By Maureen L. Whitsett
Rising above life’s challenges to find hope and healing is what I did to overcome mental
health difficulties. My testament to living with mental health every day serves as an inspiration
to others, demonstrating that it is possible to beat the odds amid the dark moments.
A report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds, according to the American Society for the
Positive Care of Children; 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 7 boys will be sexually assaulted by the time they
reach 18, according to the Department of Justice.
More than 90 percent of child sexual abuse victims know their attacker; (“Sexual Assault of
Young Children as Reported to Law Enforcement” by Howard Snyder). Approximately 70
percent of children who die from abuse are under the age of 4; (U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services). About 30 percent of abused and neglected children will later abuse their
children, continuing the cycle of violence; (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).
My first traumatic experience happened when I was only 10 years old and my whole world
changed forever. I was sexually abused and didn’t understand what happened or what was going
on. Today, I understand from a Spiritual perspective I was targeted to be destroyed early in my
life by Satan. Why do I say that? I was a victim of child sexual abuse. I developed anxieties,
became depressed, I felt violated, and I was no longer a happy little girl. The person that was
supposed to protect me didn’t. The sexual abuse was never reported. The normalcy of my life
continued to change year after year. The sadness started as I relived the experience over and over
in my mind, asking myself “Why.”
It is so important to forgive. There is power in willfully forgiving others. I harbored
unforgiveness for many years and attempted to take my life on three occasions because the pain
was so great. I overcame this tragedy by understanding the importance of willfully forgiving
others. I didn’t know there was purpose in my life until years later. It came to me, that that was
the reason I survived, I had purpose. I believe God wants to use my witness to save others from
taking their lives to death by suicide.
I don’t know what you’re dealing with, who hurt you, or what you’re holding on to. I invite
you to choose to forgive today to start your healing. The Word of God says, in Isaiah 53:5
(NKJV), by Jesus’ stripes, we are healed…Jesus Christ not only came to save us from sin, but He
came to make us whole. Be whole my friend. Miracles & Blessings!
Maureen Whitsett is the author of I Beat The Odds. Contact her at
maureen@themaureenwhitsett.com, https://www.themaureenwhitsett.com, or follow her on
social media @mlw_ibeattheodds.