Sheryl Griffin was awakened at 12:30 a.m. on January 27, 2007 by wave after wave of intense nausea, accompanied by body-wracking hot flashes, shortness of breath and her heart trying to pound its way out of her chest."Call 9-1-1," she managed to whisper to her husband, Doug. "I think I'm dying."After multiple additional episodes and countless hours of medical examinations, tests and consultations, Sheryl discovered she was suffering from panic attacks brought on by Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome.This revelation set her on a course of self-discovery, to uncover the roots of the anxiety that was suddenly manifesting itself with such mind-numbing intensity. She wanted to get better, and pursued her recovery with a passion. Little did she know that her healing would require her to pull every scrap of her personal history out from under the rug, to face all of the guilt and fear that had been tightening around her neck like a scarlet noose of shame since troubled childhood."God allowed this door to open," she confesses. "It wasn't something I would have chosen on my own. It was hard and emotionally draining. I learned there are no quick fixes. God might choose to heal miraculously, but He can also choose to use doctors and medication. Either way is appropriate and Biblical. I started off with a scarlet cord of guilt, shame and fear. Today, that same cord represents God's redeeming love, abundant grace and unending forgiveness. The very thing that God spoke to me during my darkest days is the same thing He offers to you:"There is always Hope!" Sheryl Griffin's mission is to share hope. In 2007, Sheryl suffered a severe panic attack, which led to the diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder, along with panic and anxiety. This led her on a quest to find answers to the many questions she had regarding her past, her choices, and things that happened to her. She slowly began to recognize patterns in her life:1. Always taking responsibility for others choices and behaviors.2. Putting things under the rug-never confronting.3. Ignoring red flags in relationships.She began to journal at her doctor's request, and she soon realized God had a much bigger plan than simply helping her find the answers to the questions she sought. It is a plan that she never dreamed of, but it has become a purpose and passion in her heart. The purpose is clear: to share the message of hope and all that comes with it; grace, mercy, freedom, and forgiveness.Sheryl tells her story at retreats and conferences at women's and family events to large and small groups. Her book, A Scarlet Cord of Hope, chronicles her journey and serves as an encouragement to others struggling with depression, stress, anxiety, and guilt. Through her own testimony, Sheryl helps others break free from shame and fear through the love of Christ and a biblical perspective.Sheryl has extensive experience and training in Early Childhood Education and has had opportunities to nurture and teach children for over twenty years, and she has also been actively involved in children, youth, and women's ministry.Originally hailing from Northern California, Sheryl now lives in Tennessee with her husband Doug whom she has been married to since May 1996. They have two children. You may have heard about Sheryl on Doug's Nationally Syndicated Family Friendly Morning Show: Doug and Jaci Velasquez.
