Overcoming the Father Wound: The Path to VictorySample

DAY 6: Sexual Abuse

Scripture – II Samuel 13 (the story of the rape of one of David’s daughters by his son Amnon) 14 But he refused to listen to her, and since he was stronger than she, he raped her.

Sexual abuse always brings tragedy, guilt, secrecy and shame. It affects more men than is often thought. According to studies by the Crimes Against Children Research Center and the National Center For Victims of Crimes:

·1 in 5 girls and 1 in 20 boys is a victim of child sexual abuse;

·Self-report studies show that 20% of adult females and 5-10% of adult males recall a childhood sexual abuse incident;

·According to a 2003 National Institute of Justice report, 3 out of 4 adolescents were victimized by someone they knew well…

Let’s consider the compelling story of renowned worship artist, Dennis Jernigan*:

As a little boy, Dennis experienced an older man exposing himself to him in a public bathroom. He says,

“I was at once terrified yet captivated by what I saw. I had never see an adult male in that way so a natural curiosity overcame me…but the fear took over when he asked me if I wanted to touch him ‘there’.

He blamed himself, and felt there must be something wrong with him. He kept a dark secret inside. How did this incident affect him?

Foremost, in terms of Identity. He relates: “This was to set me on a pathway of identifying myself as being ‘different’ than other boys and somehow ‘less than a boy… I certainly did not see myself as masculine’. His poor relationship with his father was also a factor.

“As a boy I needed a role model to show me the way to manhood. But because I felt rejected by the main man in my life I, in turn, rejected him and began to yearn for intimacy with a man in perverse ways”.

Dennis engaged in homosexual encounters as he went to a Baptist college. All the while he kept his “secret”. Fortunately, a deeper revelation of God’s unconditional love later brought a new identity and true wholeness. He is married for many years, and has nine children! As a worship musician, he has composed several major songs that were sung in churches in the 80’s and years following.

If you have been affected by these issues, don’t be ashamed to ask for qualified help – don’t keep secrets!

Prayer:

“Lord, help me to forgive my abuser(s). Help me to come to see myself as cleansed, uniquely valuable and precious in your sight. Amen”.

* Dennis Jernigan’s testimony can be found on his website, dennisjernigan.com.