No Longer Cinderella: Release your lies, Rediscover your true identity, and Redefine your life

By Dana Lyons

Do you believe hope, healing and change is possible for your life? 

When life hits hard, it can hurt. Doubt, disappointment, and disbelief can overwhelm us. 

Discouragement and the lies of the enemy tell us that o

• Language: English
• Publisher: Author Academy Elite
• Release date: Sep 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9781647468972

Dana Lyons

DANA LYONS is an author, speaker and coach. In 2005 she founded Broken But Not Alone, a thriving women's ministry in Salem, OR where she lives with her family. Her heart is to see individuals and families healed, set free and restored.

Book preview

ENDORSEMENTS

"Everyone longs to live life free, transformed, and fully alive! In No Longer Cinderella, Dana Lyons takes the reader on a journey learning to do just that. Through sharing her own life experiences, the Cinderella story, and the Word of God, Lyons will empower you to take steps towards your own freedom, discover who you are through God’s eyes, restore hope, and dream again."

Kary Oberbrunner, author of Your Secret Name, The Deeper Path, Day Job to Dream Job,

and Elixir Project.

"No Longer Cinderella is a book/workbook combination that can help you take steps forward in your faith and transform your thoughts. Learning more about who God is and what He says about you is life changing. Dana shows you how to apply that to your life in practical ways and begin a life long journey of discovery. Walking with God can be an exciting journey if we are open to seek Him and listen to what He is sharing with us. This book teaches you about having a personal relationship with God and how the more you learn about Him the more you discover about yourself."

Lisa Moser, Author/Coach/Speaker

www.LisaMoser.com

"Anchored by her powerful story of transformation Dana Lyons invites you into her journey, and practically joins you for yours in this transparent, and life-giving book. Her heart to see people move forward in their journey of faith and relationship with Jesus is evident on each and every page. I trust that many will find the hope and encouragement to head toward healing and restoration, as they read No Longer Cinderella."

Samuel Wilson, Lead Pastor,

Calvary Chapel Community Church

Dana offers an honest and eloquent lesson of self-discovery while learning how to build a deeper connection with our Creator. Get ready to become educated and inspired by this moving masterpiece.

Dana Sacia, Business Owner

This book is compelling on so many levels. The raw honesty Dana shows as she tells her story is so encouraging. By making herself vulnerable she gives the reader permission to do so as well. She also lets the reader know that this is a lifelong process that we walk through with our Lord. Over and over again she emphasizes our personal relationship with our Father in Heaven. I so appreciate her humility in writing this book.

Stephanie Hogan, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Dana’s words bring hope and healing through encouraging stories of redemption in her own life and practical questions and reflection to push the reader into her personal healing work. Life can be filled with hard circumstances but we don’t have to accept the role of victim. Dana shares compassion and tenderness towards the pain life can bring while sharing a narrative that doesn’t allow one to accept and be stuck in that place. This is a must read gem sharing a pathway toward wholeness for the soul.

Jennifer L. Bridges, Founder and Executive Director

for Embrace Compassion

"Tired of feeling powerless, trapped, constantly disappointed and victim to everyone and everything? Dana’s writing will compel anyone that you have power within, regardless of your past or present circumstances, to RISE to freedom and abundance without anyone else participating. No longer are you a slave. Rather, she unlocks the door, gives you permission, and step-by-step walks you through your pain to the most amazing place of power and freedom...NOW."

Sarah Haugland, Worship and Women’s Ministry Leader

When I began reading, I thought Dana had written about my life. She has a way of connecting directly to your heart and soul with truth, love and compassion. Her love for God ignites your heart on fire!

Mary Louise Abney, San Antonio, Texas

"Dana Lyons inspires us through her book No Longer Cinderella to believe and follow the God who desires to transform us into His image. She has a heart for us to look more deeply into our relationship with the Lord and to understand His plans and purposes for our everyday lives. She is passionate about helping us know the depths of God’s unfailing love, unending joy, and eternal hope. No Longer Cinderella challenges us to venture more deeply into the Word of God and to seek the Truth that sets us free from the bondage and slavery of this world. He is the one and only true lover of our souls. I pray you enjoy the exciting journey of discovering who you are in Christ through Dana’s book!"

Jordi Jones, Women’s Ministry Director,

Calvary Chapel Worship Center-Hillsboro

Sometimes the realities of life can be so cruel that they cause us to be deeply depressed and without hope for the future. This depression, if not treated, can cause serious physical and mental conditions. We don’t have to be the victim. Dana Lyons, shares her journey from the deepest and darkest pits into the loving, forgiving and caring arms of Jesus. This book will not only inspire you on your journey with Jesus but strengthen your relationship with him and your faith in a God that loves us unconditionally. You will be blessed when you read this book and realize that there is hope in Jesus and beauty from ashes.

