Up from the Grave: Breaking Free from Trauma to Live an Abundant Life

By Caitlin Emma Kirschenbaum

" ... But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect- life in its fullness until you overflow! " - J O H N 1 0 : 1 0

It seemed like I had everything... until my world abruptly came tumbling down.

Join me as we journey through the testimony of how Jesus rescued me from the

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: May 28, 2024
• ISBN: 9798890416742

Caitlin Emma Kirschenbaum

Caitlin Emma Kirschenbaum was raised in Sparta, New Jersey with her incredible family-her parents, Carol and Peter, and her older brother, Andy. Beginning at age seven, she trained and competed in various forms of dance. She has danced with multiple professional ballet companies. Caitlin is a graduate of Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry. She has been on multiple mission trips to Brazil and Honduras. Her sole passion is to know Jesus Christ and give her life for Him daily.

Book preview

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Breaking Free

from Trauma

to Live an

Abundant Life

Caitlin Emma Kirschenbaum

Up From the Grave: Breaking Free from Trauma to Live an Abundant Life

Trilogy Christian Publishers

A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Trinity Broadcasting Network

2442 Michelle Drive

Tustin, CA 92780

Copyright © 2024 by Caitlin Emma Kirschenbaum

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked KJV taken from The Holy Bible, King James Version. Cambridge Edition: 1769.

Scripture quotations marked amp are taken from the Amplified® Bible (AMP), Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org.

Scripture quotations marked ceb are taken from the Common English Bible®, CEB® Copyright © 2010, 2011 by Common English Bible™ All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked easy are from the EasyEnglish Bible Copyright © MissionAssist 2019 - Charitable Incorporated Organization 1162807. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked esv are taken from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked msg are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright (c) 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Scripture quotations marked nlt are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

For information, address Trilogy Christian Publishing

Rights Department, 2442 Michelle Drive, Tustin, Ca 92780.

Trilogy Christian Publishing/ TBN and colophon are trademarks of Trinity Broadcasting Network.

For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Trilogy Christian Publishing.

Trilogy Disclaimer: The views and content expressed in this book are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views and doctrine of Trilogy Christian Publishing or the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

ISBN 979-8-89041-673-5

ISBN 979-8-89041-674-2 (ebook)

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Endorsements

A Prayer for You as You Read

Disclaimer

Part

Sequins

Tiny

BoardingSchool

Dancing inNew York City

Falling

The Thrill

High Highs

Gum and Coffee

Rock

The Giant

The GoldenButterfly

Coming

Part

The First

My Deliverance

Who Christ

Abide

Learning

Living

You Are

Then You Will Know

Receiving Forgiveness

Joy

Because Christ

Holy

Beholding the Kingwith a Heart

God Longs

Overcoming

There’s

Light

Overcoming

A Thriving

My Prayer for You

Postscript:

Acknowledgments

Hugest Thank You To...

My parents, Carol and Peter Kirschenbaum, who have loved me unconditionally, blessed me more than I could ask or imagine, inspired me so deeply and done more for me than I would have ever dreamed.

The beautiful women who have poured into, inspired and mentored me, including Susan Wright, Saara Taina, Yvette Van Zyl, Elizabeth Bartz, Marsha Cornwall and Donna Cole.

The men and women who have pastored and led me, loving me with the love of Jesus, including Peter Bruno, Ali Ferrell, Abi and Justin Stumvoll, Lindsay Coil, Angela West, Rebecca Cooper, Michelle Watson, Steve and Wendy Backlund, Rich Monaco, Bill Silverstein, Erin Brennan and Tom Litteer.

So many mighty men and women of God who have blessed me so much with their consistent prayers, including Mama Pinky, Mama Evelyn, Carol Kessler, Rylan Brown and Michael McCready.

The incredible friends who have helped me with this book, including Lena Tymczyna, Autumn-Rose Konopka and Kerin Clement.

Allyson Rossi for her love, support, and beautiful photos.

My older brother and first friend, whom I have always loved and admired, Andy Kirschenbaum.

One of the greatest encouragers of all time,

Chris Hansen.

…and so many others who have loved, encouraged, supported and inspired me along my journey.

Endorsements

Caitlin’s story is a powerful testimony of God’s miracle-working power to transform lives. This is not only a beautifully articulated book, but it’s founded on the Living Word of God, and carries the anointing to break bondages and set captives free. It’s the timeless message of the power of the cross - manifested in a life of one of God’s daughters. You will laugh and cry when you read this book, and be equipped for personal transformation in your own life. Nothing is impossible with God!

