Sexual abuse is an all-too-common experience for many men. The pain of the experience can be compounded by feelings of confusion, guilt, and abandonment that come with asking the age-old questions: why did it happen to me? Why didn’t God protect me? Couldn’t he have stopped them from hurting me? It’s natural to feel this way and even more understandable when you can’t find answers.
The Nature of Our World
First and foremost, it is important to understand that our world is extremely broken due to the fall of humanity as a result our Heaven on earth was downgraded to not so perfect place. As a result of this broken the door henges for death, pain, sickness, and diseases we swung wide open. Now we live in a world that is nothing close to God's original desire and intent for us as His beloved children. It is filled with pain and suffering, which means that bad things can and do happen to good people. That being said, it is important for us to keep in mind that God does not cause evil; the hearts of people foster it; rather, He allows us free will so that we can choose how we want to live our lives. This means that while He may not be able to prevent all forms of evil or suffering from occurring, He can still bring something good out of any situation—even one as horrible as sexual abuse.
God's Role in Our Suffering
The truth is, we don't know why certain things happen—especially when we think God should have been there to stop them. But what we do know is that God isn't a puppet master pulling strings or punishing us for our sins. He doesn't cause evil or suffering, but he does enter into it with us. That means that even when bad things happen and we're powerless to stop them, God is there with us through it all. When we experience things that break us, God's heart breaks as well. It is the "incarnate" God who comforts, heals, and redeems us all the time.
The Bible says that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him" (Romans 8:28). While this doesn't mean that bad things won’t happen, it does mean that no matter what happens, God will use it for our ultimate good—even if we don't understand why right away. When life seems unfair or overwhelming, remember that you are not alone; God never leaves your side. He sees and understands your suffering, and He cares deeply about what you're going through.
Finding Comfort in Jesus
Healing from sexual abuse takes time and patience—and often professional help from a qualified therapist or counselor who specializes in trauma treatment. In addition to finding healing through therapy, many people find comfort in connecting with Jesus Christ on a deeper level during times of suffering. Knowing Jesus personally means having access to His understanding heart and incredible power to bring beauty out of brokenness. He promises “to console those who mourn," (Isaiah 61:2) so call out to Him today!
The Role of Faith in Healing
It is also important for us to remember that faith plays an integral role in healing after a traumatic event such as sexual abuse. As we grapple with feelings of grief, anger, guilt, shame, and confusion; faith can provide us with the strength and courage we need to face each day. Furthermore, faith gives us hope for a better tomorrow; hope that one day our suffering will come to an end and peace will be restored in our lives. Furthermore, faith offers us comfort knowing that God loves us unconditionally despite what has happened—and even more importantly—that He never abandoned us during our darkest moments.
" God cries for and alongside the survivor of sexual trauma" - Robert H. Marshall Psalms 34:16
We may not understand why some terrible events happen in our lives or why they seem so unfair at times, but we can trust that God loves us deeply and will never leave us alone as we go through difficult seasons of life. Even though you may feel powerless to heal from sexual abuse on your own, remember that there is hope in knowing Jesus Christ and his power to redeem broken situations—no matter how painful they may be. Take courage today knowing that he is with you every step of the way as you seek healing from sexual abuse!