How can I overcome the pain of past abuse?

from the old testament

• Abuse is most often the wrongful misuse of power or people, which goes against God’s purpose for those created in His image. Because He made mankind “in His own image” (Genesis 1:27), He granted every person inherent worth and moral responsibility to reflect His character in the world. To bear His image is to demonstrate His justice, mercy, and love toward others. Abuse denies that worth by treating another person as an object instead of a fellow image-bearer. This breaches the dignity of human life. Since every individual bears His image, God cares deeply about those who are mistreated: “Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker” (Proverbs 14:31).
• God’s watchful care over the afflicted demonstrates His hatred for oppression. For example, He told Moses, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings” (Exodus 3:7). He also defends the widow, the orphan, and the foreigner (Deuteronomy 10:18) and warns that those who exploit others will face His judgment (Exodus 22:21–24). The cries of the oppressed always reach His ears (Psalm 10:14), showing that injustice never escapes His notice or His determination to act.
• The Old Testament offers promises of comfort and restoration. The psalmist proclaimed, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3), and Isaiah foretold the One who would “bind up the brokenhearted” and “comfort all who mourn” (Isaiah 61:1-3). These assurances point forward to Christ, the perfect Redeemer who turns pain into hope and provides lasting healing to those who trust in Him.

from the new testament

• Abuse distorts what God declared good, attacking a person’s sense of worth and identity. Yet the Bible teaches that all have sinned and fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). Everyone needs redemption. Jesus came not only to confront evil but to save both the oppressed and the oppressor from sin’s power. True healing begins not by denying pain but by acknowledging the deeper need of the heart—to be reconciled to God.
• Jesus entered a world of suffering and bore the full weight of sin on the cross. Peter wrote that He “bore our sins in his body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24), demonstrating that He took on both guilt and grief in redeeming love. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus defeated the power of sin and death, offering new life to all who believe in Him. The oppressed find in Him a Savior who understands their pain and restores what sin has broken.
• Jesus invites the weary to come to Him for rest, promising, “you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29). As believers fix their eyes on Him instead of their wounds, they begin to see themselves through His love. Their worth is no longer determined by what others have done but by their union with Christ, who calls them beloved and secure (2 Corinthians 5:17; John 1:12).
• The Holy Spirit continues Christ’s healing work in the believer’s life. He comforts hearts, renews minds through the Word, and transforms thoughts formerly defined by fear or shame (Romans 12:2; Philippians 1:6).
• God also works through His church, where believers support one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). Mature Christians, including those exceptionally gifted in biblical counseling, assist others in applying God’s truth to difficult experiences with wisdom and compassion. In this community of grace, the wounded find safety, godly guidance, and tangible expressions of Christ’s care.

implications for today

You are not worthless or defined by what has been done to you. God created you in His image, and your worth comes from His design, not from the words or actions of those who hurt you. The pain and confusion of abuse do not diminish how deeply He loves you. However, Scripture also reminds us that even though you have been sinned against, you are also a sinner in need of grace. Healing begins by turning to Christ in repentance and faith, and by receiving His forgiveness and the new identity He offers. As you walk with Him, regular confession and reliance on His mercy keep your heart tender, helping you avoid repaying evil with evil (Romans 12:17, 12:19).

Also, remember that you are not alone. God uses His people to bring healing. Seeking help from a biblical counselor or a mature believer can be a wise and humble step. Through prayer and Scripture, they can help you apply God’s truth to your wounds, protect your heart from bitterness, and guide you to see your story through His redemptive purposes.

God has not missed a single moment of what you have endured. He hears your cries, understands your sorrow, and will make all things right. Every injustice will be judged—either at the cross for the repentant or in final judgment for the unrepentant. For those who belong to Him, every tear will be wiped away, and every wound made whole (Revelation 21:4). Until that day, the Lord is near, transforming your heart, strengthening your faith, and preparing you for the moment when you will stand before Him healed, unafraid, and forever safe in His love.