God and Sexual Assault

The Healer

He came to earth as a baby...

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV

Do you hurt? Emotionally, physically, spiritually? I do. I hurt deeply. My wounds are open and bleeding. Sexual abuse and assault leave wounds beyond what we ever dreamed would open in ourselves.

Wounds of loneliness, depression, anxiety, physical ailments, personality disorders, emotional devastation. I could go on with the list and you could nod your head yes to many of them if you are a survivor.

Last night I was in bed and my hurts were running so very deep. I was crying out to God. Tears rolling down my face. “I don’t want to remember anymore memories. I don’t want to think about this life I’m living. I need you God. Help me. I need you.”

I hugged my very large therapy bear – yes it helps at 41 years old to have a life sized stuffed animal to hug when you are all alone and no one is around. It is like God is hugging you.

So, tears streaming down my face, praying to God, and hugging my bear imagining God hugging me, I let God wrap some of my wounds. As I let Him wash over me with His love I began to ponder His birth.

The reason we just celebrated Christmas. I am afraid right now. I am afraid of so many things. Afraid my life will never get better. These wounds will never heal. Memories will keep coming. Life will always be this painful. Fear.

I remember some other people who feared. The shepherds feared the angel when the proclamation of Christ’s birth was made to them.

Actually the verses say, “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.’” Luke 2:8-10 NIV

The shepherds were terrified! Not just fearful. Terrified! Can you relate?  I can. Then read on in the passage. The angel then says, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” “DO NOT BE AFRAID…..NEWS THAT WILL CAUSE YOU GREAT JOY.”

God says this to us today. Do not be afraid my child, I already sent you my son and He died for YOU. YOU have reason to have joy.

Oh, believe me, I find this hard to comprehend. I am supposed to be joyful when I was sexually abused and raped?  No, but we can be joyful God sent His son to die for us so we can have a relationship with Him and He can help us. He loves us. He is here for us.

He is tending our wounds when we are not even looking. In Exodus 15:26 (NIV) He says, “…for I am the Lord, who heals you.” He is still the healer today.

We are the hurt, and he is the healer.

The God of comfort. The one we can cry to, and lay out our wounds.

Let’s allow Him to be our Healer.

He came to earth as a baby and died on a cross for you and for me. He longs to see us healed.

Father God,

There are so many wounds in my life. They hurt deeply. I ask You to help me allow You to be the healer in my life. Thank you for coming to earth as a baby, living as one of us, and dying on the cross so I can have a relationship with You. I need You. I need your healing in my life.

Amen

 

© Susan M. Clabaugh 2017 All Right Reserved

 

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