If your 5 year old daughter was raped and you are a Christian, how hard would it be to forgive and how would ?

Question

how would you forgive ? Words make it sound easy, but personalize it and imagine that you innocent 5 yr old sweetheart was raped by your neighbor. forgive, what are the steps ?

How interesting, I asked about talking with a principal who cost me my job, health income and everything and everyone just said, Oh forgive him, but when a child is raped, no forgiveness so you think there are boundaries for forgiveness ???

Answer 1

I have a five year old daughter...
Prayer would be foremost. I would NOT be able to do it unless God helped me. I remember when Corrie Ten Boom said she met one of the Nazi concentration camp guards that she knew, and he asked forgiveness from her. She could not do it, until God helped her. There would only be one step, possibly repeated until forgiveness was possible. Prayer.

Answer 2

It would be difficult if I had to do it alone. But, I have the Word of God that commands I forgive. That doesn't mean I wouldn't be disgusted and hurt and sickened by it.

For starters - they need to ASK for forgiveness... and secondly - this is an extreme offense. It's not something that someone "accidentally" does to hurt someone.

http://www.bcbsr.com/topics/forgive.html

http://www.peacemakers.net/peace/eight.htm

Step 1: Have the OFFENDER confess specifically to the OFFENDED what was done or said wrong that caused offense.

Step 2: Have the OFFENDING party identify the biblical principle(s) he violated.

Step 3: Have the OFFENDER ask the OFFENDED "How were you wronged when I did (or said)...........?"

Step 4: Have the OFFENDER recall, as best he can, a time when they were wronged/offended by another, in the same way they caused offense.

Step 5: Have the OFFENDER restate their sin(s) expressing Godly Sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10-14) AND wait for the OFFENDED's response.

Step 6: Have the OFFENDER repeat in his own words, the answer given by the OFFENDED, when expressing Godly Sorrow.

Step 7: Have the OFFENDER ask, "What can I do differently, so I won't hurt you again?"

Step 8: Restitution: What can we do to make you whole?

Answer 3

It is sin that is the enemy and we all do that to some extent. There are spirits that can cause people to sin also. Understanding is important and each case is different. Just giving the judgment over to God is enough after making the attempt to forgive. The first step, if one wants to forgive is saying out loud that you forgive them. Say it several times and then pray for both yourself and that person. The anger will most likely be around for awhile but it will fade and you don't have to forget either. In this case it is good not to forget because he may not be trusted again but, he can be forgiven..

Answer 4

That's really hard. I would certainly WANT to forgive because it is healthier, but I also wouldn't want my child to grow up thinking that *I* thought what happened to her was not a big deal. I'm not a Christian, but I do believe forgiveness is important. I think your first responsibility, though, is to make sure your child understands that an indefensible act cannot be forgiven, but the person who committed it can be. It's not good to harbor hatred, but one can hardly blamy the parent or child in such a situation if they do!

I truly hope this is a hypothetical, but if it isn't I hope you and your child will remain strong and come through this as well as possible.

Answer 5

Wendy, in the flesh it is impossible to fully forgive and completely heal on our own. Forgiveness is a supernatural act, not a human choice, and it can only be done through the Power of God. Thus, we must pray that the Holy Spirit which dwells within us(for those who are saved) provides us with the power of forgiveness.

Answer 6

That would be really hard. My emotions would be really high. I don't think I could look that man or woman in the eye after that. It would take time and much prayer. I would want justice served, though not death. It would shock me and break my heart. Only through Christ could I forgive. He or she didn't mess with me, but an innocent child.Not only that, but my poor daughter would be forever changed. I would really have to work with her. I hope this never really happens.

Answer 7

No matter what age, daughter, mother, sister, wife, loved one, friend, It would be impossible for me as a human being to forgive anyone for such a thing.

As a Christian I can only pray that the Holy Spirit would make me able to forgive.

Answer 8

The Scripture says, "Obey the ordinances of the land for the Lord's sake." Thereby, I'd let the law fricassee' the rapist by putting him in prison where I hear most inmates DESPISE child molesters! Either way, that person would be punished for his crime and I wouldn't have to dirty my hands, heart, or mind with the thought of it. I would only have to pray for my daughter's healing, and forgive the person who did that to her. Romans 12:19 says plainly that God will recompense (repay) that person for what they did, and we all know He works in mysterious ways......

Answer 9

Honestly, it would be VERY VERY hard to forgive but something that would have to be forgiven if I claim to be a Christian. Christ asks us to love our enemies and forgive each other, no matter what. But it would be hard and it might take me a while, but eventually I would have to forgive them especially if they asked for my forgiveness. But it would be hard.

Answer 10

It would take time, and lots prayer, but I would forgive the criminal. He/she will be the one who will suffer the most for their crimes. As a faithful child of God, one must forgive all who sin against us and I do that daily.

A Catholic Christian