Seattle Christian Counseling Logo

  • ServicesRead about the expertise available
    • Individual ServicesAddress your personal concerns confidentially
      • ADHD
      • Abandonment and Neglect
      • Aging and Geriatric Issues
      • Anger Management
      • Anxiety
      • Autism Spectrum Disorder
      • Bipolar Disorder
      • Chemical Dependency
      • Coaching
      • Counseling for Children
      • Counseling for Teens
      • Codependency
      • Depression
      • Eating Disorders
      • EMDR
      • Grief and Loss
      • Individual Counseling
      • Infidelity and Affairs
      • Lifespan Integration Therapy
      • Men’s Issues
      • OCD
      • Personal Development
      • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
      • Professional Development
      • Psychological Testing
      • Relationship Issues
      • Sex And Porn Addiction
      • Sexual Abuse
      • Spiritual Development
      • Trauma
      • Weight Loss
      • Women’s Issues
    • Christian Couples CounselingWork through challenges together
      • Couples Counseling
      • Premarital Counseling
      • Marriage Counseling
      • Marriage Intensive
    • Family CounselingEstablish the peaceful home you desire
      • Couples Counseling
      • Counseling for Teens
      • Counseling for Children
      • Family Counseling
    • Group CounselingBenefit from the support of others
      • Men’s Sexual Addiction Recovery
        Group – Chris Chandler
      • Anxiety and Depression Counseling
        Group for Teens and Adolescents
      • All Counseling Groups
    • Online Counseling
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Marriage Counseling
    • Sexual Addiction
  • LocationsChoose from our variety of office locations
    • AnacortesAnacortes
    • Bellevue
    •  1Bothell
    • Edmonds
    •  1Everett
    •  1Federal Way
    • kentKent
    • Kirkland Christian CounselingKirkland
    • Lacey Christian CounselingLacey
    •  1Mill Creek
    • The Rhythm Reset: How to Navigate Boundaries and Stress 1Monroe
    • Oak Harbor Office OutsideOak Harbor
    • Poulsbo
    •  1Puyallup
    •  1Redmond
    •  1Seattle Ballard
    •  1Seattle Downtown
    • Seattle Greenlake
    • Silverdale Office FrontSilverdale
    •  1Spokane
    • Spokane ValleySpokane Valley
    •  1Tacoma
    • Vancouver
    •  1Online Counseling
  • CounselorsFind the best counselor for your needs
  • CareersBecome an affiliated Christian counselor
  • (206) 388-3929Please give us a call, we are here to help
header-image

How Can Christian Counseling Help With Sexual Abuse and Hopelessness?

Seattle Christian Counseling
https://seattlechristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/ID-10080679.jpg 323 400
https://seattlechristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/seattle-greenlake-6-scaled.jpg
https://seattlechristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/cropped-cropped-seattle-logo.png
6827 Oswego Place NE, Suite B
SEATTLE, WA 98115
United States
6827 Oswego Place NE, Suite B
SEATTLE, WA 98115
United States
Photo of Erik Mildes

Erik Mildes

Mar
2013
07

How Can Christian Counseling Help With Sexual Abuse and Hopelessness?

Erik Mildes

Sexual AbuseTrauma

Victims of sexual abuse wrestle with a wide range of feelings. One of these feelings is the feeling of hopelessness. A victim of sexual abuse might think, “Nobody was there to stop the abuse, there was nothing I could have done to stop the abuse, therefore, the situation was hopeless, and now I am hopeless.”

sexual abuse and hopelessness

Unfortunately, a feeling of hopelessness can be devastating to the victim of sexual abuse as they grown, mature, and begin to make choices. Feeling hopeless can result in a person becoming a perpetual victim to life and circumstances, creating a hindrance to take control of their life, actions, thoughts, and preventing them from moving forward.

Dan Allender, in his book, The Wounded Heart says, “I do not believe a victim of abuse can ever rightfully say, “I am utterly helpless now and in the future to stop destructive behaviors or change the direction of my life.”

Like us if you are enjoying this content.

The devastation caused from sexual abuse is great. However, sometimes the greatest damage is found in those feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.

From this perspective, it is easy to understand why victims of sexual abuse may struggle to identify God as good, caring, or present, “If God could not stop the abuse, then surely my life is hopeless!”

Allender identifies that often times, “Abuse provides the raw data that seems to prove that God is not good.” He continues by addressing how these feelings affect our ability to trust God, “Trust is foolish; therefore, I am compelled to live my life independent of God’s will. My experience seems directly to contradict God’s promise to provide for and protect my soul, so I am excused from the weighty demands of holiness and justified in failing to reflect God’s glory in my life.”

Victims of sexual abuse can feel isolated from others as they wrestle with feelings of trust. If they cannot trust God, can they trust others? Or is their life indeed hopeless?

