And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” Genesis 3:11-13
For many years I talked about my past abuse in gory detail to anyone who would listen. Deep inside, whether I was aware of it or not, I wanted people to pity me. I wanted them to understand that I was a victim, and therefore not responsible for the sad state of affairs my life had fallen into. Like Adam and Eve, I passed the blame on to others.
What can we do when we have been a victim of bad things? We can take responsibility of our lives and give them over to the care of God. When I did that I was able to let the past stay in the past. (Isaiah 43:18). I was able to forgive (Ephesians 4:32). I made amends to people I had hurt. (Matthew 5:23-24) I was also able to have a deep relationship with God that started with me taking ownership of my own sins and character defects. (Prov. 28:13) Prayer became a powerful tool that changed my life. (Psalm 23:4).
Everything we need to heal our past wounds is living within Christ, and He freely gives it to us. We only have to ask. (Matthew 7:7). We don’t have to feel like a victim, we can feel victorious in Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57).
F.R.O.G. Practice: Give your life to God today. Let Him heal you. Let Him guide you.