Anne S. Kiehle, Ph.D.,

Retired Supt of Schools for Fort Sam Houston ISD Former Director of Care & Growth for Oak Hills Church

Member of the San Antonio Christian Leadership Forum

NO LONGER CINDERELLA

Discover and Embrace Who You Are through God’s Eyes

DANA LYONS

Copyright © 2019 Dana Lyons

All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, The Life Recovery Bible NLT, copyright ©__1996__ by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked TPT are from The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017, 2018 by Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ThePassionTranslation.com.

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® NIV®

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society®

Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Printed in the United States of America

Published by Author Academy Elite

P.O. Box 43, Powell, OH, 43035

www.AuthorAcademyElite.com

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Paperback ISBN- 978-1-64085-409-3

Hardcover ISBN- 978-1-64085-410-9

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018954564

DEDICATION

Thank you Jesus. I love you so. To You be the glory.

May this book make You smile, and bring hope, healing and freedom to many.

CONTENTS

Dedication

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter 1: Hope and Dream Again

Chapter 2: Make Believe and Expectations

Chapter 3: No Longer Hopeless

Chapter 4: No Longer a Prisoner

Chapter 5: No Longer a Victim

Chapter 6: No Longer Trapped

Chapter 7: No Longer Just Surviving

Chapter 8: No Longer Who Others Say I Am

Chapter 9: No Longer Hidden

Chapter 10: No Longer Afraid

Chapter 11: No Longer a Slave

Chapter 12: No Longer Rejected

Chapter 13: No Longer Insignificant

Chapter 14: The One Who Changed My Story

Chapter 15: The Transformer

Chapter 16: No Longer an Orphan

Chapter 17: Who Are You?

Chapter 18: Happily Ever Forever

Acknowledgements

About The Author

Endnotes

FOREWORD

There are three things that I think you will experience from reading and journeying through No Longer Cinderella.

Connection, healing, and hope.

I love Dana’s realness and courage to share her heart. Her story is one that I believe so many of us can relate to on a personal level. We all have childhood issues, listen to the critical voices in our head, and tend to be our own worst enemy. As young girls we look forward to the fairytale life portrayed in Cinderella, only to grow up and feel like a slave to the system, like our Prince Charming is anything but charming, and like we’re never going to be good enough.

This book sheds a new light on the real love story that each of us should seek after: that of our relationship between our self and our God. When we can truly come to know and believe Him and how He feels about us, we can truly learn to fly! Dana gives us the keys to know how to do just that and experience our own transformation. Like a good friend, she’ll point you to truth in every chapter, which is what we all need to heal. Dana also will encourage you to dream and believe for a hope-filled future.

This book is a must read for any God-fearing woman that needs a dose of self-love and desires to feel accepted.

Enjoy the journey you are about to embark on.

Nichole Clark, author of The 10-Minute Refresh for Moms, and founder of More Than Moms

INTRODUCTION

Way too often, instead of living a life filled with faith, hope, and dreams fulfilled we settle into a life full of discouragement, defeat, and despair. We live life in robot mode going through the motions believing that life is wonderful for everyone but us. I was there. This is my story. I’m not here to tell you I’ve done it all right, made all the right decisions, and have all the answers. I didn’t. I did, however, make many poor decisions, hurt a lot of people, and messed up more times than I can count. I am here to encourage and tell you that your life can change starting right now. The things I swore I would never do, I did. Shame, embarrassment, and fear consumed me and kept me bound for many years, but I am here today to tell you—your life matters, and you will not only dream again, but you will also fly!

I mean this book to encourage and build you up on your journey of faith. I’ve read many books and completed a ton of workbooks. The ones I like best are those combined into one. Have you ever joined a bible study, book study, or attended a class and decided for whatever reason not to purchase both the book and the workbook? I have, trying to save money or hoping to get what I needed from just using one. Sometimes I found that was okay, but other times it hurt me. Those who did both seemed to be the ones transforming the most. The classes where I tried to skimp and only do one or the other were the ones I seemed to grow the least. I wasn’t all in. God can do amazing things with just one, so the answer isn’t in any one book, but I always missed out on something when I only bought half the material. In every class and group I have led, there are always those who do what I have done and only buy either the book or workbook. Sometimes I didn’t want to take the time to stop reading and open the workbook to do the work. I did, however, hope to get the same results. It doesn’t work that way! My favorite option is to combine the two so you can read and do the work as you go chapter by chapter. With that said, you don’t have to answer any or all the questions if you don’t want to. I don’t recommend that, because you will miss a lot along the way. I am a full believer that those who go the deepest as they work on themselves grow the most. Healing, and breakthrough required me to go deep. I had to do this part myself. I couldn’t go around the difficult parts, or dodge the areas I didn’t want to look at, and just arrive at a transformed life. I tried. It never worked. It will be the same for you. It requires your full participation, and I promise it will be worth it.

