Help for the hurting
I have a friend who is studying for her Masters in Counseling. She passed me this book with the promise that I would be encouraged, and it did not disappoint! This is the first book I have ever read from Joyce Meyer. It shares her testimony of how she was able to walk through healing and forgiveness from being severely sexually abused most of her childhood by her father, until she was able to move out of the house as an older teen. Sadly, her mother knew about it, but did nothing to protect her. Joyce Meyer's testimony is incredibly sad, yet astoundingly hopefully. I mean...ASTOUNDING!
How anyone can walk through trauma that deep and not only survive, but actually be walking in such healing and wholeness? It is a miracle only God can do. Seriously. Joyce Meyer is such a strong, powerful woman of God. It takes incredible strength to forgive such deep abuse. The intentional choices she made in her life to forgive and seek out reconciliation is so powerful. I have so much respect for her.
I wanted to share this book on my blog because I know there are a lot of men and women who are hurting out there because of past sexual abuse. My heart truly hurts for you. I am so sorry that ever happened to you and no matter what the abuser or the devil has told you, it is NOT your fault. I am deeply sorry that the abuse ever happened...God our Father, is so so heartbroken for you too.
One time when I was in my 20s, I attended a church conference. The speaker wanted to pray for healing for people who had been sexually abused. He asked those who needed prayer to stand up. I looked up and every single person sitting around me was out of their chairs. In that moment, I heard the gentle voice of the Lord (in my head) and He said, "Eunice, these are my sheep that I love, what are YOU going to do to help them?" In that moment, the Lord broke my heart for sexual abuse victims. I may not completely understand what you have gone through, but I do want to tell you that you are not alone. You don't have to walk through the journey of healing alone. God can help you and others in the Body of Christ want to help you too. If you are hurting from the pain of abuse, I really encourage you to read this book and reach out for help from a good Christian counselor, or a good mentor, a good pastor, etc. Joyce Meyer does an excellent job in writing out step by step how she was able to forgive, let go, and even restore her relationship with her parents (that part that left me completely blown away).
By the end of the book, I literally was just in awe of God. He is so incredibly awesome.