Blind to Hope: From Isolation to Authorship

When Laura Worosher graduated from Cedarville University in 2007, she wondered where God was leading her life. She never envisioned writing a book that was influenced?by her journey through isolation and depression.??

In her recently released book, “Blind to Hope ,” Worosher shares the wisdom and encouragement that brought her through the most difficult parts of her life. Inspired by biblical truth and the value of a God-centered community, Worosher wants her story to be a source of hope for women who might be on a similar journey.??

When Worosher graduated Cedarville with a degree in communication, her goal was to work as a television news anchor. However, outside circumstances, including her marriage and a move to Houston because of her husband’s job, turned her world upside down.??

“This was a big transition for me. I went from being surrounded by family and friends and feeling very confident in my path to living in a new place thousands of miles away with no community,” said Worosher. “I went from what I thought was my best life to being a new wife in a place where nobody saw me, nobody remembered me?and nobody knew what I was going through. I felt so isolated.”??

In the midst of this isolation,?Worosher?rediscovered the biblical story of Bartimaeus found in Matthew 10. This story chronicles a beggar who cries out to Jesus despite being shamed and silenced by the crowd around him. This story was a spark of hope that while others might not see her, God always would.?

This spark was only half of her triumph.??

The other igniting point came when an acquaintance consistently invited?Worosher to attend a women’s Bible study?in order to prevent Worosher from closing herself off from others. When she attended, the acquaintance refused to let her sit in isolation.??

While Worosher attended grudgingly, she was astounded by the authenticity of the group. It was there that her life took on added meaning. She saw the transformative vulnerability of this community, where dozens of women shared their struggles, their pains and their prayer requests with one another.?

It was the first time in a long time that she had?felt heard and seen. It was an oasis from the desert.?

“Bartimaeus was physically blind, but so many of us walk around spiritually and emotionally blind,” said Worosher. “We struggle to process or comprehend when we struggle alone, and as I found from this community, God cared about my struggles, and I could be seen and loved in my struggles.”?

Worosher’s journey was a continual fight against the lie that she was alone and unseen. As the support of her newfound community continued to push her forward, Worosher found a surprising solidarity through sharing her?struggles that also allowed others to feel seen.?

“I started to wonder if there was something in my story that could help others feel understood, and if there was, maybe my own fear was preventing me from sharing it,” said Worosher.?

Once Worosher turned her story into a manuscript and began searching for a publisher, a surprising connection brought her back to Cedarville University. A coworker led her to Igniting Souls, an independent publishing company founded by Dr. Kary Oberbrunner , who also serves as the Berry Chair of Entrepreneurship at Cedarville University.?

“Over the past 10 years,?we've published more than 1100 authors, and each story is important to us,” said Oberbrunner. “From the moment our team met Laura, we knew this was an extra special book written by a woman with an intense passion to bring hope and healing to a world in need. The shared connection to Cedarville and mutual vision with Igniting Souls made this collaboration a perfect match.”?

Publishing through Igniting Souls and Oberbrunner led Worosher back to Cedarville, where she took her first career steps — a fitting culmination to a journey of personal development. As her journey brought her back to where it all started, Worosher acknowledged that God’s hand has been present in every step of her life; she remains adamant that this book belongs to Him and not her.?

“This book had to be written in a way that my readers don’t think of me when they read it, but think of God,” said Worosher. “This is His story every step of the way, and my prayer is that what I have learned and experienced can point others to the God who sees them.”?

“Blind to Hope” ?was released?November 12.?

Cedarville University , a Baptist institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio's largest private universities and is recognized by the Wall Street Journal as being among the nation’s top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics, and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at?cedarville.edu .?

Written by Benjamin Konuch , Student Public Relations Writer