In No Longer Cinderella, I made it a book/workbook because I want you to take steps forward in your journey of faith. To do that, you must continuously learn more about who God is, who you are, and how to apply truth into your everyday life in practical ways. I have found that three major areas helped me transform my life dramatically and quickly. I’m still doing this in my life. I encourage you to do the same.

The three questions I ask myself after I chew on the Word of God, or something He is teaching me, is:

What’s one new truth or thing I’ve learned about God?

What’s one new truth or thing I’ve learned about myself?

How can I apply what I learned to my life right now?

The reason for these three questions in each chapter is not to create busy work. Follow the Holy Spirit as He leads you to answer the questions that pertain to you in this book instead of worrying about completing every question. It’s not about the work or about memorizing scripture for the sake of knowledge or doing homework. You can complete a book or study and never really change. It’s all about your relationship with the Lord. The more you learn about Him, the more you learn and discover about yourself. The more you learn, experience, and apply the truth, the more you will know the lies and wrong ways of thinking in your own life. The purpose in asking yourself these questions is to know Him better, to grow in confidence in who you are, and to transform your life. Knowledge isn’t enough; it’s about becoming like Jesus. You can’t become like Him if you don’t know Him who is the Word of God Himself.

We were created to know Him and experience Him. You can’t do that by just attending church on Sunday and never opening the bible. Trust me, I tried. Breakthrough for me happened when I started applying what I was reading.

Jesus said, You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32, New Living Translation-The Life Recovery Bible).

Some people today choose not to do what Jesus says or don’t know transformation only happens as we do what He says. If you are one of those who have been crying out to God for help to change your life and no one has told you the change only happens as you read God’s Word and then do what it says, I am sorry. Now is no time to waste any energy blaming or getting angry with anyone. Now you know and now’s the perfect time to do differently. Many leaders don’t know this truth either. So many Christians believe God wants us to live at church and fulfill our obligation to attend church on Sundays and it’s sad because so many come, but few know Him. He longs to know you. He longs to be with you. He died to transform you. For me, it was simple steps in my daily life that brought the biggest breakthroughs. All I did was set my heart to know Him. Then I did what He said. It worked then, and it hasn’t stopped working. When I do it any other way than His way, my life gets chaotic and I lose my peace.

What I have found in my life and what I see in others as I walk alongside them in theirs is that the more a person knows who God is and who he or she is in Him, the more transformed and confident in themselves they become. The enemy of your soul doesn’t want us to learn this. You know why? You’ll stop listening to him and be free. Imagine that! Is this the life you want? The choice is ours to make. God tells us in Deuteronomy, Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, that you and your descendants might live (Deuteronomy 30:19, NLT). Jesus came to give you life in abundance (John 10:10, NLT). What is holding you back from that? As you answer these three questions along the way, I pray God reveals to you what is holding you back from the life He says He died to give you.

Last but not least, don’t stress over answering every question. If you don’t have an answer, that’s okay. Keep going. As you read and dig into God’s Word, He will highlight what you need to know and help you answer each question. He will even answer the questions on your heart that come up along the way. He is faithful and true.

He is your helper and guide, so trust Him as you journey together.

I believe in you!

1

Hope and Dream Again

What is it about the character Cinderella that you relate to the most? Is it Cinderella the princess? The one who is the most beautiful, loved, and chosen? Or do you relate to Cinderella the servant? The princess lived happily ever after, but the servant, the slave girl, was rejected, mistreated, and told she could go to the ball and be like every other girl when…

You remember that part, don’t you? Cinderella, you can go to the ball, when… ¹ The King held a ball for his son, the prince, to help him find a bride. It was open to all maidens. If you were invited and single, wouldn’t you want to go? We’d all want to be there. Cinderella’s stepmother said she could go, but never intended on really letting her go. We’ve all experienced similar situations in our lives. A person says one thing but means the opposite. I can’t say I remember my parents doing this, but I know I have done this to myself countless times. She tried to sabotage Cinderella from ever attending the ball. I sabotaged myself all the time.

Out of all the Disney characters, Cinderella is the one I relate to the most. She believes anything is possible. If she had wings, she could fly! She’s a dreamer! She had days where she danced in the grass, chased butterflies, giggled, and knew all was well.

What I like about Cinderella is her life isn’t perfect, and neither is mine. Her dad has work that takes him away for long periods, so she understands what it was like to miss loved ones, to worry, and wait. Cinderella learns patience while missing her father. You know what that’s like, don’t you? Those long periods that test your patience as you worry over the things that grip your heart with fear or wait for life to change?

Do you hope and dream someday you’ll live happily ever after, but in reality, you feel stuck? Do you have many reasons you can’t do the things you want to do? You may feel as if something is holding you back from accomplishing your dreams. Maybe life for you now seems beyond hard, and there is too much to deal with and you feel that if you could merely break free, life would get better. Does this seem like you? You can live your life when…

If that is you, then you and I have a lot in common, and I am excited that we are on this journey together, even if it is only for a little while, to connect and grow. I’m not