Grace Abounds: Hope and Healing From Sexual AbuseSample

People are not our enemy; the devil is. [...] The guilty have their own story as well. Our goal should be to love people and hate the devil (74). [i]

Have you considered that hurting people hurt people? The Bible explains in Ephesians 6:12 that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the powers of this dark world. Your anger should be directed toward the enemy who persuaded the flesh to sin, not solely your abuser. Attaining this perspective may be difficult. However, when you recognize your enemy, you can strengthen your defense!

Not only does living by this God-lens require truth and justice, but also an endless hope and love for humanity. God fully and unconditionally loves all His children. Envision your abusers beyond their actions to recognize their imperfections, struggles, strongholds, and pains. God desires everyone to receive His gifts of freedom through salvation, mercy, and grace.

Research shows childhood sexual abuse victims have a higher risk of becoming abusive adults or developing abusive relationships. The enemy divides families from generation to generation through the destruction caused by sexual abuse. He hopes survivors will live silently within an emotional prison that threatens their spiritual assurance and separates them from their God-given purpose.

You must choose to be the generation that utilizes the power of God to break the cycle and offer truth and love to a hurting world. Recognize the disguise of the flesh of man and fight Satan with the supernatural, powerful weapons of God that guarantee victory.

[i] Church of the Highlands Small Groups. (n.d.). Living in Freedom Every Day.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being our Creator and Defender. Help the hurting woman see all people the way You do. Allow her to release the offense and utilize that energy to fight the enemy's tactics. Give her the emotional and spiritual strength to focus on her path toward healing. Fill her with perseverance and heal her heart. Thank You, Lord, for Your unconditional love. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.