Abuse

[Margaret]

Abuse is rampant in our society and chances are high that in a group of ten women, at least four have suffered some kind of physical or sexual abuse. This is not an easy thing to share, I realize but, if you’re able, would you share if you’ve ever experienced any kind of physical or sexual abuse in your life? And if you’ve received healing from your past hurts? Personal note from the author: I’m always quick to add that healing from abuse doesn’t mean we’ll forget those hurts. Far from it. As Rick Warren says, if we’ll let him…God will use our greatest area of pain to bring the greatest healing and opportunity for ministry. Like Annabelle, I was sexually abused repeatedly as a young girl. My perpetrator was not someone in my immediate family and is no longer living. In writing Revealed, God took me back to moments in my life that I would rather not have revisited again. But he did it in order to cleanse me and make me whole, to restore my innocence. And he can do that for you too. He’s waiting to do that for you. As you know, Annabelle had been abused as a young girl and was then sold into a life of prostitution. She felt unclean and sullied and was certain she’d never be able to cast off those feelings of being dirty and used. On pg 261, (top of the page just before the scene break) she has an epiphany moment. Read this scene and discuss its importance in her life and how this was necessary in her healing.