It’s essential to be aware of the thoughts that daily enter your mind and the feelings they produce. One of the quotes from the book Resurrection after rape by Matt Atkinson is that a part of the recovery process is to finally make connections between the rape itself and your current feelings that affect your behaviors and relationships. Until you examine it, write about it and learn to challenge it successfully, the belief that you are worthless or damaged will continue to drive a constellation of other symptoms such as anxiety, panic attacks, substance abuse, self-injury, and sexual dysfunction. When these negative behaviors bombard you, it’s usually because of your thoughts. Track your ideas associated with your rape experience and analyze what you perceive of what happened to you.
Do you somewhat blame yourself? You should never blame yourself, no matter what the circumstances led to the crime.
Are you ashamed? Do not be ashamed of what someone has done to you. It was not your fault.
Do you think you deserved to be violated? You did not deserve to be harmed.
Do you expect to be rejected or feel rejected? You are loved and valuable.
Do you feel like a victim? You’re not a victim but a VICTOR.
Are you overly critical of yourself? Be patient with yourself; enduring rape is a life-changing experience.
Do you feel worthless? You are worthy, and you were created in God’s image.
Just as I changed those negative thoughts into positive ones, you can change your negative thoughts daily into positive ones. Remove the lies and replace them with the truth. Do not give up on your recovery. You can and will overcome this.
All things are possible for the one who believes and trusts (in Me). Mark 9:23 AMP