Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord. (Psalm 102:18 ESV)
When our son Jonah was a preschooler, we loved what he called “cuddle time.” After lunch, he’d race up the stairs, grab a book, and dive onto my bed. One of our favorites was Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Wrapped in a blanket, we’d enter life in the Big Woods together.
As I finished the last page, Jonah would beg, “One more chapter, Mommy. Pleeeeeze.” Most days I gave in. He’d drift into naptime with images of deer hunting with Pa or making donuts with Ma. That’s how our family tradition of Christmas morning donuts was born. Birthed from story and connection.
Human beings crave story. Stories help us make sense of the world and process the events of our lives. John Eldredge once wrote, “Story is the way we orient ourselves in the world… it gives us a place to stand.” The stories we tell define who we are, how we see others, and how we see God.
Taught to Hide
Years ago, in a moment of vulnerability, a friend told me he had been molested by his uncle. After gathering the courage to tell his parents, they replied, “Forget what happened. Don’t ever mention it again.” Instead of comfort, he received silence and shame. Left alone to process his story, he buried the pain deep in his soul…until the night he told me.
At the time, I didn’t know how to respond. I wanted to scream, “I was molested too!” but I froze. I stuffed my pain back down, whispered, “I’m sorry,” and held him tighter.
We never talked about his confession again. He and I ran into each other a few months ago. As we caught up, I told him I was a writer. He asked what I wrote about.
“My second book is about healing from sexual abuse,” I said. Then I paused. “Remember the night you told me what happened to you? What I didn’t tell you that night is I suffered abuse too.”
“I never knew,” he whispered.
“I know. I was too afraid to tell you,” I replied. “But your story gave me courage. I became a counselor. I’ve helped others find healing. And now I’m writing a book to help even more.”
He looked at me with new hope in his eyes. Reclaiming his story now seemed possible.
Rewriting False Narratives
You and I were born into a world marred by evil. The trauma we experienced wasn’t part of God’s original design. And the false stories we created to survive that pain? They only hurt us more.
Think of Adam and Eve hiding in the bushes. The story they told themselves, “God is angry, we need to hide” wasn’t true. But they believed their false narrative. Their fear pulled them away from the very One who could help. That’s what false narratives do. They separate us from truth, healing, and God.
Last summer, my mom told me something that stunned me. I asked her where we lived after my dad left us when I was three. She said, “He didn’t leave. We left him. I packed the car and drove to your grandparents’ house.”
What? I had always believed (and told the story) my dad walked out on us. I imagined myself begging him to stay. He ignored my cries and left anyway. But that never happened. My false narrative shaped my identity, my view of my father, and even my view of God. And the story I created wasn’t based on truth.
Only when we begin to recognize these false stories can we allow God to restore us to the life He designed us to live.
Step Back Into the Story You Were Made For
And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…(Revelation 12:11 ESV)
You are a character in God’s story. A key figure in the greatest love story ever written. There’s also an enemy in your story who wants to steal your life. The life God planned for you. John Eldredge wrote , “We live in a love story, set in a world at war.” The enemy’s goal is to destroy the love between you and the Father.
The evil you experienced in childhood wasn’t part of God’s plan. And the pain you’ve lived with since then doesn’t have to be the end of your story. When you stop believing the lies and begin asking God what is true, rewriting your narrative becomes a great adventure.
Dan Allender once said, “Our story is meant to reveal the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus.” Your abuse doesn’t get the final word. Jesus does.
Thoughts to Consider
- You are not responsible for others’ responses. Share your story with safe people. Don’t let unforgiveness or bitterness define your narrative.
- Your story matters. Don’t pretend the abuse didn’t happen. Ask God for courage to face the pain and write a new ending.
- Practice vulnerability. Some people won’t know how to respond. But don’t give up. Look for a compassionate friend and invite Jesus into the conversation.
- Jesus reframes your pain. The cross is the only place powerful enough to hold our suffering. There, healing begins.
Prayer of Invitation: Father, help me to rewrite my story with You. Restore what evil tried to destroy. I believe I was created to live in Your story. Will you lead me back to the garden. The place where my story began.
Are you ready to start rewriting your story?
