BGEA: How can I overcome the effects of the abuse I suffered as a child?

How can I overcome the effects of the abuse I suffered as a child?

Abuse is one of the most traumatic and frightening experiences that can happen to a child. Yet God can provide a healing of memories and the power to overcome and live victoriously in His grace.

If you have received Christ as your Savior, you can put this heavy burden on the Lord Jesus' shoulders (1 Peter 5:7). If you have never taken this all-important step, we urge you to make your commitment to God by confessing your sins, repenting, and inviting Jesus to come into your life and be your Savior. When you do this, you become a member of God's own family (see John 1:12).

When we commit our hearts and lives to the Lord, He promises to bring good out of evil. Romans 8:28 says: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." We who know the Lord are still learning that God can take everything that comes into our lives, no matter how tragic, and turn it to His glory and to our good. When we totally commit our lives to Him, He does just that.

It is not unusual for victims of abuse to carry the emotional scars and memories with them for a very long time. Often victims will turn their anger and frustration inward toward themselves. These misplaced emotions then result in unwarranted feelings of guilt, fear, and low self-esteem.

Counseling can be very helpful in overcoming these feelings. Counseling referral services for child abuse victims, past or present, and those who are involved in the situation, can be obtained by contacting the National Child Abuse Hotline, in care of Childhelp USA, 15757 North 78th Street, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260, toll-free telephone: (800) 4A-CHILD.

God will give you comfort and peace as you are faithful and obedient to Him (Psalm 37:3-5). Commit the past, the present, and the future to the Lord. Trust Him to fill your life with peace, joy, and faith as you read His Word and pray daily. Also, actively participate in a gospel-teaching church. There you may be helped by the counsel and ministry of the pastor and the fellowship of other Christians.

6 Comments

Jennifer says 10.3.2011, 12:47 a.m.

Sheila, I feel your pain. I am praying for you. I have been in similar situations. It is hard, but I try to remember that all evil will be used for good at some point. It doesn't make the intense feelings go away, God will help you heal and in time it will ease. It takes time, and cry all you want...it helps!!! See is any church around you has reconciliation encounters...I am going to one this week. I also asked God to show me what I can do in a positive way with what I have been through. Have a blessed day!

Sean says 8.8.2011, 03:39 a.m.

Sheila, there is a website called ptsd jesus christ I think is what i entered into the yahoo search engine. You are not alone. I share with your suffering. I feel so sad and cry so much I don't know how long it will continue. Give it time. As warriors, I believe we may get wounded down here on earth (to say the least) but pray about what type of situations to avoid. I had to only be around certain types of people since I started healing. I have a lot of triggers and Satan loves to use them to keep me wounded. Some times it works, other times ,I just pray for the person(s). Keep the faith. Be encouraged. He loves you and has a good plan for your life. It sounds like he is still healing you. Even if you feel alone, you aren't He is always with you.

JO says 6.25.2011, 6:13 p.m.

Dear Sheila, (above). Your testimony moved me to tears. I felt that I kind of understood how you feel and wish that I could talk with you some more. I'm so sorry for the years you have lost. I will pray and believe that "the LORD wil restore to you, the years that the locusts have eaten" (?), and that He will give you a peace and joy that humans ordinarily would not understand. I also pray that the LORD will send somebody alonside you, who you can trust to nurture you through this terrible 'wilderness' period that you are going through. It is a sad fact that people often do let us down and you have been let down terribly. I do believe however, that; God is good...all the time, and personally I trust Him, and Him alone. God bless you my love and thankyou so much for sharing your heart and soul. Your story really helped me and will probably help so many others xxx

JO says 6.25.2011, 5:41 p.m.

I wasn't actually sexually abused, but certain things did happen and the threat was always there from the age of 12. My mother chose to blame me and I understand that this was her way of dealing with the rejection by her husband. Our extremely close relationship was wrecked and I became her rival. I have lived a terrible life of sinfulness and self-loathing and have often just wanted to die........Jesus saved and forgave me 13 years ago and my LORD is the only one who keeps me going. I still have some bitterness towards my parents but feel that this will get better as I look to the LORD (they are also victims of their own childhoods). I feel that the LORD does understand and wants to heal me of the past (if I will let Him). I have studied Theology and am going to teach R.S. in high school because I want young people to know how much God loves them, no matter what they've done. Whatever has happened in the past, God can turn it around for good and my wasted years need not be in vain. "When my father and mother forsake me, then the LORD will take care of me" (Ps 27:10). I hope this helps somebody to unburden themselves and look for Jesus, because only Jesus can set people free. God bless.

Sheila says 1.16.2011, 4:26 p.m.

I was severly abused and watched my older siblings be severly abused by both my parents. My mother is not really blamed by my siblings as much. I married a man I didn't want to marry and remained in a very abusive marriage for over 22 years untill he asked me for a divorce even though he had been in and out of my life most of the marriage. I don't understand why, now that I'm free I can't get past the pain. Also, my body is now breaking down. I feel so sad inside I want to die. It is so overpowering I cry all the time and I want to feel trusting but I feel so empty like my soul is liquid and its flowing out of me like a raging river. I've had counseling and I am saved for over 30 years. I pray and God is merciful to me. I don't understand why I feel so messed up.

joshua says 12.5.2010, 00:38 a.m.

Please pray thank you BGEA.