-Saara Taina

Dance Pastor at Bethel Church of Redding

Author of Encountering God through Dance,

Dance Pastor, and Dance Abundance.

This book will take you on a journey into the human heart in which you not only find out who you are but after all…..find Jesus. Caitlin writes her story in her own blood and tears, fully transparent and vulnerable. She opens up the doors of deep places in her heart and reflects the truth that Jesus gave to her in those places.

This book will encourage you to find the gold hidden behind the walls of your heart but I also believe this message is from the heart of God for the moment we’re living in. This message is being used to free us of all that hinders love and would keep us from being fully alive in divine, supernatural, bridal union with Jesus.

-Stevie Mitchell

Stevie Mitchell Ministries.

Caitlin’s story is a beautiful realization that God cares. God cares too much to leave us in torment, pain, or sickness. Her story is a light of hope to those who may be battling with their health and faith. Through her journey God has faithfully shown up time after time and has restored her faith and has set her free.

-Trevor Bates

Former NFL Player & Super Bowl LI Champion.Fellowship of Christian Athletes Advocate.

Caitlin is an inspiration to us all. Her unrelenting passion for Jesus is evident in every aspect of her life. Her union with Jesus has given her the courage to face and overcome overwhelming challenges. Caitlin’s life is a testimony of His goodness and miraculous power. It is an honor to know her and watch her transform into His original design.

-Susan D. Wright

Lovedintolife.org

Caitlin’s story may seem extreme for those unfamiliar with the way the dance world and eating disorders collide, but those standing centerstage know the reality of it. The pursuit of fame can be a dark and lonely journey.

For Caitlin, it almost cost her her life.

This book illuminates the path to freedom. To the Prince who rescues and teaches how to love ourselves the way He loves us.

It is a story of pain and triumph that outshines every fairytale because it is real.

-Gretchen Rodriguez

Co-author of I Hear His Whisper

Who is this one?

She arises out of her desert, clinging to her beloved.

¹

A Prayer for You as You Read

This book is for everyone. Through writing my story, I am celebrating my victories with you as we all learn to rule and reign as the incredible victors that we are as the Bride of Christ.

This book is a joyous invitation for us to magnify God together. It is a celebration that we are like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—we have been through the fire and come out on the other side, unscathed and not even smelling like smoke.

It is God’s message of freedom to those who may still be at the beginning of the journey—on their way to understanding just how incredible, whole, safe and victorious they are.

Across the board, it is an invitation to experience the undeniable, unexplainable, unchangeable goodness of God—a goodness way too big to explain in mere words.

For those struggling with anxiety, depression, or mental illness, I feel overwhelming love, hope and excitement for you as you read this book. Anxiety and depression can create an illusion that keeps you from connecting to information that can help. In the past, I have known all too well the frustration of being told that this book, or that podcast, or some sermon was the key to my breakthrough, but feeling too anxious to read or listen. Through Jesus I have overcome those lies, and I ask in faith that He would do the same for you.

I pray over the pages of my story, that God would give you grace to read and digest His truth despite how you feel. I pray that a peace from Heaven fills you as you begin to read and that you would surprise yourself with how easily you stay engaged. I pray that your heart gets lighter and lighter as you read—and that the healing process continues in your soul long after you close the book. I ask that God would bless you with every grace of wholeness for body, heart, soul, mind and spirit that I have received—freedoms so much deeper than the words I’ve written. I pray that everything you read would be so tailored to you—as if I had written these pages for you and you alone.

I bless you to know that every single one of your accusers is dead. They have already been completely dealt with on the cross. There is absolutely nothing left for you to do to overcome them, other than just yield to the One who has already conquered them on your behalf. So, I bless you! You are destined to win! I release you to enjoy life. I bless you to be saturated with life in every way.

Most of all, I give you permission to encounter the Lover of your soul as you read this book. It is so much more important to me that you meet the One who brings life and truth than that you hear my story. I pray that you feel so overwhelmed with sensations of goodness and hope that these pages simply become a gateway into knowing the God who made you and loves you with the most powerful love in the world.

Finally, I pray that as you read my story, you would be strengthened on the journey of finding your own voice.

Everything that I have fought for, I ask that God would impart to you freely.

In the mighty name of Jesus and with so much love,

Caitlin

Disclaimer

I am the Gateway. To enter through me is to experience life, freedom, and satisfaction. A