Article November 11, 1985 Issue

Healing the aftereffects of abuse

[Name withheld by request]

Recently, the news media have increased society's growing recognition of child abuse and its aftereffects. Consequently, there are many articles published on how others can help the victim. But what if you're the one who has been abused? Can you help yourself? Yes. By understanding that God is your only true Father-Mother, you can rise above the belief that you must suffer for the rest of your life.

God's love is tangible; anyone can feel it and be healed by it. No child of God is singled out to be hurt. God cares for all of His children, and it is a knowledge of man's spiritual relationship to God that frees us from trauma and its supposed after-effects.

As a young child I was sexually molested by my father. Because I was confused and frightened, I never told anyone. Throughout my teenage years, resentment and guilt often filled my thoughts. This continued even after I went away to college. My father was not a Christian Scientist, but I had attended a Christian Science Sunday School. I had seen many physical healings take place. I understood that Christian Science could also heal emotional problems. Turning to God for help seemed natural to me, and I knew it could bring a permanent solution. I knew that psychiatry or therapy was not the solution for me. I needed to overcome these feelings through an understanding of my spiritual nature and continue in my spiritual development rather than spend hours concentrating on a material past.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

The healing power of Christly tenderness