When The Door Slams
"Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. "What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 10:26-28
Many victims [of sexual abuse have] tremendous anger toward God, their parents and other Christians who did not understand the deep pain the abuse victim has endured. Many pastors and other Christians are personally uncomfortable or unfamiliar with such intense pain. Wanting to "rescue" the victim as well as to avoid experiencing their own pain through personal involvement, they may tend to give "formulas" or "pat answer" as a solutions: Just trust in Jesus and everything will be okay.
Initially, however, such superficial advice only increases the pain and confusion victims experience. It implies they don't have enough faith, that they should be " OK" by now, or that they are not pleasing God in some way because they aren't yet healed.... I know that Christ is the Healer; He wants to heal the damage that has been done, but restoration often involves a process that takes years. There is no "quick fix" to the pain of any abuse.
Think about this: Without first repairing the interpersonal relationship with God...., the abuse victim has no "source" with which to establish any lasting victory over the results of damage in his or her life, nor sustenance for the journey to wholeness.
Many times the relationship with God must be entirely role-modeled again within a trusting and caring counseling relationship with another person as a pattern for developing a healthy relationship as the victim learns how to have a healthy relationship with the of Christ.
Related Bible Texts: Job 7:11; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21; Ephesians 2:4-10; 1 John 3:1-2
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