Mandy’s Story from Rid of my Disgrace.
I had to fight back tears when reading this, but I am thankful for this book. It, at times, feels as though the shame and guilt that Satan impresses upon those who have gone through such tragedies is unbearable, but there is victory for us in the Gospel, in the cross, and in forgiveness. As I’ve seen in my life truly God uses all things for his Glory and even in such heinous acts, God can bring about joy and reconciliation. Let us rejoice in the God who pursues and loves us, who restores and redeems us.
From the Resurgence Blog Post:
…my heart was soft toward God, and I asked him what else he had for me. I remember driving to work saying, “Is there more, here?” And that’s when it hit me. I saw their faces. I saw the men who raped me and felt a surprising compassion towards them. I began to cry out for them, “God save them.” Just as I was an enemy of God in need of reconciliation, so they need to be reconciled by the blood of Christ. I wept for them for quite a while and still often find myself tearing up on their behalf, wishing that I could see them face- to-face and tell them of a great God who is bigger than their harmful acts of violence, who loves them to the point of crushing his own Son to deliver them from death. This forgiveness was a miracle. I have found freedom in loving them with the love of Christ. My anger, bitterness, resentment, escape, numbness, denial, self-pity, or any other response is not capable of removing their sin. Nothing but the blood of Christ will pay their debt.
And so I can look back on that night, recognizing the fullness of the pain God counted me worthy to suffer, and also look on it with the joy of knowing my God in a more intimate and magnificent way. It has become a mark of God’s help in my life, a place where he ordained healing for me… and possibly even for those men. I would be overjoyed to someday raise our hands together in worship of the God who brings life out of darkness.
Wow…I think I should get that book….I’ve heard about it recently and given the high number of people who are victims of abuse I think it’s important that I get to know what to do with counseling those who are victims. Thanks brother.
Thanks Jim! Do get the book I can certainly see the benefits for pastors on better relating the gospel in these type of counseling situations.