decided to jump from my fourth floor apartment but at the last moment my neighbor showed up and ruined my plans.
- I attempted other methods that were mysteriously thwarted.
- Finally I took sleeping pills and hid in my wardrobe, waiting to die.
- But even in my darkest hour, protection surrounded me. Each suicide attempt was somehow prevented. Divine intervention kept me alive when I had given up all hope.
Psalm 34:7 (NIV) reminds us:
“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.”
The Rescue: When Love Breaks Through Darkness
My parents found me unconscious in my wardrobe. They had broken down my door after I stopped responding to their calls. My mother later said she expected to find my dead body.
What I didn’t know was that my mother had been in intensive prayer for months. I had cut off all communication and pushed my family away. But her intercession created spiritual protection around my life.
The Bible teaches us that:
“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous person avails much.” – James 5:16 (NKJV)
My mother’s prayers literally kept me alive.
Breaking Free: The Journey to Freedom
True healing began when I surrendered my life to Christ at my mother’s church. Even though I still smelled of alcohol and carried the evidence of my broken life, I walked to the altar and knelt down.
My parents forgave me publicly and blessed me right there. But real recovery required much more than that single moment.
The Process of Healing
Breaking free from deep manipulation and trauma involves several stages:
- Acknowlede the problem. Recognize that what happened wasn’t normal relationship difficulties but systematic destruction.
- Break unhealthy connections. Cut all ties with the manipulative person and their influence.
- Address trauma. Process the emotional and psychological damage through counseling and spiritual care.
- Rebuild identity. Rediscover who you are apart from the manipulator’s definition of you.
- Establish healthy boundaries. Learn to recognize and prevent future manipulation.
Living in Safety
I didn’t just attend church – I moved in. For three months, I lived within the church building, refusing to leave. This wasn’t extreme behavior; it was necessary protection.
During this time of intensive healing:
- I learned to hear God’s voice clearly through prayer and meditation.
- I studied the Bible as a guide for rebuilding my life.
- I received counseling and spiritual direction from mature believers.
- God gave me a new name symbolizing my complete transformation.
The Hardest Part: Learning to Forgive
Perhaps the most difficult aspect of my recovery was forgiving the man who had destroyed my life and caused my child’s death. This seemed impossible, but forgiveness became essential for my complete healing.
Jesus taught us to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Forgiveness isn’t about feelings – it’s about choosing freedom over bitterness.
Today, I genuinely pray for this man’s well-being and transformation. I don’t want him to remain trapped in darkness. I want him to experience the same mercy and restoration that saved my life.
Recognizing Spiritual Manipulation
Through my experience, I’ve learned to identify the tactics manipulators use:
Warning Signs of Spiritual Manipulation:
- Targeting vulnerability. Beware of new relationships during job loss, breakups, family crises, or emotional instability.
- Isolation tactics. Gradually separating victims from family, friends, and healthy community.
- Financial control. Creating complete dependency or systematically draining resources.
- Identity destruction. Breaking down self-worth and independent thinking.
- Monitoring and control. Tracking activities, relationships, and decisions.
- Emotional manipulation. Using guilt, fear, shame, or false love to control behavior.
- Spiritual authority claims. Presenting themselves as having special spiritual insight or power.
Biblical Warnings
Scripture provides clear guidance about recognizing destructive people:
- Matthew 7:15-20 (NKJV): “Beware of those who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits… Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”
- 1 John 4:1 (NKJV): “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God.”
The Bible consistently warns us to test people by their actions, not their words. Manipulators may speak beautifully but leave destruction in their wake.
Signs Someone May Be Under Manipulation
Based on my experience, here are warning signs to watch for:
Personal Changes:
- Dramatic personality shifts that seem out of character.
- Loss of ambition, goals, or life direction.
- Isolation from family and healthy relationships.
- Unusual financial problems or complete dependency.
- Health issues without clear medical explanations.
- Repeated patterns of loss, failure, or “bad luck”.
Relationship Red Flags:
- Partner discourages contact with family and friends.
- Excessive control over daily activities and decisions.
- Lack of emotional response to your pain or struggles.
- Benefits that only flow in one direction.
- Fear of questioning or leaving the relationship.
- Feeling like you’re “walking on eggshells” constantly.
The Path to Recovery: 5 Steps
If you recognize these patterns in your life or someone else’s, here are practical steps toward freedom:
1. Acknowledge the Reality
The first step is recognizing that manipulation and spiritual abuse are real. Don’t dismiss your experiences or minimize what’s happening.
2. Seek Safe Support
Find trustworthy people who understand these dynamics:
- Mature believers with wisdom and discernment.
- Professional counselors experienced in abuse recovery.
- Support groups for manipulation or abuse survivors.
- Family members who can provide practical help.
3. Create Physical Safety
If you’re in immediate danger, prioritize your safety:
- Develop a safety plan with trusted friends or family.
