No Means No

Have you ever watched the movie, The Color Purple? I have watched this movie at least, 20 times in my lifetime. It’s one of the movies that becomes a part of your childhood and stays with you, well into your adulthood years. There was a scene in the movie, that was played by Oprah Winfrey (Sofia), that I think of often. What Sofia (Oprah Winfrey) stated, was pure truth and packed so much power, as sad as it really was. She said, “All my life I had to fight. I had to fight my daddy. I had to fight my brothers. I had to fight my cousins and my uncles. A girl child ain't safe in a family of men.”…………. TRUTH. At the time that this movie hit the screen in 1985, I was a five-year-old, girl child, that was not safe. Sadly, I know so many more girl childs, that also were not safe in their home, nor in their family of men. Can you relate? Have you too, been initiated into this group of girl childs? So many of us learned at a very early age, that whether it be a spoken NO or a silent NO, that it packed no power AT ALL! Our NO’s DIDN’T MEAN NO, in our family of men.

If you have been a victim at any age, to SEXUAL ABUSE, I want to tell you that I am so sorry that you had to experience that. You did NOT deserve that and NO, it is NOT your fault. Though you were a victim to someone’s evil intentions to steal, kill and to destroy your innocents…………. Your peace………… your NO, you have it in you to rise above the ashes, and live as a SURVIVOR! Let me tell you, I experienced abuse as a child, as a teen, and even as an adult. I STAND WITH YOU. Though the journey won’t be easy, I want to encourage you to HEAL! DO NOT GIVE YOUR ABUSER(s) ANYMORE POWER. Take back your NO!

Though it can be difficult to understand why God would allow for such things to happen, I want to encourage you to try your best to understand, that GOD LOVES YOU. Though, He didn’t cause harm to violate you, He allowed it because there is something beautiful that can arise from it. God promised that we will have suffering. Just as Jesus suffered, we too will suffer. Just as God suffered, having to witness His Son suffer, we to will suffer. WE WILL SUFFER. However, look to the hills! God is a Healer and a Waymaker. He will use what the enemy sent to kill you, as a great testimony that will work out for your good and His glory! So………… WALK IN YOUR POWER. WALK IN GODS LOVE. LET YOUR NO, FINALLY BE A NO! DO NOT BE SILENCED………. BE BOLD………. BE COURAGEOUS.

“But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’ [a firm yes or no]; anything more than that comes from the evil one.” Matthew 5:37 AMP

“Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].’” Isaiah 41:10 AMP