Furnace of Affliction
A generational curse refers to patterns or behaviors that are passed down through generations. Even if we have faith in God, we might still construct our lives on a flawed foundation. As a result, we may experience a sense of spiritual weakness, feeling like a leaky vessel—everything God fills us with seems to escape. When life’s storms occur, our relationships with others and our devotion to God can be profoundly challenged or even shattered.
My testimony is full of sorrow, and unless you’ve gone through a similar situation, it can be difficult to comprehend. I hope that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, finds you wherever you are. May you come to know and experience the fullness of His abundant love.
Testimony of DeAnn Daniels
My grandmother, Margaret Cross, had Native American ancestry, which made up three-quarters of her background. As the youngest of her siblings, she faced a challenging childhood, especially after losing her mother when she was just an infant. Her father, Phillip Cross, was a devout man who created a small colony during the Great Depression to offer refuge and support to families in need. My Daddy-Ollie often expressed great respect for Phillip, calling him the only truly faithful Christian he had ever known. I’m unsure what led my grandfather to form such negative opinions about believers, but he had little time or patience for those who professed to be Christians.
Growing up, my grandmother endured the harsh realities of a cruel system designed to break the spirit of Native American populations. Native American children, including her, were forcibly sent to state-sanctioned boarding schools known for their mistreatment of Indigenous children. Though my Nannie seldom spoke of her past, she once opened up to me before she passed away, sharing fragments of her horrific experience. Her voice dropped low as she recounted her memories, revealing her lingering distress and humiliation. The atmosphere at the school was incredibly oppressive, ruled by fear, and children felt profoundly lonely and isolated from their families and unable to express their cultural identities. Failing to comply with school regulations often meant being sent to the basement, where sick Native American children tragically and frequently perished from their illnesses in isolation. Despite her heritage, I never heard my grandmother speak her native language. Her silence spoke volumes about the pain and loss she and many others endured.
Gussy, my great-grandmother, initially benefited from her family’s wealth and enjoyed a privileged life. However, when she unexpectedly became pregnant with my grandfather, Oliver, her circumstances drastically changed. She became an embarrassment to her family and was ostracized, leading to financial instability at a young age. With her unyielding personality, Gustavia Elisha expected her young son to support her. This demand began when Oliver was only five, thrusting him into an adult role far too soon. Gussy would have him break into wealthier homes to steal from the families while they were away. Eventually, she married and had another son, but our families were never close. I came to believe that the other family looked down on us, possibly because of Oliver’s drinking or our Native American heritage. My aunts and uncles often went hungry, while Ollie’s family offered no help.
