T HE CRISIS A ND T R AUM A SERIE S

What Is God’s Heart on

Childhood
Sexual Abuse?

Excerpt from
 Childhood Sexual Abuse The Secret Storm

What Is God’s Heart on Childhood Sexual Abuse?

When a storm threatens, everyone knows it. People can stand outside and see dark clouds form and feel strong
winds blow. When the storm erupts . . . the rain pours, the lightning flashes, and the thunder rumbles from
miles away. Even before the storm begins, warning messages and screaming sirens prepare people for what’s to
come. If the storm is severe, damage is easily seen in broken branches and fallen fences.

But the secret storm of childhood sexual abuse is much different. For most victims, it’s exactly that—a
secret. It stays a secret. No one tells because they don’t want the secret to become known. Yet for millions
of children, the savage storm of sexual abuse devastates their lives. They couldn’t have seen it coming. They
weren’t prepared for it. And the damage cannot be quickly nor easily repaired.

Yet, this storm is no secret to God. He is not silent about abuse. He is not absent—He is present. To the
unrepentant abusers, a storm of judgment from the Lord awaits: “His power is great, and he never lets the guilty
go unpunished. He displays his power in the whirlwind and the storm” (Nahum 1:3 nlt). And to the children, to all
those who have been hurt and abused, the Lord is a refuge.

“You are a refuge from the storm.”

(Isaiah 25:4 nlt)

God cares deeply about children—He welcomes them with open arms and blesses them.
“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as
these’ . . . And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them” (M ark 10:14, 16).

God wants everyone to protect and defend the weak—especially children.

“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the
needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 82:3–4).

God wants survivors of abuse to know there is hope.

“There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off” (P roverbs 23:18).

God cares about your pain.

“You have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul” (Psalm 31:7 nlt).

God can heal the wounds of abuse.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).

God sees you as precious in His sight.

“You are precious and honored in my sight, and . . . I love you” (Isaiah 43:4).
God Himself is with you—to help and uphold you each day.
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will
hold you up with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10 nlt).

God uses counselors and other wise, helpful people to bring healing and victory over abuse.
“Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory” (P roverbs 11:14 nasb).

God wants you to help others who have experienced abusive treatment.
“The Father of compassion and the God of all comfort . . . comforts us in all
our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we “To all those who
ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4).
have been hurt
and abused,
God will judge and hold accountable every abuser for every act of abuse.
“For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive
the Lord is
whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body” a refuge.”
(2 Corinthians 5:10 nlt).

God calls for the abuser to change.

“Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord”
(Isaiah 55:7 nlt).

God will one day end all abuse and pain.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things
are gone forever” (R evelation 21:4 nlt).

Go Deeper
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 4 POINTS OF GOD’S PLAN
Whether you’re trying to make sense of your past, trying to overcome something in the present, or trying to
make changes for a better future, the Lord cares about you. He loves you. No matter what challenges you or your
loved ones are facing, no matter the pain or difficult feelings you may be experiencing, no matter what you’ve
done or what’s been done to you, there is hope. And that hope is found in Jesus Christ.

God has a plan for your life, and it begins with a personal relationship with Jesus. The most important
decision you can ever make is whether you will accept His invitation. If you have never made that decision,
these four simple truths can help you start your journey together with Him.

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord,
‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.’”
(Jeremiah 29:11)

God’s Purpose for You: Salvation

What was God’s motivation in sending Jesus Christ to earth? To express His love for you by saving you! The
Bible says, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish
but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through
him” (John 3:16–17).

What was Jesus’ purpose in coming to earth? To forgive your sins, to empower you to have victory over sin,
and to enable you to live a fulfilled life! Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full”
(John 10:10).

The Problem: Sin

What exactly is sin? Sin is living independently of God’s standard—knowing what is wrong and doing it
anyway—also knowing what is right and choosing not to do it. The apostle Paul said, “I know that nothing good
lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I
don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway” (Romans 7:18–19 nlt).

What is the major consequence of sin? Spiritual death, eternal separation from God. The Bible says, “Your
iniquities [sins] have separated you from your God” (Isaiah 59:2). Scripture also says, “The wages of sin is death,
but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

God’s Provision for You: The Savior

Can anything remove the penalty for sin? Yes! Jesus died on the cross to personally pay the penalty for your
sins. The Bible says, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”
(Romans 5:8).

What is the solution to being separated from God? Belief in (entrusting your life to) Jesus Christ as the
only way to God the Father. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except
through me” (John 14:6). The Bible says, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved . . .” (Acts 16:31).
 Your Part: Surrender

Give Christ control of your life, entrusting yourself to Him. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must
deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever
loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”
(Matthew 16:24–26).

Place your faith in (rely on) Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and reject your “good works” as
a means of earning God’s approval. The Bible says, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is
not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9).

Has there been a time in your life when you know you’ve humbled your heart and received Jesus Christ as
your personal Lord and Savior—giving Him control of your life? You can tell God that you want to surrender
your life to Christ in a simple, heartfelt prayer like this:

“God, I want a real relationship with you.

I admit that many times I’ve chosen to go my own way instead of your way.
Please forgive me for my sins.
Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins.
Come into my life to be my Lord and my Savior.
Change me from the inside out and make me
the person you created me to be.
In your holy name I pray. Amen.”

What Can You Now Expect?

When you surrender your life to Christ, you receive the Holy Spirit who empowers you to live a life pleasing
to God. The Bible says, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life . . .” (2 Peter 1:3). Jesus
assures those who believe with these words:

“Truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me
has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”
(John 5:24)

The information in this resource is intended as guidelines for healthy living. Please consult qualified
medical, legal, pastoral, and psychological professionals regarding individual concerns.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New International
Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights
reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are taken from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard
Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by
permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by
Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright
© 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.,
Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. P.O. Box 7, Dallas, TX 75221
Scripture quotations marked (NASB) are from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, hopefortheheart.org
1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
(www.Lockman.org)
© 2021 Hope for the Heart
 Questions for Reflection
God gives us His Word not just for information but for transformation. The Lord wants you to “be transformed
by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). This isn’t something you do alone, but something God does in you
by His Spirit.

The following questions are designed to help you reflect on the biblical truths in this resource. Take a moment
to pray and ask God to settle your mind and quiet your spirit as you reflect on His truth.

“Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord

will give you insight into all this.”
(2 Timothy 2:7)

What are two key truths, Bible verses, or “takeaways” from this resource that you found helpful—or that you
simply needed to be reminded of?

In relation to this topic, what behavior(s) do you need to begin, change, or stop in order to help you grow into
the person God created you to be?

In relation to this topic, what is the biggest obstacle you need to overcome in order to move forward?
What might your life look like a few years from now if you do not make changes regarding this issue? How
might your life be different if you do make changes?

Is there anyone in your life who needs help with this topic/issue? How can you pray for them, and what is one
thing you can do to encourage them?

What can you give thanks to God for today?

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself

and God our Father, who loved us
and by his grace gave us eternal comfort
and a wonderful hope,
comfort you and strengthen you
in every good thing you do and say.”
(2 T hessalonians 2:16–17 nlt)
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