One of the tough topics that’s discussed in Four Stars over Ardatz: Journeys is sexual assault. This unfortunately is too often left undiscussed, especially among those who claim Christ. I think by taking a verse that says: “it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of [evildoers] in secret.” (Eph 5:12) We’ve given power to abusers and assailants. 

I know when I finally allowed my brain to unlock a sliver of a memory, I felt shame and guilt–not because it’d happened, but because I’d lied my whole life! Yet, by bringing it out into the open, by sitting with my mom and working through a secondary outcome, and by lots of prayer and Bible study, I was able to be freed of the shame and fear that assault had left in its wake.  

By having characters go through these horrific events (off the page) and walking through the healing process, I hope to bring about conversations, to provide a voice for those who feel as if they have no voice, and provide hope that there is a better outcome than what they’ve faced so far. 

How do you help those who’ve faced this? Remember last week’s post about how to talk about tough topics? The same applies here. The main thing you can do is provide a loving, nonjudgmental ear for them to share when they feel ready. If you’re a partner to a survivor of abuse, realize that things that had been fine earlier may now not be alright. Be patient with them and show love without touch.

A book, and even movies, make the process seem easy and/or quick. But that is as far from the truth as possible. Even if the healing comes relatively quickly (over the course of a year or so), years later triggers can arise that give fear a hold again. 

By speaking about this tough topic, we can free survivors of the shame that accompanies sexual assault and abuse. We provide them freedom and lift a burden that is too heavy for them to carry alone. 

If you’re a survivor and have no one to talk to, feel free to reach out. If you know a survivor, feel free to share either Kristjan’s Rise or Paskal’s Hope with them as books that may help them see that there is hope. Good resources for healing are The Wounded Heart by Dan Allender and Lord, Heal My Hurts by Kay Arthur. If you have troubles finding any of these resources, reach out to me, I can help you find them.

Speaking about hard topics can leave us feeling heavy and weighed down, but remember the goal is to shine light in the midst of darkness. To turn our scars into weapons of light.