Hello, friend. Welcome to Authorized Sword Ministries.

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Where We Left Off

In Lesson Three we saw that you are free in Christ to get safe and move on. Today is our last lesson. It's called "Healing and Moving Forward."

Our Key Verse

"He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds." — Psalms 147:3 (KJV)

Forgiveness Is Not Going Back

God tells us to forgive.

But forgiving someone does not mean trusting them again or returning to them. Forgiveness means letting go of revenge and leaving judgment with God.

"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." — Romans 12:19 (KJV)

David spared Saul's life when he could have killed him (1 Samuel 26:9-11). But he did not go back with Saul. The Bible says they went separate ways:

"Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place." — 1 Samuel 26:25 (KJV)

You can forgive from a distance.

Trusting God Again

Abuse can make it hard to trust anyone, even God. Bring Him your hurt honestly.

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." — Proverbs 3:5 (KJV)

"In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." — Proverbs 3:6 (KJV)

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." — Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)

Your Future Is in His Hands

Your past does not get the last word.

"Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old." — Isaiah 43:18 (KJV)

"Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." — Isaiah 43:19 (KJV)

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." — Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV)

Finding a Safe Church

Healing happens among God's people. Look for a church that preaches the Word, treats you with kindness, and does not push you back into danger.

"Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." — Galatians 6:2 (KJV)

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." — Hebrews 10:25 (KJV)

A Word About Safety

If you are in danger right now, call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is free, confidential, and open 24 hours a day, for women and men alike. Call 1-800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or visit thehotline.org. Getting help is wise, not weak.

"Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." — Proverbs 11:14 (KJV)

Closing Thought

You are not what was done to you. God heals the brokenhearted, and He can give you a new life. Thank you for walking through this course with us.

Let Us Pray

Lord, heal every broken heart that has read these lessons. Bring them peace, safety, good friends, and a church that loves them. In Jesus' name, amen.