by Leslie Moon

Created on: October 30, 2009

All of us have experienced pain and hardship in our lives. Some have had years of hurt. Some have had dose upon does of pain poured onto their already drowning form. Into every life a little rain will fall tells us hardship is inevitable. The question is what will you learn from hardship? How will it mold your life?

I was a victim of hurt, pain, and abuse. The details you have heard before in countless recollections. It doesn't make the pain less real. What it means is my pain was real, your pain is real, and real people are hurt everyday by thoughtless or cruel people. I spent years blaming myself for being unworthy. I then questioned the fairness of it all. Why me among countless others who had a normal life? Did I deserve to be hurt; did I deserve to be unloved? The answer to anyone asking those questions is emphatically- "No!" No one deserves to be unloved or mistreated.

Those who have suffered need to know that there is a way out of the dungeon of despair. After year, I was released and given hope. I met up with a friend I hadn't seen in years. She probably doesn't realize it but her words of encouragement gave me hope to get out of the dungeon. I met a fellow-sufferer whose story was worse than mine. He was ahead of me in his journey of healing. He had forgiven those who had afflicted him with so much pain and rejection. He encouraged me to release myself from the past by seeking forgiveness in the present. First, I had to forgive myself because I had spent years blaming myself for being un everything (unworthy, unlovable, unacceptable). Then, I went on a mission to forgave those who had caused pain, some I couldn't talk to as they were gone. That significant act, of forgiveness, freed me from a heavy burden that had weighed me down. I also had to come to the realization that God loved me and that I was specially created by Him.

The most remarkable thing came after the forgiveness took place. I started counseling teens and realized many of them were struggling. My own life experiences enabled me to encourage them through their own difficulties. Over the years, I have worked with hurting people in hospitals and nursing homes. I have gone overseas and talked to, loved, and encouraged children who had experienced horrific pain. My understanding of suffering created an unseen bond. Our hearts could be opened to the great love of God. We could weep together we could rejoice together. I have been able to encourage countless others to seek God, forgiveness, and hope as a cure to the dungeon of despair. Part of me will always feel a little tug of pain because of the scars in my heart. I smile each time I meet a child and have another opportunity to help them out of the dungeon.

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