Michaela Nikolaenko

And yet in each and every one of those things, I was seeking something that could only be found in Him. ☦️

1. Healthy space and boundaries

Usually, we need some time and space away from the pain to best process it. I was 13 when I placed my first restraining order and my abuser was in prison for the next 5 years, giving me plenty of time and space to process.

2. Studying psychology

While in college I studied psychology and learned that hurt people hurt people. I also learned how impacted we are by our own childhood development, and began to have compassion for my parents and the love voids they must have had.

3. Encountering the spirit world

When I was 22 I encountered a demon. This encounter shook me to my core and provoked a radical change in my life. But it was then I began to understand the spiritual war raging around us, and this fight against good and evil for each of our souls. I realized my parents were losing that war and began to pray the state of their souls.

4. Embracing God as my Father

Realizing demons were real, made me realize that the Bible was true, and Christ was real. I now had a father in heaven to parent me, guide me, and love me in ways I never had before. In this, I developed a new mindset about my pain—most importantly, that there was a purpose in it.

5. Processing my pain

I did lots of therapy, group therapy, support groups, and the like, getting to verbalize my pain out loud. Each time I told the story, it held less power over me. And connected me with others who could relate.

6. Coming to the Church

When I realized the Orthodox Church was where I could practice the fullness of Christianity, I came home. Here I gained a spiritual family, and a new profound understanding of salvation and healing.

Orthodoxy teaches a theology of healing, in that the more we draw towards Christ through His Church, the more we heal. Through the Sacraments, liturgical living, and learning to love Christ more, we too can be healed like the Saints were.

7. Starting a family of my own

Saint John Climacus says there are two paths to our salvation: 1) monasticism and 2) marriage. I chose the latter, and through my Orthodox family life, I am continuing to heal and grow towards Christ.

Still can’t believe we have a cradle orthodox baby. 🥹☦️🙏

Little me would definitely think we made it even just owning a pumpkin spice candle. 😂🥹 so grateful to get our home cozy for Fall. 🍂

Sometimes it be like that. 😩 especially since she all of a sudden has opinions about what she wants to wear… BUT… the moment we walked in it was all worth it. ☦️🙏

Our season of fine tuning a morning routine. ☺️☦️☕️✨ what’re the non-negotiables of yours?

Papabear Naturals discount link in bio 🫶
☦️ Icons by Orthodox Icons Corona

1. The first thing I had to learn in my young adulthood was that no friendship is perfect because no human is perfect. Expecting perfection or completion in a friend makes them an idol in your life, and only Christ can fill those shoes.

2. Sometimes friendships do come and go depending on the season of life we’re in. The more rooted you grow in yourself and what you value, the more your friendships get refined to reflect those things too. And not everyone is meant to be a BEST friend, and that’s okay.

3. The most secure friendships I ever made were with those who also follow Christ. If (and when) we eventually beef, we know we’re mutually praying for each other and seeking God’s will for the situation.

4. God will bring together the most unlikely people with different backgrounds, different hobbies, and different statuses, all because we’re connected and one in Him.

5. True friends will encourage you to grow in your goals and in your faith, never jealous or envious, but wanting to see what’s best for you. And it typically takes a Christ rooted friend to be capable of that kind of love.

6. True friends will also strive to see the best in you and your intentions, even if you upset them. We all analyze things through our own inner lenses and passions, and we can get things wrong sometimes. It’s best to assume the best in one another and talk about issues to get to the bottom of them.

7. Sometimes the enemy does attack godly friendships with strife. This can re-center us on our need for Christ alone and be good for our salvation. And, if we approach the attacks with love and prayer, we can overcome them and be stronger connected because of it.

What would you add? ❤️