Blessed in the Darkness

Stacey checks herself in to a youth homeless shelter. The seventeen-year-old has just fled an abusive home environment and is unable to see a bright future. She spends her days drinking vodka and getting high as an escape from reality. A worker at the shelter begins telling Stacey about his beliefs as a Christian and she starts to ponder her own belief system. Over the coming weeks, Stacey meets several more Christians who make her question things further. She begins struggling with her mental health more than ever before and soon finds herself in hospital after admitting she wants to kill herself. Left alone in her hospital room, Stacey prays for the first time. A week after being discharged, the self-confessed atheist attends church for the very first time. As she listens to the Pastor preach during the Sunday morning service, she begins feeling intense emotions that stir her to give her life to Jesus. The following months are filled with many highs and lows as Stacey struggles to accept her new life.

One year after becoming a Christian, Stacey attempts suicide. Following her suicide attempt, she is healed of an eating disorder that she had kept hidden from close friends. After being healed of the eating disorder, she embarks on a journey of healing from the past childhood abuse and brokenness that has controlled her entire life.

S.J Rye is an author, motivational speaker, and Jesus lover. Boldly sharing her life story, S.J sheds light on mental illnesses and welcomes a fresh insight into what Christian life is like for an abused, broken young person who struggled to find self-worth.

Her debut novel Blessed in the Darkness is an uncut, untamed recount of how a shattered life was given fresh hope. Delving in to the dark depths of suicide, childhood abuse, and mental health recovery; Blessed in the Darkness proves that sometimes the hardest pains can bring the greatest gains.