I am thinking of another shelter in place. The refuge of God. The hiding place in God. The strong tower of God.
There has been a great deal spoken and written about the positive benefits of people staying at home. I had a horrid thought while praying this morning. What about those children, teens, and wives who are being abused physically, sexually, and emotionally during this time.
A retired pastor friend of mine told me yesterday that domestic violence is escalating across the nation during this crisis. He spoke with a county judge who gave him that information. Some families shut up at home is a night mare. It is open season on children as sexual assaults escalate. Domestic violence arises as people who do not really love, trust, serve or honor one another cannot get along. There are battered wives. Beat up boys. Slapped around daughters. Violated minors who are scared out of their minds and have nowhere to turn for help. They are trapped.
Where is the shelter in place for those people? Home has become a war zone. The house a prison from which there is no escape. Abusers fill themselves with the devil's brew giving false courage. They inflict pain on those they are supposed to protect. The victims have no escape. They are trapped. Each night and day a continuation of a night mare that will not end. Where is the protection for them? Where is the refuse from the ravaging abuse? Where can they go to hide?
I wish I had the words to communicate how this sickens my stomach. I feel helpless to do anything to help. By chance if someone who is experiencing that lays their eyes on these words I say find refuge in God. Hide in God. Let God shelter you in the storm. Find comfort in Him. Seek healing in Him.
It would be easy to get bitter at God for even allowing such horrid things to happen. Sinners choose sin. They always have. People decide to rebel against God and His ways. The violate the very commands God set in place to protect His people. Remember sinners choose sin. Hurt people hurt other people.
I am sorry this is happening to you. I pray for your deliverance. It is not your fault. You were fearfully and wonderfully made by God. He designed you beautifully. I don't care what you have been told or what names have been thrown at you. You have value to God. You are valuable to Him.
How can I say that you ask? By the price He willingly paid for you. You see, He gave His Son. His only Son. To be abused also. They arrested Jesus though He committed no trespasses. They beat Him. Bloodied Him with their whips. Cruelly tortured Him. To climax they nailed Him to the cross. Jesus knows all about abuse. He can identify with you. So can I. I was both sexually abused and physically abused as a child. The psychological wounds have been much more difficult to deal with than the physical wounds.
I am not a victim. When I met Jesus as my Savior I found He was my shelter in place. I am not a victim because Jesus healed old wounds. Wounds of the heart and mind. He offers to do the same for you. He can deliver you. Deliver you from the abuse. He can also deliver you from the bitterness and brokenness that follows abuse. I know. I've experienced both healings. I am no longer a victim. I am a victor through what Jesus did for me. He can do the same for you.
Cry out to Jesus as your Savior and Deliverer. Give Him your broken heart, mind and body. Let Him begin the work of healing. Surrender your life to Him.
I may not know your name. I do not know your address or the nature of your abuse. I can pray. Pray for you. In your pain I pray for your relief and refuge. You are not forgotten. God brought you to my mind and heart. Maybe this little post is God's way of reminding you that He has not forgotten you. If you can find a Bible I point you to Psalm 46:1. That one verse has brought more comfort to me in hard times than any other verse in the Bible. I pray God use it to help you. He is your shelter in place. Rely on Him and I will pray for your soon deliverance.
Psalm 46:1 (ESV)
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