Lately, I’ve been faced with something that made me stop and really think: being asked to change my book—specifically, to remove the chapter about rape.

And honestly… that didn’t sit right with me.

Because one thing I know for sure is this: God does not condone lying.

He would never tell someone to hide the truth about what they’ve been through just to make other people feel more comfortable. That’s not who He is. The Bible is clear—truth matters. Truth brings freedom. As it says in The Gospel of John, “you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”

So how can removing real-life experiences—especially something as serious as sexual trauma—be aligned with that?

Let’s be real: lying may impress people. It may make things look cleaner, more polished, more “acceptable.” But it does not impress God. And more importantly, it doesn’t heal.

Lying is often rooted in appeasing others—trying to fit into what people think is appropriate, palatable, or “godly.” But true healing doesn’t come from pretending. It comes from honesty. It comes from facing what happened, speaking it, and allowing that truth to breathe.

There’s also something deeper to consider: when we silence real experiences, especially painful ones, we don’t just silence ourselves—we silence others who are going through the same thing. We take away the chance for someone else to feel seen, understood, and less alone.

And that matters.

My story is not just a story—it’s truth. It’s lived experience. It’s something that, while painful, carries purpose. And purpose doesn’t come from hiding. It comes from walking boldly in truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.

At the end of the day, I have to stand on this: honesty is healthy. Honesty heals. Honesty frees.

And I refuse to trade truth for comfort.