Light in the clouds, Author Axel Kristinsson of Reykjavik, Iceland (CC- BY-2.0)
“Do not be discouraged. You…[may] not have the power to relieve yourself of sorrow or grief or pain. But Our Lord did [have that power] on the Cross. He could have turned the crown of thorns into a garland of rosebuds…He was tempted to shorten His agony, as those at the foot of the Cross taunted [Him]…But He did not come down. It is human to come down, but it is divine to hang there.”
Our Grounds for Hope, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
Jesus suffered and died to restore the relationship between God and man for us, a relationship sin in its many forms had fractured [1]. His sacrifice bought our freedom from sin. We can throw those shackles down.
But believing ourselves included in Jesus’ work on the cross can be a special challenge for the victims of abuse. Often, we mistakenly take on the abuser’s guilt – feeling “unworthy” of Salvation, as if we had somehow brought on the molestation or “deserved” the abuse.
Many of us are prone to workaholism. We strive past the point of exhaustion, in the belief our best efforts would not suffice. It never occurs to us that Salvation might not be dependent on our efforts, but rather Christ’s.
“For if by the one man’s offense death reigned…much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ” (Romans 5: 17).
There is no qualification standard for Salvation in Christ. He meets us where we are, even if we are broken and lost. It was for the broken and lost He came.
Originally posted 2/16/14
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ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse 
This is beautiful truth, thank for for sharing this.
I wrote a song recently that fits with what you said here. “You are never too broken, you haven’t fallen so far, that God’s grace cannot find you, wherever you are.”
God bless you.
Thank you for sharing your song, Lady Quixote. How perfectly appropriate! God bless you, too. ❤
And yet too many parents try to enforce their power by feeding their children such religious guidelines as, “if you don’t respect and mind your mother, God will punish you.” Things that are uncomfortable are swept under the carpet. If the love of a parent is already made conditional, how can a child make the jump to Jesus and God not doing likewise? The only way I can see is via a trusted adult…
You are so right. Our initial impression of God is formed in childhood. Because of experiences such as you describe, many people view God as a harsh judge, willing to strike them down for the least error. Yet the Gospel tells us: “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3: 17).
Amen Anna!
Beautiful post 🙂
Thank you so much, Mary! Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen is one of my favorites.
Reblogged this on Anchor Thy Soul and commented:
Grace~ Anna Waldherr: A Voice Reclaimed
Great reminder! I’m so thankful that our salvation doesn’t depend on our efforts, or many of us would be in sad shape!