. . .even when your dad hurts you.

May I introduce you to Karen Rabbitt? She wrote Trading Fathers: Forgiving Dad, Embracing God, a memoir of her journey from brokenness to wholeness. It reveals the sexual abuse she experienced at four years old at the hand of her father. The abuse, the mixed messages, messed with emotional security.

Has suffering brought you hurt and confusion?

Suffering is deeply personal. Quick fixes don’t last. They may compound the pain. Logical explanations may offend you. Bible verses fall flat. You need help with the emotional problem of hurt. You need someone to listen, not judge.

Do you know that the path to your heart comes through your mind?

Truth matters. God reveals truth about himself, you and me, the world, evil, suffering, and redemption in Scripture.

Karen found out truth matters the hard way.

Immediate Healing?

When Karen became a Christian as a young adult, she expected immediate healing. It didn’t happen. She felt hurt, again. She asked God, “Where were you when I was abused?” Have you asked God this question? 

Karen continued to experience shame, depression, and emotional instability. Only when she allowed God’s truth to penetrate her mind and soul could she find comfort, understanding, and a compassion to help other hurting women.

God challenged her to do the seemingly impossible: forgive her father.

Forgive the Abuser?

You may have a story of abuse too. Or you may have experienced a different hurt. Rejection? Abandonment? Never being good enough?

As Karen sorted out the differences between her heavenly and earthly fathers — and discovered that truth matter and the heart can heal — so can you.

God is good.

He is just.

And powerful.

Loving.

Compassionate.

Forgiving.

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Col. 3:13, NIV

Hope!

Do you know the true God? The heavenly Father who doesn’t just give advice. He gives himself! 

God tells us that trials and suffering have a purpose. When you hurt you try to make sense out the the suffering. This is normal. We want relief.

The only path to real relief for your real hurt is this:

Choose to align your worldview with God’s timeless truth: Scripture. As you believe Scripture and act on your belief — loving God with all your mind, all your heart, and all your soul — you will find peace and contentment. You will know hope.