From Trauma to Triumph
In South Africa, twelve-year-old Joy has lived through more than most children her age. Her family life has been marked by hardship, including domestic violence and abuse. Her mother shared, “Due to the severity of the situation, I had to seek shelter at a home for abused women. This led to a painful separation from my children, where I was unable to see them for a period of time. It was an incredibly difficult and traumatic experience for all of us. We are currently going through a divorce, which has added to the emotional challenges we face as a family.”
For Joy, the instability and trauma were overwhelming. The separation from her mother left her feeling lost, disconnected, and uncertain about the future. But in the midst of this pain, something unexpected began to bring healing—CBN Animation’s Superbook.
A Story That Spoke to Her Heart
Joy had always loved reading because it allowed her to escape into different worlds. Watching Superbook became a similar source of comfort and hope. One episode in particular, “In the Beginning,” had a profound impact on her.
“The episode 'In the Beginning’ really helped me,” Joy shared. “It reminded me that God created me with love and purpose. Even though my family was going through a difficult time, knowing that God made me and that he cares about me made me feel special and safe.”
This story showed Joy that God is the Creator of all things, and everything he makes is beautiful and filled with purpose—including her. It gave her a sense of security and reassurance that, despite the chaos at home, she was created by God, loved by him, and part of his perfect design.
She began to understand right from wrong, and this helped guide her in making choices that led to joy and hope instead of despair. One of the most meaningful changes came through nature. Joy and her mom started taking walks together, and she would look at the trees, the sky, and the animals with new eyes—seeing God’s fingerprints in creation and feeling peace in his presence.
Many children internalize guilt and blame themselves for family trauma. Superbook helped Joy realize that she was not at fault. Instead, she discovered that her identity is found in God.
“It has given me hope, purpose, and identity, knowing that Jesus loves me and cares for me.”
A Shift in Spirit
Despite the difficult circumstances, Joy remained positive and full of joy—true to her name. She developed an unshakable hope that things would get better, even when it didn’t seem like they would. Instead of being overwhelmed by fear and sadness, she held onto the truth that God was in control and had a plan for her life.
She became more resilient, choosing to focus on the good rather than the bad. Her attitude began to influence those around her, and she became a source of encouragement in her home. She also started expressing gratitude more often, thanking God for the small blessings in each day.
“After watching Superbook, I started being more mindful of how I treat others. I realized that even though I was going through something difficult, I could still choose to be kind, respectful, and loving to the people around me.”
Joy’s behavior began to reflect the lessons she learned from Superbook. She became more grounded and secure in who she is. The biblical principles she absorbed helped her build a firm foundation in faith. She learned to respect others, honor her parents, and trust in God’s promises.
After watching the episode “In the Beginning,” Joy explained, “I learned how important it is to do the right thing and to follow God’s ways. I understood that honoring and respecting my parents is something God wants me to do, even when things are hard.” Joy found instruction and encouragement in the words from Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” She shared, “This gave me hope that God has good plans for my life, no matter what I am going through.”
A New Identity in Christ
Before watching Superbook, Joy felt sad and scared about her parents’ divorce. It was a confusing and painful time, and she didn’t understand why everything was happening the way it was. But through Superbook, she found clarity, comfort, and courage.
She learned that her life has meaning, that she is not alone, and that Jesus loves her deeply. She now walks with a sense of purpose, knowing that she is a child of God.
“Superbook helped me see that my life has meaning and that I am not alone. No matter what happens in my family, I know that Jesus loves me and is always with me.”
Joy’s story is a powerful reminder of how God can use even the simplest tools—like an animated Bible series—to bring healing, hope, and transformation. In a world where many children face emotional trauma and uncertainty, Superbook is helping them discover their true identity in Christ.
Join the Mission
You can help bring this same hope to more children like Joy. You can share Joy’s story to inspire others, explore Superbook resources for your own family or church at Superbook.CBN.com, and donate to CBN Animation’s Superbook ministry through the link below to help support and expand Superbook’s global outreach.
Together, we can help children discover the love of Jesus—one episode, one heart, one life at a time.
About The Author