- Journal concerning behaviors.
- Consider involving law enforcement if threatened.
- Have emergency contacts and resources readily available.
4. Break All Unhealthy Connections
This requires decisive action:
- Cut all contact with the manipulative person.
- Remove or destroy items that connect you to them.
- Change phone numbers, social media accounts, or addresses if necessary.
- Block all forms of communication.
5. Focus on Healing
Recovery is a process that takes time:
- Engage in regular counseling or therapy.
- Join support groups with others who understand.
- Practice spiritual disciplines like prayer and Bible study.
- Rebuild healthy relationships gradually.
- Be patient with yourself during the healing process.
Hope for Families: Supporting Loved Ones
To parents, spouses, and friends watching someone trapped in manipulation:
Your Love and Prayers Matter
Even when your loved one has cut off communication, your intercession provides spiritual covering. My mother’s prayers sustained me through the darkest periods when I had rejected all family contact.
Don’t Give Up Hope
God can reach anyone, anywhere. I was considered hopeless by everyone who knew my situation. Medical professionals, family members, and friends all expected me to die. But God had different plans.
Keep praying, keep believing, keep loving – even from a distance when necessary.
Understand the Battle
This isn’t just about poor choices or rebellion. Manipulation creates genuine psychological and spiritual bondage that requires specialized help. Approach the situation with both compassion and wisdom.
Set Healthy Boundaries
You can love and pray without enabling destructive behavior. Sometimes the most loving action is allowing someone to experience consequences while maintaining spiritual intercession for their breakthrough.
My Life Today: Complete Restoration
Today, I am a youth pastor and women’s ministry leader. God has restored everything the enemy tried to destroy:
- My identity: I know who I am in Christ and my purpose in life
- My calling: I’m fulfilling my destiny.
- My relationships: Full reconciliation with family and healthy new friendships.
- My ministry: Using my testimony to help others find freedom from manipulation.
- My joy: The happiness that was stolen has been completely restored.
The Bible promises in Joel 2:25 (NKJV):
“I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten.”
This is God’s heart for every person trapped in any form of captivity or manipulation.
Moving Forward: Your Journey to Freedom
If you’re currently experiencing manipulation or spiritual abuse, please remember:
- You are not alone: Many others have walked this path and found freedom.
- It’s not too late: No situation is beyond hope or recovery.
- You deserve better: Healthy relationships exist and are possible for you.
- Help is available: Professional counselors, support groups, and caring communities exist.
- Your future matters: The plans God has for your life are good, not destructive.
Jesus declared in Luke 4:18 (NIV):
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.”
This freedom is available to anyone willing to reach for it.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, contact local emergency services or domestic violence hotlines. This testimony is shared to provide hope and education, not to replace professional medical or legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How can I tell if someone is manipulating me spiritually?
A. Look for these patterns: isolation from family and friends, excessive control over your decisions, financial dependency, fear of questioning the relationship, and dramatic negative changes in your life while their situation improves. Trust your instincts if something feels wrong.
Q. Is spiritual manipulation really possible, or is this just psychology?
A. While psychological manipulation certainly exists, many people experience dimensions of control and influence that go beyond purely psychological explanations. The Bible acknowledges spiritual warfare as real (Ephesians 6:12). Many situations involve both psychological and spiritual elements.
Q. What should I do if I think I’m being manipulated?
A. Start by acknowledging the situation honestly. Seek help from mature believers, professional counselors, or support groups experienced with manipulation and abuse. Begin documenting patterns you notice. Gradually reconnect with healthy relationships. Most importantly, don’t try to handle this alone.
Q. How long does recovery from spiritual manipulation take?
A. Recovery is both an event and a process. Breaking free from the immediate situation can happen quickly, but healing from trauma and rebuilding your life takes time. Be patient with yourself and committed to the healing process. Some people see significant improvement within months, while others need years of consistent work.
Q. Should I confront the person who manipulated me?
A. Generally, no. Direct confrontation often escalates the situation and can be dangerous. Focus on your own healing and safety first. If legal issues are involved, consult appropriate authorities or legal counsel.
Q. How can I protect myself from future manipulation?
A. Develop strong personal relationships with trustworthy people. Learn to recognize manipulation tactics. Maintain healthy boundaries in all relationships. Don’t make major life decisions during vulnerable periods. Stay connected to healthy community and spiritual support. Trust your instincts when something feels wrong.
Q. Can families be restored after manipulation and abuse?
A. Yes, but it takes time, patience, and often professional help. Both the victim and family members need healing – victims from trauma and family members from their own pain and confusion. Restoration is possible but requires commitment from all parties and proper support.
Q. How do I know if my recovery is genuine?
A. Genuine recovery produces lasting positive changes: healthy relationships, good decision-making abilities, emotional stability, spiritual growth, and the ability to help others in similar situations. You’ll have peace and joy that weren’t present during the manipulation period.