Abuse in a persons youth, is probably the worst thing that can happen to them. Abuse is more than the actual physical act. It permeates the mindset, thoughts patterns, emotional responses, in fact, every part of the young persons life. Even if they have been taught right ways of living, this evil interjection in their lives, will cause such sorrow and contaminate their attitudes to any number of things.

Abusers do not just seek to contaminate the body, but to warp the mind and soul. What is said to a young person is even more destructive than the physical infringement on that person.

It is not for no reason or lack of empathy that our Lord Jesus let abusers know that their judgment would be severe and perfunctory.

“Jesus invited a little child to stand among them. “Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”     Matthew 18:2-6

No abuser will get off from that judgment. There is no sea in heaven…

Anyone who leads others astray, or does anything to hurt another person in their inner life and soul, is already condemned. You don’t have to do much, just offend their sensibilities, and you will lose your soul forever.

Those who have been abused will receive pervasive help from the Lord as they cope with their hurt and dishonour. The Lord will lift up the downcast and make them rulers in His everlasting kingdom. They will suffer no loss. Some people, will wish to have justice at work for them, in this life, but many others will not. They depend on their Lord and God and He will honour them and make full amends for the unrighteousness of evil people. If abuse has been our experience, we do not have to suffer more, by reliving and continually opening the wounds. The Lord Himself will be our portion, and He can heal the soul and make it bright and loving for His sake and ours too.

Everlasting peace will be for all those who trust in Jesus the Saviour, and when His kingdom fully comes, all hurts will be put away, along with the unrepentant predator.