You Raise Me Up: A Message of Strength and Empowerment for Moms Who Are Survivors

Aug 17, 2025

Dear Moms,

If you’ve ever felt like you were walking through life carrying more than your fair share—feeling like you were weighed down, exhausted, or even invisible—I want to remind you of something powerful: You are not alone, and you are being raised up, even when you don’t see it.

There’s a beautiful song called “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban that speaks of being lifted, held up, and finding strength in the support of others. As a mom and survivor, you might not always feel like you have the strength to keep moving forward. But, I want you to know that you have been raised up—not only by the love and resilience within you but by the people who care, and even the faith that sustains you. There is something in you that can withstand this. And when you feel broken or at the lowest point, the strength to rise is still within you.

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Reflecting on “You Raise Me Up”

Let’s take a deeper look at the lyrics and reflect on how they apply to your life as a mom and a survivor. Here are some prompts to help guide you on how you can find strength and empowerment in moments of vulnerability:

1. When I am down and, oh, my soul, so weary...

The song begins with the feeling of being overwhelmed and exhausted. As a mom and survivor, there may have been days when you felt like you couldn’t keep going, or when you felt weighed down by the trauma you’ve experienced.

Reflection Prompt:

Can you remember a time when you felt completely drained and overwhelmed, and yet, you made it through?

What helped you push through those moments? Was it your love for your children, your inner strength, or something else?

2. When troubles come and my heart burdened be...

In the second line, the song speaks of carrying a heavy heart. For moms who have survived sexual assault, the weight of both trauma and motherhood can sometimes feel unbearable. But even in the midst of these burdens, you are still standing, still moving forward.

Reflection Prompt:

How do you find ways to manage the weight of your past while continuing to care for your children?

What are the things that help ease your burdens? Is it taking a break, talking to someone, or finding comfort in quiet moments?

3. You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains...

This is the chorus of the song, a reminder that even when we feel weak, we have the strength to rise. As a mom and survivor, you may not always feel "strong" in the conventional sense. But the fact that you are here, continuing to care for your family, shows immense strength.

Reflection Prompt:

In what ways have you been “raised up” throughout your journey?

Can you see how the love you have for your children, or the strength you’ve gained from your experiences, has helped you rise above challenges?

4. You raise me up to walk on stormy seas...

This line speaks to walking through difficult circumstances, yet still standing firm. Your journey as a survivor hasn’t been easy, and as a mom, there are many challenges you face daily. But through it all, you’ve found a way to stay afloat, and your resilience has carried you through.

Reflection Prompt:

When you think about your past challenges, how have you found strength in the storm?

What has kept you grounded when life felt uncertain? Can you recognize the courage within you?

5. I am strong, when I am on your shoulders...

This line speaks to the power of support—knowing that we are stronger when we are not alone. For you, this may mean recognizing the people, whether friends, family, or even your faith, who have helped carry you through tough times. You are not doing this alone, and that support has made you stronger.

Reflection Prompt:

Who in your life has been your strength? Who has “lifted” you when you felt down?

How can you open yourself up to receive more support, even in small ways, to help you carry the weight of being both a survivor and a mom?

6. You raise me up, to more than I can be...

This final line speaks to the transformation that happens when we are given the support we need. You are stronger, more resilient, and more capable than you realize. You are a survivor, and you are more than your trauma.

Reflection Prompt:

How have you changed over the course of your healing journey?

How have you become a stronger mom, a stronger person, despite the challenges you’ve faced?

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A Prayer for Strength and Empowerment

Dear Lord,

I pray for every mom reading this today. I pray that You continue to raise them up, especially in the moments when they feel weak, burdened, or lost. May they find strength in the love they have for their children, in the resilience they’ve built, and in the support that surrounds them. Help them to see how much they have grown, and how much more they are capable of.

Amen.

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Embracing Your Strength

Moms, you are incredible. You have faced hardships, you’ve been through struggles, and you’ve still managed to rise above it all. Remember that you are never walking this journey alone. There is strength within you, and there are people around you who want to lift you up.

As you continue on this path of healing, know that you are loved, you are strong, and you are more than capable of standing tall, even when life feels stormy. Every day you rise up is a testament to your strength, and you are

teaching your children the power of resilience, love, and the ability to overcome anything.

Kathe'rine