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”