These past weeks the news has been filled with stories of football players abusing women and children. I am a huge Vikings fan. I have wonderful memories of sitting on my dad’s lap at six years old and asking him what all the numbers on the screen meant. I think I asked him weekly what first and ten meant. I am trying to separate these events from the sport I love. It has become very difficult. The news clips are very disturbing, so much so that I have to leave the room or turn the channel.

I know what it’s like to trust the untrustworthy. I know what it’s like to fear someone you love. I know what it is like to be a victim. To this day the sound of a snapping belt triggers instant fear and panic.

Victims carry scars with them for a lifetime. I was sexually abused at two and a half and forever changed. Fears and emotional seeds have been planted. They will continue to develop and eventually sprout. When it does sprout, it is not a healthy young plant, but rather a seedling built on fear and mistrust. It can never be healthy. Or can it?

11-17 “Afflicted city, storm-battered, unpitied:
I’m about to rebuild you with stones of turquoise,
Lay your foundations with sapphires,
construct your towers with rubies,
Your gates with jewels,
and all your walls with precious stones.
All your children will have God for their teacher—
what a mentor for your children!
You’ll be built solid, grounded in righteousness,
far from any trouble—nothing to fear!
far from terror—it won’t even come close!
If anyone attacks you,
don’t for a moment suppose that I sent them,
And if any should attack,
nothing will come of it.
I create the blacksmith
who fires up his forge
and makes a weapon designed to kill.
I also create the destroyer—
but no weapon that can hurt you has ever been forged.
Any accuser who takes you to court
will be dismissed as a liar.
This is what God’s servants can expect.
I’ll see to it that everything works out for the best.”
God’s Decree. (Isaiah 54:11-17 MSG.)

I love this scripture. God will reclaim what was meant to destroy us and rebuild us so that everything works out for His good. He can and will take away the fear, anger and all the scars. He can and will change the heart. He can and will use what was meant for destruction for good. He can and will do this for ALL of His children.

There is hope for those of us who have been victims, who have been hurt by life, those who suffer. It’s hope found in Jesus. It’s hope promised by God. It’s hope for everyone who seeks it.
I am proof of what He can and will do. I am proof that there is hope. There are the kinds of scars that are so easily passed on to our future generations if we don’t embrace God’s redeeming, restoring grace.

Many us carry these family scars. We can change the future. We can take our place in allowing God to use us for good. We can declare that no weapon forged against us shall prosper.
God will restore you and use your life as a testimony of His love and grace. Do you want it? These stories will unfortunately continue to hit the news. We can be the voices that declare hope and change for all involved. Will you add your voice?

Have you experienced this kind of grace and mercy? Share your story here. Are you looking for this kind of grace and mercy? Ask your questions, we want to share the good news.