Dan Allender  clearly states that, “No victim is responsible for having been abused. But abuse does provide strong reasons, potent stories, to ask, “Where was God? Does he love me” can I trust Him? If I can, what am I to trust Him for?” The devilishness of abuse is that it does Satan’s work of deceiving children and adults about God’s true nature and encouraging them to mistrust Him. Fearing to trust God, the abuse victim will naturally choose other gods to provide her with life; whether alcohol, promiscuity, or approval seeking.”

However, this does not have to be the story for you. If hopelessness and helplessness have taken a hold of your life, or if you feel as if you cannot trust God, know that this is not the story that God has written for you.

Unfortunately, other people’s actions can damage us. Regardless, God’s plan is to heal us, to walk with us, and to offer His unending hope and love to us.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. — Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

God has given you a promise of healing. His plan for your life is good. He wants you to prosper and he never intended harm for you. If other people did harm you, remember that was not a part of His plan for your life. But what God does offer – even after the abuse – is hope and a future.

Maybe the enemy has deceived you and made you believe that there is no hope for your life, yet God whispers to you, “I have a plan for you, I offer hope and a future.”

If you wrestle with feelings of hopelessness as a result of sexual abuse, know that there is hope. Christian counseling is a way to help you sort through those feelings and find the promise of a hope and a future. You can regain control of your life and move forward. And you do not have to do it alone.

 

Photos
cc: freedigitalphotos.net – “Man Grabbing Steel Cage” by bejim

DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this article are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please contact one of our counselors for further information.

  • Share on Facebook
  • Tweet it
  • ↑ Back to top
Photo of Erik Mildes
Erik is currently not accepting new clients

Erik Mildes

Licensed Counselor and Clinical Supervisor
(425) 939-9934 erik@seattlechristiancounseling.com

I believe in the healing, transformative promises of Christ. I also believe in His patience, and have had the privilege of seeing God’s grace work miracles in the lives of my clients. As a Master’s level Mental Health Counselor, I’m honored to act as a vessel for the Lord, one that will help you discover healing and growth. I help people recover from issues like abuse, depression, anxiety, broken relationships, spiritual concerns, and more. Whatever you’re going through, I offer you support, experience, and hope for a new, Christ-filled future. Read more articles by Erik »

Other articles that might interest you...

Christian Counseling and Working through Sexual Abuse
Photo of Erik Mildes

Erik Mildes

Christian Counseling and Working ...

To study psychological trauma is to come face to face both with human vulnerability in the natural world and with...

continue reading »
Christian Counseling and Subtle Sexual Abuse
Photo of Erik Mildes

Erik Mildes

Christian Counseling and Subtle Sexual ...

In my last article on the categories of sexual abuse, I gave an overview of four different types: subtle, confusing, overt,...

continue reading »
How Christian Counseling Can Help With Sexual Addiction 1
Seattle Christian Counseling

How Christian Counseling Can Help With ...

Are you weighed down by guilt and shame because of your sexual behavior, but unsure where you can turn for...

continue reading »

About Erik

Photo of Erik Mildes

Erik Mildes, LMHC, MA

Licensed Counselor and Clinical Supervisor

I believe in the healing, transformative promises of Christ. I also believe in His patience, and have had the privilege of seeing God’s grace work miracles in the lives of my clients. As a Master’s level Mental Health Counselor, I’m honored to act as a vessel for the Lord, one that will help you discover healing and growth. I help people recover from issues like abuse, depression, anxiety, broken relationships, spiritual concerns, and more. Whatever you’re going through, I offer you support, experience, and hope for a new, Christ-filled future. View Erik's Profile

Recent articles by Erik

  • May 19 · 5 Practical Steps to Overcome Your Fear of Abandonment
  • Apr 20 · Surviving Infidelity: 8 Steps to Affair Recovery
  • Jun 17 · Four Bible Verses about Anxiety: Scriptures to Comfort You
See all articles by Erik »

Related Services

  • Sexual Abuse
  • Trauma

Erik's Office Locations

  • Photo of the Bothell office

    Bothell

    Washington

    General Office Number

    (425) 939-7959
    10116 Main St,, Suite 204 Bothell, WA 98011

    View Office Details
Seattle Christian Counseling Logo
Seattle Christian Counseling
Professional help with faith-based values
Welcome to Seattle Christian Counseling. We are an association of professional, independently licensed Christian counselors with more than 20 office locations throughout Washington state for your convenience, including the Seattle neighborhoods of Greenlake, Ballard, and Downtown Lower Queen Anne. We look forward to meeting you soon.
© 2023 Seattle Christian Counseling. All rights reserved.
6827 Oswego Place NE, Suite B, Seattle, WA 98115. Tel (206) 388-3929.
Facebook Twitter Online Counseling About Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Feel free to contact us!
COVID-19 Service Update: We are still open for business. In office and online counseling is available if needed.