Article February 18, 2002 Issue

Your worth—recovered spiritually

By Richard Bergenheim, Contributing Editor

I WAS SPEAKING with a grandparent the other day who was in great anguish of heart after learning that a grandchild had been molested for several years. The family had contacted the proper authorities, but that wasn't doing anything to help with the surge of emotions that was tearing them apart. It was difficult for them to think about how to help the child. The anger, fear, disgust, feeling of betrayal, and sorrow were hindering their efforts to assist the child in this time of great need.

One of the challenges to helping people who have suffered in this way is the conviction many have that abuse leaves life-long mental scars. Often it harms one's sense of self-worth and prevents the formation of healthy relationships.

A spiritually-based form of help starts from an opposite basis than a psychological one. It recognizes that God's child is created permanently pure and undefiled. This assures us that the great Shepherd, the God who is Love and Spirit, can wash us all clean. One of the promises found in the New Testament is that this Spirit makes all things new. Jesus taught that we can, that we must, be "born again"—and have an entirely new sense of identity.

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