Providing Comfort for Victims of Abuse

"The God of all comfort . . . comforts us in all our trials." 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3, 4.

HUMANS have a natural need for comfort and a remarkable ability to provide it.  For instance,  when a little child falls and skins his knee while playing, he may run to Mommy or Daddy, crying.  The parents  cannot heal the wound, but they can comfort the child.  They may ask what happened, wipe away his tears, offer soothing words and affection, and perhaps apply some medicine or a bandage. Before long,  the child stops crying and may even resuming playing.  In time, the wound will heal. 

Sometimes, though, children are hurt in far worse ways.  Some are sexually abused. The abuse can inflicted on  a single occasion, or it may go on for years. In either case, the abuse can leave deep emotional scars. In some cases, the offender is caught and punished. In other cases, the abuser may seem to escape justice. But even if justice is swift, the harmful effects of the abuse my last well into adulthood. 

If a Christian who was abused as a child still struggles with emotional pain as an adult, what help is available?  (Read 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4.)  Clearly, it is Jehovah's will that his sheep receive the love and comfort they need. So let us address three questions:  (1) Why may those who have endured child abuse need comfort? (2) Who can provide the comfort needed? (3) How can we offer comfort effectively?

Next time: Providing Comfort for Victims of Abuse - WHY IS COMFORT NEEDED?

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