Healing From Sexual Abuse

Healing From Sexual Abuse In “Healing from Sexual Abuse,” episode #097, Meredith Curtis examines a horrible side of life in the 21stCentury with honesty, compassion, and truth. She offers hope from the Word of God to define sexual abuse and to process what has happened to you. She also explains why certain lies are often believed by victims, how to reject them, and how Jesus brings healing to the brokenness that often results from sexual abuse. There is healing and freedom, but it is a process. To all those who have been wounded, my heart breaks for you and I am praying that you know the precious love of Jesus that can heal you physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Warning: This show contains sensitive material       Show Notes Purpose of Childhood Purpose of Womanhood/Manhood Care Giver’s Role: Protect Innocence/Provide Safety/Allow children to develop intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually in a safe, pure, and loving environment God’ Heart toward Those Who Have Been Sexually Abused: Matthew 18:1-6 & I Peter 3:7 What is Sexual Abuse? A Wide Range Often Progressive * Sexual Jokes, Crude comments * Terminology, etc. that is too adult for victim * Pornography, Exposing, * Inappropriate Touching * Forcing Children to Participate in Sexual Acts * Rape Sexual abuse exposes children/teens to deviant behavior that damages them emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I Thessalonians 4:3-12 Why Do Abuse Victims Often Feel Guilt & Shame? * Process of Grooming (manipulation by abuser) See Radio Show here * Sense of Powerlessness (control and fear instilled by abuser) * Separation of sex from loving intimacy—creates a hunger for love & intimacy * Body betrayed them—felt some pleasure—only because body parts worked, not because they wanted it St. Augustine in City of God: No guilt, no loss of purity when you are not a willing participate NO guilt! Reject lie! How is Sexual Abuse Related to the Demonic? Revelation 9:18-21 Ephesians 4:17-19 Demon worship, pagan religions, witchcraft includes sexual acts, prostitution, and “sacrifice” of virgins How Sexual Abuse Changes People Heartache Physical Ailments Trouble trusting people/feeling safe Fall into patterns with predators Can feel like “less of a man” or “less of a woman” How to Process Sexual Abuse Ephesians 5:11-17 Evil Sin Crime/Abusers Keep Abusing/Report Abusers to Police You were a victim, an unwilling participant Acknowledge that Sexual Abuser did an evil thing—don’t make excuses for him/her Anger Mourn the Loss of Innocence/Protection Reject Lies: “This is my fault”, “I should have stopped it”, “No one is safe” From Brokenness to Wholeness Isaiah 61:1-7 Christ bore our brokenness on the cross and offers healing & wholeness Stay Safe & Protect Others Build patterns in your life that are protective and keep you and others safe. What Teens Can Do * Pray for the Lord to Protect You & Give You Wisdom * Don’t hang out with people your parents don’t approve of and don’t build private relationships. Friendships should be inclusive, not exclusive. * Don’t spend time with someone who “gives you the creeps”