Silence can be heavy. We hold in our pain, our struggles, and our fears, convincing ourselves that keeping them hidden is the safest option. But true healing begins when we break that silence and bring our secrets into the light. That’s the powerful message at the heart of Broken Silence, where hosts Isik and Anne Beiler share their journeys and encourage others to find freedom through honesty and vulnerability.

Why Breaking the Silence Matters

At some point, we all carry something inside—hurt, grief, shame—that we’re afraid to share. But as Anne shares in this episode, silence doesn’t keep pain from growing; it amplifies it. Secrets create strongholds, and when we don’t talk about our struggles, they begin to control us.

Anne’s own journey is a testament to this. Raised in a strong Amish family, she grew up believing that if she lived a good life and followed the rules, she would be blessed. But life doesn’t always go as planned. Tragedy and trauma found her, challenging everything she believed.

A Love Story Marked by Loss

Anne met her husband, Jonas, at 16, and it was love at first sight. She felt lucky to have found such a kind, gentle man. But even before their marriage, loss entered their story. Jonas lost his brother in a motorcycle accident, and the grief weighed heavily on him.

Despite the heartache, they built a life together, had children, and remained deeply involved in their church. But another devastating loss would shake their world—a loss no parent ever wants to endure.

A Mother’s Worst Nightmare

One ordinary morning, Anne’s 19-month-old daughter, Angela Joy, wandered outside and was accidentally run over by a piece of farm equipment. She was gone instantly.

The grief was unbearable. Anne describes how, in that moment, she felt herself spiraling into a deep emotional and spiritual confusion. She had done everything “right,” yet here she was, shattered, unable to make sense of why God had allowed such a tragedy. And in the pain, she did what so many of us do—she went silent.

When Silence Becomes a Stronghold

Anne and Jonas, once best friends who shared everything, suddenly found themselves unable to talk about their pain. Silence took over their marriage. And then, in the depths of her grief, Anne sought guidance from her pastor—a trusted leader. But instead of offering support, he took advantage of her vulnerability, leading to seven years of abuse, secrecy, and shame.

The trauma of losing her daughter was now compounded by another level of devastation. Anne didn’t just feel pain—she felt trapped. Trapped in shame. Trapped in silence. And the longer she kept the secret, the more power it had over her.

The Lies We Believe in the Darkness

Anne recalls a quote that deeply resonates with her journey: “Satan builds his strongholds in the secrets of our lives and reinforces them with silence.” That’s exactly what happened to her. She believed the lies: No one will believe you. You’re a bad person now. There’s no way out.

It wasn’t just Anne who suffered. Her family was affected, too. What she didn’t know at the time was that her pastor was also abusing others—including her own young daughter. The cycle of abuse spread like poison, touching lives in ways she never could have imagined.

The Power of Confession: The First Step to Freedom

After seven long years, Anne reached a breaking point. The weight of silence had become unbearable, and the Holy Spirit compelled her to do the one thing she was most afraid of—tell her husband.

Confessing the truth to Jonas was the hardest thing she had ever done. But it was also the moment that everything began to change. There is a powerful verse that captures this truth: “Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” (James 5:16)

Talking about our struggles isn’t easy. It takes courage. But Anne’s story proves that when we break our silence, we break the strongholds holding us captive. Healing begins with honesty.

Your Pain Does Not Define You

If you’ve been through trauma, abuse, or deep loss, you are not alone. The enemy wants you to believe that no one will understand. But the truth is, there is always a way out.

Breaking the silence isn’t just about your healing—it’s about stopping cycles of pain from continuing. It’s about breaking generational chains and making sure the next person doesn’t have to suffer in the same way.

How to Take the First Step

• Find a safe person to talk to. Whether it’s a friend, a therapist, a pastor, or a counselor, choose someone you trust who will listen without judgment.
• Acknowledge that secrecy fuels pain. Silence keeps us trapped. Speaking out is the first step to freedom.
• Know that healing is possible. No matter what you’ve been through, restoration is available.

You Are Not Alone

Anne’s story is a reminder that breaking the silence leads to healing, redemption, and transformation. If you are carrying something too heavy to bear, we encourage you: Talk about it. Tell someone. Don’t let silence hold you captive any longer.