June Hunt on Abuse – September 2018

September 2018

Before Jesus healed a man who couldn’t walk for 38 years, He asked him an interesting question … “Do you want to be healed?” (John 5:6 ESV). The man replied, “I have no one to help me …” (John 5:7).

Jesus then healed him … showing that no matter how long the suffering has lasted, the Lord can step in and change a life. And today, there are many in need of His healing and hope.

They’re all around us—the walking wounded.

They come from all walks of life, all races, and all nationalities. Male and female … young and old … rich and poor … they’ve all been targets of someone else’s cruel drive for power and perverse self-indulgence.

They bear the stigma of suffering … but seldom can you see the marks. They’ve been sexually abused—and likely verbally, emotionally, and physically abused as well. Over time, their bodies may heal, but a broken spirit and shattered heart may linger long after the physical scars are gone. The victims can come to believe a great lie … the
lie that they are worthless.

But the Lord says otherwise. God is grieved by abuse of any kind, and His heart overflows with compassion for its victims. He longs for all who suffer to find true hope and healing in Him. God’s Word is packed with promises and reminders of who you are in His eyes … and how much you mean to Him.

• You are loved. “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness” (Jeremiah 31:3).
• You are accepted. “Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory”  (Romans 15:7 NLT).
• You are redeemed. “In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed” (Exodus 15:13).
• You are chosen. “For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you” (1 Thessalonians 1:4).
• You are His child. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1).
• You are made new. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV).
• You are cleansed. “You were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11 NLT).

If you have experienced abuse and sometimes struggle with feelings of worthlessness, perhaps the Lord is asking you the same question today … “Do you want to be healed?”

Reflect on what God says about you. As you begin to see yourself through God’s eyes, I pray you will find hope and healing as you discover your precious identity as a child of God. He literally says, “You are precious and honored in my sight, and … I love you” (Isaiah 43:4).

Now go back to the beginning of the list and personalize each point in this way: “Thank You, Lord, that You genuinely love me …” Sincerely thank God for His tender expression toward you. Notice how His words toward you will tenderize your heart.

Yours in the Lord’s hope,

June Hunt

P.S. If you need to talk with someone about abuse—or any life issue—please call our Hope Care Center at 1-800-488-HOPE (4673). You can also call me on Hope In The Night at 1-800-Night17 at 11:00 p.m. CST. I would be honored to talk with you. We’re here to provide biblical counsel, prayer support, and resources for any challenge you’re facing.

If you’re on Facebook, I invite you to connect with me at Facebook.com/June.Hunt.Hope. And if you’re not, take it from me: You’re never too old to start! See you there!

For your convenience, you can donate to this ministry via our website, www.HopeForTheHeart.org.

Adapted from June Hunt, Self-Image & Identity: What’s True about You, Biblical Counseling Keys Library (Dallas, Hope For The Heart, 2015), 5–6 and June Hunt, Sexual Harassment, Assault & Rape: Stopping the Abuse of Power. Unpublished manuscript, Biblical Counseling Keys Library (Dallas, Hope For The Heart, 2018), 1.

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