Child Abuse Survivors

QUESTION: Can child abuse survivors find healing and hope?

ANSWER:

Child abuse is a very heartbreaking and disturbing topic since children should be taken care of, nurtured, and loved. In some cases, the parents are not capable of nurturing for any number of reasons. However, there is healing and hope for child abuse survivors. I am a walking example of survival.

I was born to parents who emotionally did not know how to reach out to me in a nurturing way or be there when I needed guidance, comfort, or reassurance. My mother had what I would call a Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde personality. One never knew from day to day which one would appear. Therefore, for the first 18 years of my life, I walked on egg shells so as not to disturb her. I was physically hit, sometimes to the point of becoming unconscious. There were no siblings and no grandparents. My aunts and uncles lived in other states; I felt alone and helpless.

Every Sunday my parents took me to Sunday school. My mother was my Sunday school teacher and junior choir director. Because of the harsh treatment from home and contrasting words of love from the Bible, I became very confused as to just who God is that He would allow pain to be afflicted on a child! Over the years, I had intense anger and thoughts of suicide. Because of my emotional dependence, I married and had two beautiful boys. But the marriage lasted only 16 years before falling apart.

I am so thankful to my parents for introducing me to God. The relationship was not strong at the time, but I had learned that I needed God. Jesus is the one I should go to because He was the only one who saw my hurt and could heal me. Overcoming abuse is a process that takes time; you learn to rely on God, not man. "Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors" (Psalm 27:10-11).

As I look at the past, I can see growth as a child abuse survivor. The journey of growth has had its ups and downs. There was not an instant healing from anger when I accepted salvation. During those valleys of my life, I tried not to be discouraged, but continued giving my thoughts and emotions to Him.

Later on in my growth I learned about the Holy Spirit. Without the "Third Person" of the Trinity, who is so important in the believer's life, I would not have come to the point of knowing how I can bear fruit. He makes us holy by His presence in our lives through transforming the soul and spirit. "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come" (John 16:13).

You, too, can become a child abuse survivor because Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Give all of your life to Him placing the abuse at the foot of the cross where He will heal and restore you forever.