Question: Dear Mr. McLemore, How can I learn to deal with being sexually molested as a teenager by my own father? He is deceased now, but my mother is still living. She doesn’t know about it, and I don’t want her to find out.

Answer: First, it may be good for you to confide in your mother. She, too, may have been abused by him, and she may be struggling with guilt over allowing him to do what he did to you. In that case, you may be able to aid each other in your recoveries. Second, I would strongly recommend your seeing a Christian psychologist or psychiatrist in order to help you deal with repressed memories and emotions caused by this terrible experience. Third, I want to encourage you to believe that you are not to blame for what your father did to you, and you should not feel guilty about it. It is essential that you express your most intimate feelings of anger and pain before the throne of grace (1 Peter 5:7; Hebrews 4:15, 16). Jesus understands, and he will strengthen you (Ephesians 3:16-19).