Heartache & Glory
Heartache & Glory in Advocating for Survivors
There is a tension at the heart of advocacy—one we don’t always talk about.
It’s the tension between heartache and glory.
To step into the work of advocating for women and children impacted by trafficking is to step into stories that are often heavy, complex, and deeply personal. And yet, in those very places, we also encounter moments of transformation, resilience, and hope that can only be described as beautiful.
In this week’s podcast episode, Tracy Daugherty sits down with Freedom Sister Wheeler Fisher, who shares from nearly a decade of walking alongside survivors. Her story offers an honest glimpse into what it looks like to stay present in the hard places—and why it matters.
When Awareness Becomes Personal
Wheeler first became aware of trafficking as a young woman, but like many of us, it initially felt distant—something happening “somewhere else.”
That changed when she began studying trauma and was introduced to real stories of survivors in her own community. What once felt far away suddenly became close, personal, and impossible to ignore.
Her heart was stirred—not because she had solutions, but because she was willing to see.
And that willingness led her to say yes.
The Power of Simply Showing Up
Early in her journey, Wheeler stepped into spaces that were messy, unpredictable, and at times overwhelming.
She wasn’t there to fix everything.
She showed up to serve—to help meet practical needs, to listen, to walk alongside women as they navigated the next step in their journey.
And over time, she discovered something powerful:
Often, the most meaningful thing we can offer is our presence.
In a world that values efficiency and quick solutions, this kind of presence can feel counterintuitive. But healing doesn’t follow a neat formula. It’s layered, nonlinear, and deeply human.
Sometimes, progress looks like:
Taking a step forward—and then several steps back
Learning to trust again
Simply resting, eating, or feeling safe
These are not small victories. They are sacred ones.
Holding Both Grief and Hope
One of the hardest realities of this work is the sheer scale of need.
There are far more women needing care than there are resources available to serve them. That gap can feel overwhelming.
Wheeler shares honestly about the moments of grief:
Listening to difficult stories
Walking with women through relapse or loss
Facing limitations in what programs can provide
And yet, even in the midst of that, she holds onto a simple but profound truth:
The one matters.
Like the story of a child returning starfish to the ocean, the impact may feel small in the face of great need—but to that one, it changes everything.
This perspective transforms the work from overwhelming to meaningful:
One conversation
One moment of dignity
One woman taking a step toward healing
Each one carries eternal value.
Witnessing Transformation
Perhaps one of the most beautiful parts of advocacy is witnessing transformation over time.
Wheeler describes women entering programs at their lowest—exhausted, guarded, and unsure of what comes next.
And then, slowly, something begins to shift.
A lifted head.
Eye contact.
A sense of safety.
A growing belief that healing is possible.
Over time, some women return—not as recipients of care, but as volunteers, staff members, and advocates themselves.
Their stories become part of someone else’s beginning.
It is here, in these moments, that the glory shines through.
Staying Tender in a Hard World
If you’ve ever engaged with issues like trafficking, you know how easy it is to feel overwhelmed—or to become numb.
So how do we stay tender?
Wheeler offers practical, grounded wisdom:
Lean into rhythms of normal life — simple routines that bring stability and peace
Move your body — walking, exercising, and being outdoors helps process what the heart carries
Stay in community — surround yourself with people who refresh and encourage you
Make space to just be — not always needed, not always giving, but simply present
Pray continually — because this work is deeply spiritual, and we are not meant to carry it alone
These practices aren’t extras—they are essential for sustaining a life of compassionate action.
You Don’t Have to Do Everything
It can be easy to think: If I can’t fix the problem, what difference can I make?
But this conversation reminds us:
You are not called to do everything.
You are called to be faithful in what is in front of you.
Advocacy doesn’t begin with having all the answers.
It begins with:
Awareness
Willingness
Courage to move toward, not away
And when we take that step, we find that even small acts—when done in love—become part of a much greater story.
An Invitation to Take Your Next Step
At Freedom Challenge, we believe that every woman has a role to play.
Whether that looks like:
Praying for survivors and frontline workers
Giving to support prevention, rescue, and restoration
Participating in a Challenge or My Challenge
Raising awareness in your own circles
You are invited into this work.
Not to carry the weight of the whole world—but to step into the story God is writing through you.
Because when we come together—
in heartache and in glory—
we become part of restoring what has been broken.
✨ Listen or watch to the full conversation on the podcast and be encouraged to take one faithful step forward.