Dealing with Pain from the Past

By John Weaver

July 1, 2025

I have felt called to address this subject for a long time, but I find it difficult. It is like a splinter that was never re-moved. The pain continues.

Abuse of any kind is horrible. Sexual abuse is probably the worst of the worst. For a person to become so per-verted that they will take away the in-nocence of a child to satisfy their own lust is beyond comprehension. Yet it happens. Not just out there. It is ram-pant in the church. God help us.

Jesus said concerning a child: “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Mt 18:6). It would be much, much better.

God probably literally has a special place in Hell for the unrepentant abus-er. We can and should believe God when He said, “…Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Rm 12:19).

Now, for my message: How does a per-son deal with the horrible pain that comes from abuse? Horrible, often per-verted abuse, or maybe other kinds of abuse: physical, emotional, whatever. It is painful. It hurts deeply. How can a person deal with, or cope?

We must…we must...LET GO.

Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Mt 11:28-30).

Don’t forgive for the abuser’s benefit, but for yours. To let go, to forgive, will set the captive free. The captive is you.

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (Jn 8:36). Release the past and then wholeheart-edly embrace the future with Jesus. He will comfort your soul. He will guide you and, unlike mankind, He will never let you down.

The daily news is filled with articles about those who are and were abused and the men who abused them. Bad as it is, it can be expected out there. When those who profess Christianity and do such things...there are no words. Lord, help us.

My heart goes out, even beyond words, to the victims of abuse. I endured abuse (not sexual) as a child and beyond. Many years later, I faced my pain and hurts. I acknowledged that it was pain-ful, that it hurt. But then I chose to re-lease, let go, just let go. Release anyone who hurt me. When I did, oh, the re-lease! I was free.

I embraced a relationship with Jesus. The past had no hold on me anymore.

I know that these words I have written are inadequate to the victim of abuse. However, we really have just two choices: We can let go, or we can hold on. By holding on, we continue to re-live the nightmare. By letting go, we can start to heal. The choice is ours.

There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus. No, not one. No, not one.

None else could heal all our souls’ diseases

No, not one. No, not one.

Jesus knows all about our struggles.

He will guide till the day is done.

There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus. No, not one. No, not one.

AMEN.

“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.”

(Psalm 147:3)