Today I am grieving for my friend. I found out yesterday that she had been raped by someone she knew and trusted. It was not a date rape- they were supposed to have a strictly professional relationship. Much like a doctor- patient relationship. She called me yesterday and told me the "Reader's Digest Version" and she is still hurting very much. She is afraid to go home (he knows where she lives), she is afraid to answer her own phone (afraid he will call.) It reminds me of what pedophiles do to the children they assault. I am so saddened for her.
I have never been the victim of rape, but let's just say I have a unique understanding of something of what she is going through. I am happy to say there are a few blessings that have come from this, despite the fact that one would think none could come from it. One, she is aware that this happened to her body, not her soul, and that she can use this horrible experience as her testimony to the comforts and the glory of the Lord. Two, she is getting psychological help for a lot of other issues that have caused her pain recently. I am so thrilled that there are some blessings coming from it! I know she has a long way to go still, and the healing will take time. I only pray that I can be there for her, when she needs to weep, and when she needs to pray, or when she just needs to be held by someone that doesn't make her feel like it was somehow her fault.
Have you ever been the victim of a sexual assault? Do you feel guilty, dirty, or worthless? If you do, please feel free to contact me at info@prv31woman.org, and I would be happy to just talk, or listen or whatever. I am not a professional counselor, but I would be more than willing to be a shoulder for you. I won't try to tell you what you should do, and your information will be kept completely confidential. (I won't even share as much as I did here today.) I will share nothing, unless you want me to, and ask me to yourself.
I will be praying on this topic for the next few days, because no matter how hard I tried today, I could think of nothing else that the Lord wanted me to post. I feel led to help other women in this aspect, if you would like my help. So please, do contact me if you'd like my prayers, want someone to talk to, or just want to scream at someone about the unfairness of being a victim. I get it, I truly do. Love and peace to you all.
Lord, today I pray for my friend and all the other victims of this terrible crime. I pray for the peace and serenity that only you can give. I pray that if I can help any one of them, that if it be your will, I do. I pray these things in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.
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Shalene,
ReplyDeleteWhat a powerful and inspirational writing about your friend and what she went through. I know how she feels. I was raped over 20 years ago when I first went to college. I remember how I locked myself up in my room and did not come out. I remember crying each and everyday. I became so withdrawn. I trusted no one. I told no one. I never told my sisters, brothers, mother or father. My husband knows I finally told him about it. The only one who got me to realize the rape was not my fault was a Christian friend which invited me to church. I finally found the freedom ten years later through Jesus Christ. Keep praying for your friend and keep helping her with prayer. God bless you and keep blogging for Jesus.
Valerie
The urging of the Lord, for me to post something about this horrible deed was so strong, I had no other choice, and I don't regret it a bit. I've felt led all along, to minister to others that may have hurts that they are hiding or have buried. I have a lot of experience with that. I won't go into details, that would take up too much space, but let's just say that I've been in enough counseling sessions that I could practically be one. :) That and I know the comforts that only the Lord can bring. Blessings to you as well Valerie. I'm glad you found peace through Him as well. And I most certainly will keep blogging for Jesus. Blessings to you, sister.
ReplyDeleteWhile reading this post I was saddened for your girlfriend but I was also smiling because you are willing to help others. You have a beautiful heart Shalene - God bless you.
ReplyDeleteI have been through a lot of things - I've lead a very rough life. Some things were my fault, others were not. But now that I'm saved, I've found that I'm able to relate to a broad spectrum of people because I've been through so much that chances are, I know first-hand what they've been through. And no I don't play the "one-up" game, I've truly lead a shameful, degrading life. I won't even put up my testimony because it is so heinous. But if you can get past that, then you can see God's glory all the more once you've realized where I come from.
My horrible past helps in my witnessing to others. I tell people (when I'm with them face to face) what I've been through and I also tell them the remedy which is Jesus. I could not have forgiven without Jesus, or dispense my anger and hatred if it weren't for Jesus, or change my secular world view if it weren't for Jesus. Years of filth and muck were taken away by Jesus and now, I truly am a new person. Praise Jesus!!!
My sister-in-law has been going to therapy for 12 years now - she has issues with her mother and this therapy has not helped at all. She had a breakdown and is on medication - it's a mess. I've tried to tell her of the power of Jesus and help her to reallize that her therapist cannot fix this. She cannot fix this - no one has that power to change hearts and heal hearts except Jesus...but she won't listen.
Shalene, I don't know if your friend is a believer but whether she is or not, please let her know that Jesus can heal her hurts and dispense her fears. Try to get her focus off of her and the rapist and point her towards Christ. I already know you will.
Blessings,
Carol
Hi Carol, I understand completely what you are saying about pasts and such. I too have a rough past. Some of which was my fault as well. I've shared a good portion of it here, but certainly not all of it. You may consider praying to the Lord about a testimony. You may think it's too heinous, but He may not. Just a thought. It's a personal choice everyone must make. Again, I'll be praying for you. Blessings to you sister.
ReplyDeleteCarol, BTW my friend does know Christ, and in fact was probably the person that had the greatest influence on me coming back to the Lord, after rejecting Him for many years. She has a strong and beautiful heart for the Lord. I am praying for her continuously and am going to help her in any way I can.
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