Do you blame yourself for the things you did not originate? Or what the negligence of those placed to protect you caused; or what pure malice or jealousy brought upon you? The scriptures are replete with examples. Here are a few:

1. The story of Leah, trapped in the gimmick of a heathen father and the hatred of her forced husband? (Genesis 29:16-30:24)
2. The story of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:6-23); his brothers hatred and betrayal (Genesis 37:18-28)
3. David, the anointed of the Lord, became the victim of a murderous king (1 Samuel 18:6-11;19:9-10; 1 Samuel 20-24)
4. Bathsheba, trapped by an anointed of the Lord in forced adultery that cost the life of her husband (2 Samuel 11)
5. Job, the object and victim of a cosmic conversation he had no clue about (Job 1).
6. What about Abigail, who lived with an evil husband Nabal until God brought deliverance?

And how many more can we count in our modern society, daughters who have been severally abused, raped repeatedly? So, why do you feel you are alone!

Each victim is prone to ask, where is God in my situation? Where is God’s justice? Agonisingly, and ignorantly they open the door to the accuser and tormentor! Many internalise the shame, the grief, unable to see, however evident, the outstretched hand of God, and become victims of depression or even suicide. It need not be so. You can rise above the shame!

Consider and learn from the steps penned by David in Psalm 77. Oh the questions will come (vs. 7-9). He quickly understood the futility of staying upon questions to which he had no answers, refused the burden of self-inflicted guilt and self-pity, recognising them as his infirmity; and took the steps to focus on the years of God’s goodness, not the negative incidents that had afflicted him (vs. 10-15).

And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people. Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. Psalm 77:10-15

Therein lies your deliverance. That was the testimony of Job, even in the face of miserable comforters called friends (Job 29-31), reminding himself of times of God’s obvious presence and righteously walking before God.

Joseph never allowed the unprovoked circumstances that put him in dire straits make him lose confidence in the God he had loved, honoured and put his trust in!

The woman trapped by the wickedness of men and paraded as an adulteress found grace, and the empowerment to become an ardent follower of Christ. His presence, and walking in His shadow became her wall of defence against the pernicious whispers of Satan.

Rise up, child of God and shake off the dust of guilt, shame and despair. Take the name of Jesus with you and sing aloud I Speak Jesus by Charity Gayle or Thank You Jesus For The Blood by the same singer. Let them be your song until you possess control of your thoughts, your mind – and your courage to face each day. Let worship of the Lord fill your days, Selah.



Pastor Afolabi Oladele