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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Writing a Letter (handwritten correspondence) (10/21/10)
This is a letter to any adult who was sexually abused as a child. There IS hope! I was also sexually abused as a child. I know- you may feel dirty and ashamed. You may feel self-abusive or maybe suicidal. There is light at the end of the tunnel! Here are some steps I found helpful.

1. Get the support and assistance you need. I found going to a councilor very helpful.

2. Work through your feelings. They will NOT destroy you. I remember thinking my feelings were so strong that they would take over and it would be like a bomb going off within me. That is why you may need a professional who knows how to help you work through these very strong and scary emotions.

3. Your faith can help you through this hard time. I remember I was so angry at Jesus and couldn’t understand why he didn’t make the people stop sexually abusing me. After much prayer and going to a spiritual advisor I realized each person has free will and Jesus was with me during those times and knew the pain I felt. It was reassuring to know I didn’t even have to explain what happened. He already knew not only what happened but how it felt.

4. Be patient with yourself. This will take time. Know that you won’t be alone Jesus is right beside you.

5. After much emotional and spiritual work I was able to forgive the people who abused me. There was such freedom!!!

6. Now I try and bring the healing and compassion I experienced with Jesus through my books and I have started a company called Voice of Joy! I will talk to groups, companies, conferences, workshops, churches about topics related our sacredness and holiness within ourselves, others, and nature. One of the topics is how we can live our faith in a stressful world.

I am so excited about my future and my life. Sexual abuse doesn’t have to be a life sentence for victims! There is hope! My prayer is that you will discover the holy and sacred person you are.
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This article has been read 879 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Melinda Todd
10/28/10
Wow, you and I were on the same wave length for this challenge! My letter was to my abuser! Great advice and thankfully, Christ has seen me through this and given me peace with my abuse. My letter is the first one on the list, Confronting My Abuser.
Mildred Sheldon
10/28/10
WHOA! WOW! I cannot say enough about your letter. Beautifully written and yes it can help those who have been sexually abused. Thank you.
10/30/10
Thank you for sharing and putting into action how Jesus can get us through these atrocious acts that are forced upon us by others. It is very encouraging indeed to learn of someone surrendering their pain to God and letting him help bring good from the bad.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
10/31/10
Thank you for giving hope to many. Sexual abuse is an extremely difficult sin to wrap one's mind around. Sharing your experience will help many take their first step in their own road to healing.
Jan Ackerson
10/31/10
This is a very informative article; I hope it finds its audience.

Despite the word 'letter' in the title, I felt that this was largely off-topic, as it's really more of an essay than a handwritten correspondence.

Nevertheless, it's a very important subject, and I'm glad you've shared it here.
Nancy Bucca
11/03/10
There is much good encouragement and hope in this article. A couple typos and/or misspellings here and there (for example, the spelling of the word 'counselor'), but other than that, well written. Good job!
Nancy Sullivan 
11/04/10
Great job of stepping up with such helpful information for others. You really reached out on this one by sharing your experience. God Bless.