In preparation for this week’s post, I invite you to read the blog for survivors first (Released.blog).

When children are abused and not helped, they are usually robbed of their assurance of safety and security. [Please note that when abused children receive immediate help, attention, care, and support, they are often able to recover quickly.] Places that should have been secure were not; adults who should have been trustworthy were not.

If you know of a survivor, try visualizing that person as a defenseless, resourceless child, wounded and abandoned in their hardest hour. Now let your heart go out to that child, who is still wounded and waiting for assistance.

Words will not help here. For survivors, words are often either meaningless or harmful. You must show that you are trustworthy by your actions. Be scrupulous to keep your promises, speak carefully and truthfully, show up when you say you will. Never gossip or say something unkind about a survivor. And when you fall short (because yes, you’re still human) apologize sincerely and strive to do better.

Above all, pray to be trustworthy and pray that the person will become aware of their safety in God, in part by seeing your good example.

Photo by Tamara Govedarovic on Unsplash.com