As I passed a heavily wooded area, an uneasy feeling came over me. A growling sound, like a wild dog, was approaching from behind. As I walked, it grew closer and closer, louder and louder. Fear gripped my mind. I sensed the presence of something evil, as though I was going to be attacked ...

Escape from rape
A True Story

I was 16 when I learned the meaning of the word.
Shy and awkward, I was the stay-at-home type. I never had been asked out on a date and never was kissed. My (non)social life consisted of hanging out at the library: reading and writing. At school, I talked to no one, and no one bothered me.

Especially boys. Innocent and unsuspecting, I had never even heard of the word "rape." But just recently, I had read about it in the Bible. As a new believer, I was reading the Scriptures daily. But I never realized how soon I would learn, firsthand, just how very important the Word of God would  become in my life.

One Sunday, as I set out on the two-hour, eight-mile trek to the evening service (I did not yet have my driver's license), I didn't have a care in the world. Jesus was my Savior, the sun was shining, and I was rejoicing in my salvation. As I passed a heavily wooded area, an uneasy feeling came over my spirit. A growling sound, like a wild dog, was approaching from behind. As I walked, it grew closer and closer, louder and louder. Fear gripped my mind. I could hardly bring myself to turn and look. I sensed the presence of something evil, as though I was going to be attacked.

I did finally turn, really expecting to see a wild dog -- possessed by evil spirits, perhaps, as the swine into which Jesus sent the demons in the gospel story.[1] I had read in the Bible how Jesus gave the disciples authority over evil spirits. [2]  I remembered reading how demons manifested themselves[3], and how the disciples responded, with a word of authority, commanding them to leave.[4] So when this animal of a man, crouched low to the ground --with plaid shirt as red as his eyes, and hair as wild as his behavior -- grabbed me, knocked me to the ground, threw my Bible across the grass, and began ripping off my clothes, I knew the force behind his actions was more than that of a man. It was an attack of the enemy, Satan. I knew I had to do something, and I had to act now. Suddenly, a boldness and surge of faith rose up within me."In the name of Jesus, leave me alone!" I shouted, in an authority that surprised even me. I never saw a man run so fast! Across the grass, and into the woods, he fled. I wrapped my torn clothes around me and walked the half-mile back home, to change. Oh, the power in the name of Jesus[5], when we believe, and act on our faith! "The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run into it and is safe!" (Proverbs 18:10)