“I will restore to you the years that the locusts have eaten” (Joel
2:25). This verse is speaking of the
plagues sent to Egypt by the Lord. Moreover, it speaks to each of us of the
toll life has taken on us. Every one has experienced loss of life or treasure,
including health and wealth. For some our innocence has been stolen in violent
and scurrilous ways.
I served as Chaplain for two psychiatric hospitals
where I counseled numerous patients who have been violated severely in
life. My experience has indicated that a large portion of all women
hospitalized have at some time been raped as children or adults through incest. These violations are scarring and
traumatizing, especially when perpetrated by alleged loved ones. Often, the victim is threatened to promise to
keep it secret, under pain of death or injury.
Years of troubled life may go by with this secret only causing pain and
discord internally and externally. Unresolved molestation does not go away
unless healed by God. This requires courage and openness to re-injury or pain.
I suggest a process like grieving, as these losses involve
grief over loss of innocence or purity. It
starts with Steal, Conceal, Feel,
Reveal, Heal, and Release and Reveal again. Why so many reveals? Many counselors tell us that we must reveal a
secret to begin to heal. The revealing must begin even though the victim will
feel pain again, but the secret stops. This is not telling a secret but
revealing a wrong, a crime. Bringing an
injury, a sore, into the open, begins the healing process. That which is done in
darkness will be brought into the light. “The Lord turns my darkness into light” (2Sam
22:29). The psalmist says, “my
God turns my darkness into light.” How
does God do this? Job 12:22 says, “He
reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light.” This may be scary, but nothing done in
darkness can be hidden- it will be revealed.
This is good news, but admittedly scary as we will need to face it and
it may be out of our control in so doing. But God is good and faithful and will
provide a way through so we can stand up under it (1Cor. 10:13).
The psalmist in Ps 103 praises the God “who
forgives all our sins and heals all of our diseases, and who lifts our lives
from the pit and who fills us with love and compassion.” What a promise- God will heal. In fact some of
the last words of the OT in Malachi 4:2 are "But for you who revere my name, the sun of
righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap
like calves released from the stall.” This verse is speaking of the
Messiah, Jesus Christ, who has come with healing of sins and sorrows. He has
come to make us new, promising that the old will be gone when we trust in Him
as our Lord and Savior. He heals all!!
God is saying REVEAL it to me and see what I will do. I will
heal you He says. In healing we need to feel the pain again. But God is in the
pain with us. He tells us in Isaiah 43 "Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have
summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be
with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set
you ablaze.” The Holy One will
heal and protect you through the trauma. All treatment for PTSD speaks of
re-experiencing the trauma. Therapists start with less intense feelings and
gradually increase the exposure. For it is in Re-experiencing that we are
released, because they cannot hurt you again.
So as you REVEAL you are HEALED. Now release the pain to
Christ. Allow God to take the pain and bring forgiveness. This step brings
release perhaps from the prison of our memories. Perhaps it does not bring
forgetting, but God wants us to forgive as he has forgiven us. He has given us
the ministry of reconciliation so that we may first be reconciled to him and
then to others, even those who have injured us.
This reconciliation might not be personally going to the perpetrator, as
this might not be safe, advisable or they may be gone. But God will restore us
as we seek reconciliation from him and others. Perhaps prayer, confession to a
counselor or other godly person will be a good beginning. Then possibly a
letter or journaling or even a personal meeting with the perpetrator,
accompanied by safe friends, will bring confrontation and release and perhaps
reconciliation.
Now you are coming through the trial and trauma, day by
day. At some point it will be time to
share your testimony of healing openly and even publicly that you and others
can be healed. Your testimony may allow others to begin their process of
healing and you will be part of the process.
God says that He will work all things together for good for
those who love Him and are called by Him (Romans 8:28). He will make good
happen to you and others even through bad and injurious things. He did not
cause the trouble, but He will make good of it if you trust him. To Him be the
glory.
Isaiah 61:7-8New International Version (NIV)
7 Instead of your shame
you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
and everlasting joy will be yours.
you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
and everlasting joy will be yours.
8 “For I, the Lord, love justice;
I hate robbery and wrongdoing.
In my faithfulness I will reward my people
and make an everlasting covenant with them.
I hate robbery and wrongdoing.
In my faithfulness I will reward my people
and make an everlasting covenant with them.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts.