Hollywood isn't the only place where sexual abuse runs rampant, since regular people face sexual exploitation and oppression too. Pastor Perry Noble, founder of NewSpring Church in South Carolina, opened up about his past experience of abuse this January in order to encourage more people to come forward with their own experiences.
Noble shared his painful ordeal with molestation on his blog. "I can remember it like it was yesterday...where I was...what he said to 'lure' me in...and how I felt when it was happening," he wrote.
Noble was only five years old when the molestation took place. Even now that he's 41 years old, Noble admitted that the memory of that day still torments his soul. He buried this secret for 17 years because he knew it was not right, but during those years, Noble struggled with shame and suffering. In fact, he even blamed himself for what happened.
"I thought if I stayed silent about it then it would not happen again (it did) - that I would not get into trouble and that the memories associated with it would go away," he said. "Honestly, I am still embarrassed about it even as I write these words. So why I am writing this today... Simple - to let those know who have been sexually abused that it is not your fault."
Noble said people who open up about their experiences of abuse can find healing, and it is actually more detrimental to carry the burden alone "deep in your soul."
"When I was in treatment a year and a half ago my therapist traced back the beginning of trauma that snowballed to an uncontrollable crescendo to this event - and one of my biggest regrets in life is not talking about this sooner," he said.
Keeping the pain hidden will not make it go away, Noble assured, and the only way people can find redemption is to ask for help. He stressed repeatedly that sexual abuse victims are not at fault over what happened to them, and believing otherwise is the enemy's design.
"And it does not matter if you were 5, 15 or 25 - it was wrong, and the enemy wants to use that event to do unimaginable damage to your soul," he said. "I would be lying if I said I was completely over it - there are still days when I experience guilt, shame and even anger. However, today I live in freedom from thinking it was my fault - and my hope and prayer in sharing this is you will experience the same as well."
At the same time, Noble posted on Instagram (@perrynoble) that anything is possible through Jesus Christ. No matter how horrible one's past might be, he assured believers that Jesus makes all things possible. "Jesus restores...Jesus brings healing...And Jesus brings ruins back to life!" he said.
