Victims necessarily wrestle with questions of faith, grieved that God would allow them to suffer so severely.
Most victims need to rage at God before they can move on with their lives. The love we demonstrate by simply hearing them out during this process is a truer reflection of God’s own than any number of wise and well-meaning platitudes we might recite (Job 2: 13).
Only time and grace can teach victims that the abuse was not the central event in their lives; that they remain beloved children of God.
As someone who has managed to regain her voice, I feel it incumbent upon me to speak for those who cannot. It was this which God used to lead me to a life in the law. It is Scripture which sustains me: “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord…” (2 Tim. 1: 8).
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Copyright © 2001-2022 Anna Waldherr. All rights reserved.
ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse 
Amen!! I agree with you Anna… God has called us to speak out for those who cannot… the nameless and faceless. That is why He lead me to write my story. I would love for you to read it one day. What God did for me, I pray for Him to do for many more. God bless you, my sister!!
You are a great witness for the Lord! Your website The Abuse Expose with Secret Angel secretangelps911.wordpress.com is a constant inspiration.
Thanks Anna!! God is so good!! Nothing is impossible for the Creator of all things!! Many, many blessings to you, my sister. We serve an Awesome Father!!
Amen to that, and God bless you, as well.
I am glad that you were able to reclaim your voice! I am getting there and it’s an amazing journey.
Good for you! It can be a long and challenging process. But don’t give up. You’re worth the effort.
Blessings,
A.
Thank you!
Yes, my Dear Anna. If one were to rely on ‘Time’ alone to heal one’s wounds and disappointments, it does not work, and will not work, as they all lie under the surface.
Life brings on its own share of Woes. Yet, We blame Life, when Much of it is brought on by Our Selves!
For all that, I am fortunate to have gone through a number of ‘Retreats,’ where the Absolute NEED to Forgive was Stressed and Taught, and Helped to Go through.
Then I have found that We ALL have Instances of GOODNESS (that others have given Us), in Our lives. Thinking, and even CONCENTRATING on that has helped me in my Journey of Faith.
The Sublime Faith of the Great Saints is not mine. It is a Gift, for some. But the Lord has chosen to give me other ones.
But Faith, Believing, as in: “Believe in Me, and in the Good News,” the Very First Words of Jesus, Faith as an ACT, a Daily Act, HAS helped me.
Love and Regards. 🙂
Thank you for your insights, Swami. For me, too, faith is a journey rather than a static condition. I hear no voices. I have no visions, no revelatory dreams. Instead, I wrestle with God over my circumstances on a daily basis.
While our individual lives will differ, there are, I think, three instances in which our faith is tested. Those are when our sense of justice is outraged, when God seems to have abandoned us, and when our heartfelt desires do not come to pass. I have written about this before (and will, I’m sure, again). See, Solid Food, Part 1 – When Bad Things Happen to Good People at http://alawyersprayers.com/2012/05/09/solid-food-part-1-when-bad-things-happen-to-good-people/; Solid Food, Part 2 – In the Face of Silence at http://alawyersprayers.com/2012/05/15/solid-food-part-2-in-the-face-of-silence/; and Solid Food, Part 3 – When the Answer Is No at http://alawyersprayers.com/2012/05/23/solid-food-part-3-when-the-answer-is-no/.
It is good to discuss these issues with someone who thinks deeply about them, like yourself. Whether you are as yet a Great Saint I cannot say. But I certainly consider you a man of faith.
Blessings,
A. ❤
Good points, my Dear Anna. Went through All those links.
‘Discussing’ would be laborious, and over the comments, rather individual. So am going to prepare a ‘post’ on this.
Love and Regards, my Friend! 🙂
Great! I look forward to it, my friend. 🙂
Oh this is good. It took me till age 59 to learn that God was not like my abusive parents, and husband… His voice is sweet and gentle in love and reassurance, even when correcting me. I celebrate the work you’re doing–God bless you most abundantly.
What a wonderful compliment! 🙂 Thank you, Ziona. I do what I can. Your statement about God’s loving nature is profound. That you came to this realization despite your own harsh experience shows great insight on your part. May God grant you healing and peace.
Thank you so much, Anna. God kept His hand on me throughout a troubled life; I could have died several times–and believe me, I wanted to; but He had much good in store to show me. I have learned that sometimes He saves the best for last, and it’s so worth all the tears and tribulations. Joyce Meyer has a saying that I love: “Your worst day WITH God is better than your best day Without Him”. I say, “Amen, and Hallelujah!”
Amen and Hallelujah!
Yes! 🙂 🙂 Have a blessed week!
And you. ❤
🙂
Anna this is great! 🙂 I’m so happy to meet a Christian lawyer like you. 🙂 I am with you in prayers. I pray that you will be guided in everything that you do for the humanity. I pray for blessings and breakthroughs to you.
That is a wonderful thing to say! Though I am retired from practice, I greatly appreciate the compliment. May God bless you, too.
You are such a blessing and a light…thank you for using your strength to support others….God bless you ❤
Funny thing. It’s doesn’t always feel that way. At times, for all us, it simply feels as if we’re staggering along. Or getting up — one more endless time — from our knees. Even through that, however, God sustains us. May He bless you, too. ❤
Rise and fall…yes, that is the struggle–however we’ve been wounded…I’m so grateful for our recognition that we are all better off if we support each other and pool our resources (hearts, souls, minds….faith).
Very well said, and a truth that needs to break through the darkness. Thanks be to God, you are using your talents, treasures and time in a way that will benefit others, while glorifying God.
I’m glad we agree on this. Thank you for the encouragement. We all have a role to play in God’s plan. I do what I can. ❤
Anna, I have nominated you for the “Light of the World” award for all you do to highlight Christ as you bring others to awareness of some touchy subjects both through this blog and your other one. Don’t feel obligated to participate, but if you’re interested, the details can be found at https://calledtobeawriter.wordpress.com/2018/05/31/light-of-the-world-award/
Thank you, Mia. You are very kind. ❤
Dear Sister Anna, you have obeyed God’s command. To identify with and to save the lost is a very difficult command to obey. It takes the strength of the Holy Spirit to obey such. ‘Uphold the cause of the poor, the oppressed! Rescue the weak, the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked!’ (Ps 82:3,4). God has made you a leader, a light shining in the darkness! Thank you for paying the price for love to bloom in the desert! May God bless you as you are a blessing and a hope to many!
You bring tears to my eyes.
Good tears wash the pain away! It is well with your soul!
Yes, it is well w/ my soul. Praise God!
You are a beautiful, courageous, precious daughter of God. Thank you for speaking for those that cannot!
You are very kind. I could say the same about you.