Thursday, 28^th July, 2016.

Scripture Reading:                    Job 14:7.

Laura, a rape victim, tells her story: “I was raped when I was 13 years old on my way back from a tutorial class. Suddenly, a car parked besides me and some men jumped out of the car pulling me into the car. Hum… seven of them raped me. After the incidence, I became unconscious for two weeks, during which I was hospitalized”.

What a pathetic story! This is an example of gang rape. The effects of rape on teenagers could be physical or psychological (emotional pain). The physical effects include injury, like breaking the hymen, infections and even unwanted pregnancies.

The psychological effects include depression, low self esteem and post traumatic stress disorder such as rage, resentment, bitterness, horror, and hatred for the opposite sex, suicidal thoughts or sudden mood changes. Rape victims could be tempted to become drug addicts or chain smokers in a bid to relieve themselves the trauma.

HOW DO I GET OVER THE TRAUMA OF BEING RAPED?

1)   Accept the love Jesus has got to offer you- He is your Lord, savior and healer. Mat 11:28.

2)   Read to yourself Bible passages that washes away your past by the blood of Jesus and       gives hope to your future. e.g. 2Cor 5:17, Job 14:7, Psalm 139:14, Prov.4:18. Say loud to yourself : “My past cannot define my future, I can’t be a victim of my past,I have a glorious future”.

3)   Avoid those who remind you of your painful past.

4)   Surround yourself with people who truly care for you. Love heals… a broken heart.

5)   Deliberately read the testimonies of other rape victims. You may be surprised you will draw strength from such. Some other people’s stories are worse than yours, you know. Rev.12:11b.

6)   Convert your “mess” to “message”. Give hope to other rape victims. By sharing your story, you vomit out of your mind bitter poisonous emotions.

Heey…dust off the “negatives” of your past life and embrace the “positives” ahead of your future. Don’t you know? What is ahead of you is far bigger than what is behind you. Your past shouldn’t kill the glorious expectations of your future. I see God use your past as a spring board to catapult you to your next level in destiny. Stop that pity-party. You are not an object of shame nor ridicule. You are fearful and wonderfully made – God’s masterpiece!

ACTION WORD:       BOUNCE BACK!!!

PRAYER POINT:

1. The hurt of my past life hunting my future, I wash you away by the blood of Jesus.
2. River of love and peace from the gates of heaven, flood my hurting heart, in the name of Jesus.