September 22, 2005
Men Honest About Their Sexual Abuse
In a profile in Sunday editions of The New York Times, New York Jets wide receiver Laveranues Coles said he was molested between the ages of 10 and 13 by a man his mother later married.
The Pro Bowl wide receiver thought he was alone in his inner struggles, and too proud to let any outsiders into his personal prison. But Coles recently decided to free himself of his secret in the hopes it might help other children who have endured abuse.
"I haven't talked about it in ... forever, but I know that holding something like that inside has been a burden for so long," Coles said.
Guys, this is more common than any of us realize. I've been astounded over the years about just how rampant this is.
And there're some of you guys who were sexually abused and you've been carrying that burden for years. Nobody knows about it and it has you paralyzed. You have to get that out. The shame, guilt, embarassment, etc. are the very things keeping you from being truly healed, restored, whole. There is a way to having your brokeness healed. What happened to you is not your fault. Unfortunately, remaining silent keeps you from entering the journey of healing.
What the world needs are men willing to risk that journey.
Mastering Life Ministries is a GREAT place to start!!