“Look on victims of abuse as if what happened to them had happened to you.” Hebrews 13:3 (The Message)
- The Prevalence of the Problem
“Understand this: There will be very difficult times in the last days. People will be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, arrogant, and abusive . . . lacking self-control . . . brutal . . . and addicted to lust . . .” 2 Timothy 3:1-4
ABUSE:Visual, verbal or physical sexual activity without consent.
- THE DAMAGE IT CAUSES
“David said, ‘I will not say anything while evil people are near.’ So I kept quiet, not saying a word . . . but my suffering only grew worse, and I was overcome with anxiety. The more I thought, the more troubled I became; I could not keep from asking: ‘Lord, how long will I live? When will I die? Tell me how soon my life will end.” Psalm 39:1-4
Jesus said “Situations that cause people to sin are bound to happen, but the punishment will be terrible for anyone who causes others to lose their faith. And it would be better for a person to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck than to harm to one of these little children.” Luke 17:1-2
Action Plan: Now is the time to establish a safe place in your recovery by attending Celebrate Recovery. Click here to find a Celebrate Recovery location near you.
THE PROCESS OF HEALING
- “You saw them abuse me, Lord, so make things right.” Lamentations 3:59 (CEV)
“You saw them abuse me, Lord, so make things right.” Lamentations 3:59 (CEV)
“In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered by setting me free.” Psalm 118:5
Action Plan: If you have been abused, write out cards that remind you “It’s not my fault.” Perhaps now is the time to seek additional care through counseling. Click here for information on Saddleback’s counseling ministry.
- HOW JESUS CARES FOR OUR PAIN
“Jesus turned around and saw the woman and said, ‘Be encouraged, dear daughter! Your faith has healed you!’ At that very moment, the woman was restored to health.” Matthew 9:22
MAKING OUR CHURCH A PLACE FOR SUPPORT
(In the Church) “Treat the older men as you would your own father and treat younger men as your brothers. Treat the older women as you would your own mother, and treat the younger women with purity as you would your sister.” 1 Timothy 5:1-2
Action Plan: The church should be seen as a safe place. Click here to share this weekend’s message with somebody who made need to hear about healing and care.
Doable Discipleship: This week’s episode of Doable Discipleship dives deep into the power of habit formation and how having the right habits in your life will help you on the path of spiritual growth. To watch or listen, click here.
Talk It Over: Have you ever discussed the weekend message in your small group? Talk It Over provides weekly small group discussion questions as a way to bring the weekend message into your small group. To view this week’s Talk It Over, click here.
