Dear Counselor:
Hi! I just found your website thru other WDers...I must say I have been stunned by all the back lash of WD and Gwen. Its like being hit with the tail of a dragon swinging by you......My eyes well up with tears knowing that I've spent the last 2 1/2 years of my life involved in this program....yes I did loose weight...I lost 70 but have gained back 20 which is even more heart breaking for me. I trusted this lady and her teachings. Its funny, but about a year ago my other questioned whether this was a cult and in my spirit in knew when her teachings of the Trinity came out that something terribly wrong was happening. Well, I now have 35 pounds to lose and I don't know what to do anymore. I feel so hurt and let down...Do you have any suggestions. God Bless you for your web site and help!
Love in Christ

Dear Friend:
I am sure that this is quite a hardship for you. I have a number of articles that you might find helpful during this time... on grief and loss recovery, about cults and the Weigh Down controversy. Certainly, you need to give yourself time to recover from this painful experience ... time to let Christ renew and comfort your mind and heart. Healing and spiritual renewal will come. But, as a human being you need to take steps to work it through and process it.
Maybe the following will help you sort this out:
Ask yourself:
... How has this experience affected me?
... How have I been seeking God in all of this?
... What needs to change to give me hope and healing?
... What steps can I take to work towards healing in Christ?
... How can I better seek Christian support?
... What is God trying to teach me through this experience?
By working on these questions you can plan some realistic goals. Of course the most important part will be regular periods of time spent praying to the Lord and studying the Bible... learning to properly interpret scripture by using good hermeneutics for accurate biblical interpretation (see hermeneutic principles below).
Secondly, spend time with solid Christians in a solid evangelical church (check out their statement of faith). Hebrews 10:25 reads: Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (NIV) So, fellowship and hearing the preaching of the Word of God will encourage you during this time.
Thirdly, take care of yourself in other areas of your life... such as proper nutrition and exercise. Maybe focusing on the Lord and taking good care of yourself is ok for now.
It might be wise to wait and investigate other weight management/loss programs before taking on that task while you still need spiritual and emotional healing. It's ok to work through the hurt you feel.
Also, you mentioned how you trusted this lady and her teachings... I think you will find that you can read begin to work this issue of rebuilding trust in this article . Your experience of broken trust with Gwen will affect your ability to trust others and maybe even God.
First of all, you need to become a Berean who is able to discern whether a teaching is scriptural or contradictory to biblical doctrine. Then, keep some of the following principles in mind as you work through this issue of broken trust.
Here is a quote:
"First I want to emphasize that trust begins and ends with God. The next fact is that trusting another person has to have a certain expectation of failure and thus be combined with a willingness to forgive.
Another point is that you don’t put in a quarter and out drops a can of trust- trust grows over time. People are complex, broken beings therefore, previous hurts, fears or losses can impede their determination to trust and/or be truthful in a relationship. But, people have the capacity to grow in trust and truthfulness. You and God can help build trust into your relationships.
Heb. 12:1-2 talks about how we need to "fix our eyes on Jesus the Author and perfecter of our faith".
Faith comes from God. Our faith is in God. God is the only One who is truly faithful. He is the giver of faith and the object of faith. Because of those facts, we need a new understanding of what it means to trust people.
Adjust your expectations: People are human, frail, and sinful. Therefore, you need a realistic type of trust when you choose to trust someone again. Other steps: Trusting is a growth process in relationships. God can help you forgive and trust again."
I hope that you are in a support group of ex-WDWers.. if not, let me know and I can refer you to one. God bless you! Lynette Hoy, NCC, LCPC

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Consider Jesus....when people and relationships disillusion you ...
Who proclaims.... “You are my friends if you do what I command.  I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:14-15

Consider Jesus....When responsibilities and challenges trouble you 
Who declares.."I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."  John 16:33 (NIV)

Consider Jesus when your prayers are unanswered....
Who says....”You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” John 14:14

Consider Jesus... When the one you loved  leaves or dies... 
Who promises...."Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." and "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.""and "I give you eternal life, and you shall never perish; no one can snatch you out of my hand."  Heb 13:5,  Matt 28:20, John 10:28

Consider Jesus ... When you face changes in your life and you don’t know which way to go.. 
Who assures you that  “I am the good shepherd.”  and  “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” 
"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--" John 10:11, 27; 14:16

Consider Jesus when....you don’t know who you can trust anymore.. 
Who says.... "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” John 14:1

Consider Jesus when...you are anxious about your life...
Who declares “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

Consider Jesus when guilt overwhelms you...
Who proclaims.. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” and "Friend, your sins are forgiven."  Matt 26:28,  Luke 5:20

Consider Jesus when you sense an emptiness inside ....
Who says.... "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35

Consider Jesus when you feel rejected and unworthy.....
Who promises.. "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” John 15:9 

Consider Jesus when you are confused about which religion to believe... Who declares..."I am the way the Truth and the life.  No man comes to the Father but by me."  John 14:6

Consider Jesus when you wonder what eternity holds for you after you die....
Who pronounces... "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies” and "Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live." John 11:25, John 14:19  (NIV) 

Consider more about who Jesus is by reading the following: 
What a Christian Believes; An Easy to Read Guide to Understanding  by Pastor Ray Pritchard.  or the articles on Faith 101 and  Response to a Skeptic .
Other books I recommend are: (you can order them now or check out our resources page for more selections about topics on faith):
Answers to Tough Questions Skeptics Ask about the Christian Faith by Josh McDowell and Don Stewart or Reasons by Josh McDowell and Don Stewart or How You Can be Sure You will Spend Eternity with God by Erwin Lutzer. 
Read this Book Review of Mere Christianity

Write to me with your questions at http://www.counselcareconnection.org/services.asp. 
Praying for you.   Lynette Hoy, NCC, LCPC