Joyce Meyer - How Do I Get Rid Of My Pain? (08/18/2019)
How to heal from childhood sexual abuse?
Healing is a journey, not an overnight fix. It involves acknowledging the deep pain, seeking support (like counseling or faith community), and holding onto promises of restoration. Forgiveness, when you're ready, can be a powerful part of freeing yourself from the past's hold.
Can you forgive someone who abused you?
Forgiveness is a process, often taking time and divine help. It's not excusing the evil but releasing the poison of bitterness for your own healing. As shared, it can even lead to unexpected reconciliation, but the primary goal is your own peace and freedom.
Why do mothers sometimes not protect their children?
Often, it's not a lack of love but a result of their own trauma, fear, or helplessness. As described, generational cycles of abuse, lack of awareness, and societal pressures can paralyze a parent, leaving them unable to act, even when they desperately want to.
How does abuse affect you later in life?
Abuse can warp your self-image, breed shame, and make trust nearly impossible. It can lead to isolation, difficulty with relationships, and a deep-seated anger or disdain for perceived weakness in others, as the survivor builds walls for protection.
What does the Bible say about recovering from shame?
Scriptures like Isaiah 61:7 promise a "double reward" for former shame. This means God offers profound restoration and purpose that can outweigh past pain. It's a journey of replacing lies with His truth about your value and identity.
Is it normal to resent a passive parent more?
Yes, it's a common and painful reaction. While the abuser's actions are clearly evil, the inaction of the other parent can feel like a deeper betrayal of the protective love you needed, making their perceived failure harder to comprehend and process.
How can God use a painful past for good?
God can redeem any story. He doesn't cause the pain, but He can weave it into a testimony of survival and hope to help others. Your deepest wounds can become sources of empathy, strength, and purpose in your own life and for those you minister to.