Author Hadassah Treu discusses her faith journey and new book.
Key Takeaways
– Hadassah found faith at 17 in communist Bulgaria, overcoming depression through an encounter with evangelical Christianity
– She wrote “Drawn Near” about finding blessings in painful experiences, drawing from personal struggles including widowhood
– Hadassah emphasizes Bible study, prayer, and faithfulness in suffering as key pillars for spiritual growth
– She has an active ministry through blogging, writing, and speaking, primarily in English
Topics
Hadassah’s Faith Journey
– Grew up in communist Bulgaria with little exposure to religion
– Struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts as a teenager
– Prayed for 6 months for God to reveal Himself
– Classmates brought her to an evangelical church where she first heard the gospel
– Immediately responded in faith at age 17
Spiritual Growth Practices
– Bible study: Progressed from memorizing verses to in-depth study and journaling
– Prayer: Developed a more transparent prayer life over time
– Faithfulness in suffering: Views struggles as catalysts for spiritual growth
– Daily routine: Starts day with Bible reading, study, journaling, and prayer
Book: “Drawn Near”
– Subtitle: “How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings”
– Explores 13 painful experiences (e.g., betrayal, rejection, grief, loneliness, depression)
– Shares personal stories and biblical theology on suffering
– Aims to change perspective on suffering, highlighting potential for growth and blessings
Personal Experiences with Suffering
– Struggled with depression, anxiety, and panic attacks
– Dealt with infertility and unfulfilled desire for motherhood
– Lost her husband Thomas unexpectedly 4.5 years ago
– Moved back to Bulgaria from Austria after husband’s passing
– Decided to use her pain to help others, bringing measure of peace and joy
Ministry and Writing Career
– Started officially in 2017, before husband’s passing
– Husband was instrumental in supporting and helping launch her blog
– Initially wrote in Bulgarian and English, now focuses primarily on English
– Contributes to various Christian websites and publications
– Received a literature award from her municipality for poetry
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