Abuse is a very painful thing. Those who have experienced it likely wouldn't want to remember it, much less experience it again. The good thing is that no matter what kind of abuse we have gone through and how long we've suffered it, God is able to heal our hearts and mend our brokenness with His love.
Have you ever experienced any form of abuse? Here are some Bible truths that you can believe in and receive comfort from.
1. God doesn't want to destroy you
Most of us blame God for the pain and injustice that we go through, but in reality, God isn't the one doing the evil against us. Consider what happened to Joseph: His brothers threw him into a cistern, sold him to a slave trader, and made it appear as if he was killed by animals (see Genesis 37:12-36).
Many years later, when he reconciled with his brothers, he was able to forgive them and tell them what he realised through all the bad things that happened to him, starting from the time he was abused by his brothers:
"But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive." (Genesis 50:20)
Whatever the abuse that you went through, remember that it happened not because God wanted to hurt you and destroy you. He could never do that. Nothing goes above His head. Instead, realise that He wants to use your experiences to mould you into Christ-likeness, to give you a testimony, and show His love and mercy to you.
2. God is in control of the situations around us
Some of us blame God for allowing abuse to happen to us, as if Satan is more powerful than He is. No, my friends, God is in control of all things.
David knows this so well. After being delivered from the hands of a jealous King Saul, David thanked the Lord in whom he trusts. Consider what he said in Psalm 18:30-36.
"As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places. He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great. You enlarged my path under me, So my feet did not slip."
3. Christ knows your pain
More than just having a God who is trustworthy, we have a Saviour who knows how we feel and is willing to help us when we need Him. Read what Hebrews 4:14-16 has to say:
"Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
