Joyce Meyer reveals she was raped 'at least 200 times' by her father

Famous preacher Joyce Meyer revealed this week that her father sexually abused her for years when she was young.

In a video posted on her website, Meyer said her father had repeatedly raped her until she was 18. He raped her, she said, "at least 200 times."

Although Meyer has not really kept secret the fact that she suffered sexual abuse from her father, this is the first time that she has shared some details about her experience. According to her, she did it to let people who are going through the same thing know that God cares about them.

The best-selling Christian author said she realized that there's a difference between saying that she experienced sexual abuse and that she was raped. It was only recently that she referred to the latter to describe what she went through. Even if her father did not force her physically, he still forced her to do things against her will, Meyer explained.

"He didn't force me physically, but through lies, and fear, and manipulation and threats," she said. There were also instances when he made her watch pornography. She shared that he did so many perverted things and took advantage of her when no one else was around that she despised going into any place in the house where she knew he would be.

"I was continually fearful that my mother would come in the room and blame me," she added.

Meyer said her father raped her at least once every week. Aside from this, she was also mentally, verbally and emotionally abused by her father. She lived through the pain and the shame for many years.

"All types of abuse are damaging," she said.

She was not the only one her father abused. She revealed that her father also took advantage of their neighbor's daughter, who was her friend. He also told Meyer to bring some of her classmates at home so he could abuse them as well, but she did not comply with this. She felt ashamed of herself and of her parents.

Meyer said she found healing in God. She felt grateful for the Bible verse that says, "Instead of your shame, you will receive a double reward. I will give you a two-fold recompense."

Meyer is now married and has a family of her own — with four children and 10 grandchilldren. She talked about the love of God and the goodness of God.

She said healing is possible because of Him, and now she gets to enjoy the life she has with her family. She reminded the people that God is alive and well, and He can transform their circumstances.