Because there is not an easy button in life...things take time, and when it is as deep of a hurt, as that caused by abuse, it is only by the divine power of Christ and the truth of God's Word that can set one free and make them whole. God does not promise us that things will be easy or fast, just that He will finish what He has started and so we just have to be faithful and keep trusting in Him because...
"The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.
The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.
You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
The LORD is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.
The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy."
Psalms 145:13b-20
The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.
You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
The LORD is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.
The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy."
Psalms 145:13b-20
2. What is Christ's attitude toward children? Toward abuse of children?
Jesus loves Children, in fact, He told the adults that they had to become like a child in order to enter the kingdom of heaven...Children have an innocence and they completely trust, believe, and love without holding back.
God is love, and love would never want something to harm a small innocent child or any person of any age...so I would say that Jesus has some pretty strong feelings and attitudes towards abuse.
3. Why might Matthew 18:6-10 refer to childhood victimization?
Because of the wording (see below, the yellow text marks the key words that may suggest that Jesus was referring to childhood victimization):
6 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
8 “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.
10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.
4. How do you feel about forgiving those who offended or hurt you?
I know that it can be hard to forgive someone who has hurt you deeply. And I know that for some it may seem like forgiving lets the offender off of the hook. But the truth is, that holding on to un-forgiveness only hurts you. The offender has no clue that you are still holding on to those horrible feelings, and it effects their life very little. You see their punishment will come...God is a fair and righteous judge and we must leave revenge in His hands, He will take care of it. When we hold on to un-forgiveness, we help Satan hold us captive...we must forgive in order to be free and it allows God to start the healing process, and then He can bring restoration and rebuild those ruins to reveal their magnificent beauty!
