Nanci Lamborn Inspires Readers With Stories of Healing, Redemption, and Forgiveness

The Power of Forgiveness and Redemption

Nanci Lamborn shares her journey of healing and faith, revealing the inspiration behind Crazy Has A Name and Angry Daughter, and offering wisdom on trauma, forgiveness, and personal transformation.

Nanci Lamborn is a remarkable storyteller and a compassionate healer whose words transcend mere pages, touching hearts and transforming lives. As an ordained Minister and licensed Chaplain, she has dedicated her life to guiding others through the complexities of trauma and emotional healing. Her powerful works, Angry Daughter: A Journey from Hatred to Love and Crazy Has A Name: A Novel Inspired by True Events, are not just books—they are lifelines for those who seek freedom from the chains of the past.

With a unique blend of personal experience and biblical wisdom, Lamborn offers more than just narratives; she provides pathways to healing. Her ability to weave deeply personal struggles into compelling storytelling is nothing short of extraordinary. In Crazy Has A Name, she brings to life the harrowing yet redemptive journey of a man fractured by trauma, illuminating the boundless possibilities of restoration. Meanwhile, Angry Daughter is an unflinchingly honest exploration of family dynamics, pain, and the radical power of forgiveness.

Lamborn’s work is a testament to resilience and faith, resonating with readers who have walked through darkness and long for light. In this exclusive interview, she opens up about her inspirations, her healing ministry, and the transformative power of her stories. Her insights serve as a beacon of hope for those seeking to move beyond pain and into a life of grace and renewal.

Join us as we delve into the heart of Nanci Lamborn’s journey—a journey of truth, courage, and unwavering faith.

Nanci Lamborn’s writing is a beacon of hope, courageously blending faith and experience to guide readers toward healing and profound transformation.

What inspired you to write “Crazy Has A Name” and share such a personal and painful journey?  

I witnessed the redemptive part of this story firsthand. After hearing of this man’s horribly traumatic childhood, seeing the dissociation and fracturing of his mind that followed, and then seeing his miraculous healing, I knew it had to be told. Too many people still believe that healing of this kind of disorder is never possible.

How did your experiences as an ordained minister shape the way you approach the themes of trauma and healing in your books?

Ministering to the broken includes uncovering ugly truth about a traumatic past. As a culture, we still tend to sweep these stories under the rug, and what we won’t reveal, we cannot heal. I’ve also discovered that theological misunderstandings about biblical healing can prevent someone from receiving their own freedom, so I’ve woven the scriptural arguments into the storyline. I believe it was a key to this miracle and to other miracles I have seen firsthand.

“What we won’t reveal, we cannot heal.” – Nanci Lamborn

Can you describe the process of blending your own life experiences with fiction in “Crazy Has A Name”?

My real-life role in this “based on a true story” novel is that of the ministering counselor (named Marti in the novel) who walks the main character (Danny) through forgiveness and healing prayer. Having personally ministered one-on-one to well over 2,500 individuals and seeing multiple kinds of healings, I simply drew from memory. While some very minor elements of the novel are purely fictitious, most of the story happened exactly as portrayed.

In “Angry Daughter,” you tackle difficult family dynamics and forgiveness. What do you hope readers will take away from your story?

I hope readers can realize how it truly is possible to forgive the unforgivable as I did, and to walk in the surprising freedom that comes as a result. I also desire for this story to provide a glimmer of hope to women who see the relationship with their mom as hopeless. Personal peace and contentment do not have to be contingent upon whether or not my relationship with my mother is mutually healthy.

How has writing about your experiences with abuse and healing impacted your personal journey?

Having survived both childhood abuse and adult domestic violence, writing these stories have continued to grow my gratitude for the freedom I’ve experienced and to rejoice in how far I have come. As I reread my own stories, it also reminds me to continue to give myself grace and patience, and I can now make space for compassion and pity toward those who harmed me.

What advice would you give to someone who is struggling with forgiveness or healing from trauma, especially within family relationships?

My advice is to understand that forgiveness isn’t a feeling; it’s a decision made as an act of the will regardless of feelings. Emotions are healthy, and they must be addressed, acknowledged, validated, and then taken to Jesus the healer for healing. But we will never be free of an offender if we don’t forgive. Also, forgiveness does not always mean reconciliation or relationship, even within immediate family sometimes. We cannot take responsibility for someone else’s part in a relationship; both parties must have a vested interest in building a mutually honoring relationship, and we can never force someone else into health. Forgiveness doesn’t negate the need for healthy boundaries. Forgiveness also never condones or dismisses what happened; it’s the decision to leave it in the hands of a loving God of justice.

“Forgiveness isn’t a feeling; it’s a decision made as an act of the will regardless of feelings.” – Nanci Lamborn

What tips do you have for aspiring authors who want to write about personal or sensitive topics while maintaining their emotional well-being?

Carefully consider your heart motive for writing. Many stories are told with an underlying need for vengeance, to expose or humiliate or force others to see our version of the truth, with no consideration for honor or grace. My story does contain hard facts of my past, but overall it’s redemptive, not punitive or vengeful. I left out things that would have heaped more offense toward my abusers, but those facts weren’t necessary to the message of healing. I also highly encourage utilizing critique groups as well as beta readers (if those betas are in the family and it’s safe to share, even better). Allow readers to speak into the overall message and whether the tone and intention are done in love or in spite. Also, while writing our own story can be cathartic, it will never take the place of qualified Christian counseling, therapy, or deep level inner healing work.