Recovery Plan

Here are some resources that might be useful:

• Dan Allender (1990), The Wounded Heart Colorado: NavPress
• Jan Frank (1991), A Door of Hope: Recognizing and Resolving the Pains of Your Past SanBernardino, CA: Here's Life Pub.
• Carolyn H. Heggen (1993) Sexual Abuse in Christian Homes and Churches Waterloo: Herald Press

The JOURNEY

Remembering and talking;
Engaging with others in order to break the secrecy and the silence;
Engaging with the abuser
Importance of safety and control
Preparation (writing; journaling)
The intervention

The Benefits and Process of Forgiveness

What it is not:

• Not forgetting
• Not absolving the offender
• Not becoming a doormat
• Fully trusting the abuser from here on

What it is:

• The possibility of reconciliation.

Forgiving even if the abuser does not admit or change:

"By letting go, the offended refuses to let herself be held captive by the offenders unwillingness to repent. By letting go the abuse is robbed of its power to be an ongoing source of pain, despair and frustration. Extending unrequested forgiveness frees the offended to experience God's grace, healing and joy in her life despite lack of reconciliation with the offender."

Heggen (1993) p. 134

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The information and suggestions that are provided are not intended to take the place of talking to someone you trust to share your struggles. This could be a friend, family member, or a pastoral worker. Please contact us if you need advice on whether professional Christian Counselling would be helpful.