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You wake up in the middle of the night, shaking and sweating from nightmarish memories of the abuse. Or maybe you're afraid to go to sleep because night is when you were abused. Or you're afraid to go to the grocery store because that's where the man who raped you was waiting in your car.

Anything that happens to you physically is imprinted on your brain, experts say. And if you've been abused, you've suffered tremendous physical trauma. That means it won't easily go away—you can't deny the experience ever happened or try to "forget" about it. Memories of the event(s) and fears about it happening again in the future will surface in numerous ways. But when fear does surface, you can read Psalm 27 for comfort: "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" It's a good reminder that God is stronger than the person who abused you; that God is mightier than that person or your memories. So let God strengthen your heart and give you courage to face your daily life. And don't forget to take advantage of another of God's gifts to you—seek a godly counselor who can help you deal with the abuse and its effects in your life. (See also Leviticus 18:6-18, 29, 30; Ecclesiastes 12:14.)

Good Words to Remember:
"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

Today's Challenge:
Have you taken steps to get help from a godly counselor? If so, how has that experience affected your thoughts and feelings about yourself, your past, your worth, and your future? If you haven't chosen to get counseling, why not?

Copyright © 2001 by the author or Christianity Today International/Christian Bible Studies.

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