In spite of having a loving God, many horrible things can happen when we live in a mortal world. It’s not because God isn’t loving. It’s because we are in a state of our eternal existence where satan is constantly at work tempting children of God to listen to his whispers so he can create destruction and misery and separate us from our true, empowered identity. He wants us to disconnect from our relationship with God, our Heavenly Father. He wants us to lose faith and trust in God’s mighty power to heal and save.
When we are born into the world, we are born in a state of innocence. We are guiltless and free from moral wrongdoing. We are not cunning or manipulative. We lack knowledge and understanding. We need to be loved and taught in an environment of safety and security so we can grow toward filling our potential.
Unfortunately many of God’s precious children have become the wounded innocent. Some have been scarred by the cruel sin of abuse. This is the result of some of God’s children using their freedom to choose in a way that violates His commandments. They act out in ways that disrespect others. They use force or coercion and may act against you in ways that are entirely against your will.
Richard G. Scott puts it beautifully into words. He has said, “Your abuse results from another’s unrighteous attack on your freedom. … Their acts may cause pain, anguish, even physical harm, but they cannot destroy your eternal possibilities in this brief but crucial life on earth. You must understand that you are free to determine to overcome the harmful results of abuse. … You may feel threatened by one who is in a position of power or control over you. You may feel trapped and see no escape. Please believe that your Heavenly Father does not want you to be held captive by unrighteous influence, by threats of reprisal, or by fear of repercussion to the family member who abuses you. Trust that the Lord will lead you to a solution. Ask in faith, nothing doubting. (See James 1:6)”
The following is an exerpt from my ebook, JOURNALriffic.
“Whether you grew up in an intact family or were born into a family that feels broken and full of destructive tendencies and influences, I think we can all agree that somewhere, deep inside us, there is a desire to leave our life story better than we found it. Somehow, each of us wants to know that our life has meaning and purpose and that our personal existence makes a positive difference in the world.
Noted psychologist and family therapist, Dr. Carlfred Broderick, acknowledges that some of our families are “drowning in sickness and sin.” He believes that some individuals are born into such family lines in order to become the means of helping to end “generations of ugly, destructive, family relationships” so that “downstream from [their] purifying influence, every generation would be blessed.”
I agree with him.
Even today, I acknowledge, as he did, that many of God’s children suffer innocently as a result of the toxic, pernicious choices of others. It is my belief that countless men and women desire to do whatever it takes to make sure such poisonous actions stop with them so that other individuals in their present-day life and those who are born after them will not suffer. No matter our heritage, one way or another, we all seem to learn who we’re not, before we remember our innate, inner worth and learn to elevate our thoughts, attitudes and actions to be in alignment and harmony with who we really are.
Good men and women of all ages and circumstances have caught the vision of doing their own part to the best of their ability. They act on their desire to improve and heal the negative influence of their own less-than-ideal thought patterns, habits, limiting beliefs and unproductive family patterns. By doing so, they seek to avert problems that can lead to depression, discouragement, despair and despondency. They mass their inner strength to meet their challenges head-on. They take steps and make efforts to have a positive influence on those they love and those within their sphere of influence. I call all of these sincere, determined men and women TODAY’s ChangeMakers™. I recognize them as individuals who refuse to give up on creating positive change in spite of the odds.”
If you are among the wounded innocent, you are not alone. Let’s join together and rise and shine. Each day is a new day of growth and possibilities.
Again, in the words of Richard G. Scott,
“If you feel there is only a thin thread of hope, believe me, it is not a thread. It can be the unbreakable connecting link to the Lord which puts a life preserver around you. He will heal you as you cease to fear and place your trust in him by striving to obey his teachings.
Please, don’t suffer more. Ask now for the Lord to help you. … Don’t view all that you experience in life through lenses darkened by the scars of abuse. There is so much in life that is beautiful. Open the windows of your heart and let the love of the Savior in. And should ugly thoughts of past abuse come back, remember his love and his healing power. Your depression will be converted to peace and assurance. You will close an ugly chapter and open volumes of happiness.”2
Let us begin!
Resources
Heal the heartbreak of dysfunction and stress in yourself and your family line.
End the isolation of feeling alone in your journey to create positive change with these helpful classes, coaching and small group connections. Check out ReNEW YOU Classes and Joyful Breakthrough Membership Circles.
*****
1 Calton, Carolyn L. JOURNALriffic. Highlands Ranch; Charlie Ink Productions and Publications. 2015. Kindle Edition.
2 Scott, Richard G. “Healing the Tragic Scars of Abuse.” Ensign. April 1992.
*****
Disclosure of Material Connection: I am disclosing that I am the author of JOURNALriffic and the ReNEW YOU Classes and Joyful Breakthrough Membership Circles mentioned in this article.
My heart goes out to those who have suffered these types of wounds.
You have a compassionate heart, JoJo. Life gets filled with more and more loving-kindness when we empathize with the pain of others, as you have done.- There’s certainly a thread of humanity that rises up within each of us when we reach out to others with our hearts–even though everyone’s circumstances are different.