Trust is one of the hardest things to rebuild after sexual abuse. It touches every part of life—relationships, self-worth, even faith. Yet Scripture reminds us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, offering us a steady anchor as we relearn safety and courage in Him.

We’ve all heard the childhood rhyme, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Yet, nothing could be further from the truth. Words don’t just fade—they echo. They have the power to wound us long after the moment has passed, shaping how we see ourselves and even how we speak to our own hearts. For many survivors, the deepest scars aren’t left by physical harm but by the cruel, condemning words that replay like a broken record. The good news? God invites us to silence those lies and replace them with His truth. Healing begins when we learn to speak life instead of loathing.

Shame isolates. It tells us to stay quiet, to hide, to believe we’re too broken to be healed. But God’s voice is different—it draws us out of hiding and into His grace. In Him, there is no condemnation, only conviction that leads to restoration. You don’t have to carry the weight alone. There’s hope. There’s healing. And it starts with stepping into the light.

In a culture quick to label and slow to heal, many find themselves stuck in cycles of shame—believing they are forever defined by their past. But God offers something radically different: truth that restores, conviction that draws us near, and a new identity rooted in Christ. This blog explores how to move beyond labels and step into the freedom that healing brings.

In a world where survivors sit silently in our pews and vulnerable children are all around us, we can’t afford to walk by. This blog is a call to move from passive awareness to active advocacy—because protecting and healing was never meant to fall on one voice alone. It takes all of us.

At Trees of Hope, we believe the greatest threat to our children isn’t just predators—it’s the cultural programming that conditions them to accept exploitation as normal. This blog exposes the lies, highlights the dangers, and points to a better way: protecting the future and healing the past.

Sexual abuse affects 100% of us. If it’s not you, then it’s someone you know.