Tag : abuse
Tag : abuse
“Stone is heavy and sand a burden, but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.”
(Proverbs 27:3, NIV)
I was sitting in an airport waiting for my flight from Italy to France when I witnessed two young kids, a boy and girl, aged eight and seven, sitting next to each other and being boisterous. Their behavior was unmonitored and undisciplined for about five minutes. Then the boy started physically picking at his little sister and when she started fighting back, her parents reacted angrily to her. The dad grabbed her and her things and moved her away from her brother and then her mom scolded her. As I watched, I noticed the boy suddenly quietly reading his book as if he had nothing to do with just happened to his sister. It was mind blowing to see this mean–spirited, annoying boy turn into an angelic well–behaved young boy in an instant, The parents had no idea what had just transpired. As I watched all this, I remembered my childhood and how my brother and I had this same scenario transpire several times with the same exact outcome.
I said something to the parents with the hope that I planted a seed in the dad’s mind for the future. When everyone had settled down, I politely said to the dad that the boy also was misbehaving yet she was the only child scolded. He immediately responded to me by saying they take turns at misbehaving, and he gets in trouble too. I was impressed that he did not get upset with my comment, so I preceded to tell him about my personal experience as a child; how my brother picked on me and when I defended myself, I got in trouble. He replied that he understood how I felt because in his case, when he was a child, he was always the kid getting into trouble. The conversation turned pleasant, and I was thankful that I had the courage to say something. My prayer is that God will continue to water that seed and teach the parents.
“The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?“
(Proverbs 18:14, NIV)
The parents meant well but they were distracted, as most parents are. They judged the little girl without investigating what transpired, crushing her spirit; creating a pattern of behavior that may continue into adulthood. The boy could grow up thinking that there are no consequences to his actions unless he gets caught, and the girl could grow up thinking she can’t defend herself because she will be the one to get in trouble. She may become passive, even a people pleaser, accepting abuse just so she can stay out of trouble. God does not set up women to be abused as children. He does not perpetuate abuse on any human beings. He promises to love us and assist us in overcoming the effects of sin on earth. When we take a stand against abuse, whether it is abuse in our own lives or the lives of others, we are working in His Kingdom on His behalf and for His Glory.
“There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.“
(Proverbs 6:16-19, NIV)
Categories: Blog
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners (Isaiah 61:1, NIV).
Are You Broken-Hearted?
Are you in a season of pain and suffering? Many people today suffer abuse at the hands of another person, sometimes someone they trust and love. Some are victims of sexual/physical abuse and others are victims of emotional abuse. Sadly, many are children, and the abuse or trauma can affect their development and negatively distort their view of the world. They become frightened and feel unsafe, unloved, and unprotected which can be carried into future relationships—causing more pain and hurt. Some grow up and suffer depression, anxiety, relationship conflicts, and turn to alcohol, sex, or drugs.
This is the desire and goal of the enemy since the beginning of human existence. He wants fear and doubt to sever our intimate relationship with God. Fear is at the root of many of our problems. This fear, which develops from childhood, is in direct opposition to love. The Bible tells us “God is love” (John 4:16) and “There is no fear in love” (1 John 4:18), so one can safely say that fear is not of God. He never intended for us to live in fear. He created us to be in loving relationships. The very nature of God is to be in relationship, a caring committed connection between one person and another. Like God, we have a need to be connected. He created Adam and Eve so He could have a relationship with them. We were built to be connected; attachment is the core of the soul’s existence.
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”
(1 Peter 4:8, NIV)
Jesus’ heart beats close to the victim of abuse or trauma, especially the children. We are in a spiritual battle against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). The powers of darkness will constantly try to put out the Light of Truth in your life. The worldly ways of life will battle for your mind every day. Fight back! Fight for the freedom of your mind. “Repent”, translated from the Greek, simply means change your mind. God is merciful and wants you to accept His invitation of mercy. No more pain, anxiety, depression, or fear.
You are a beautiful child of God, and He is a loving Father who wants your heart to change. He wants you to turn your heart towards Him and towards each other. We are rebellious and disobedient children, but He is a loving and forgiving Father. Jesus was the ultimate victim. We were the ultimate abusers. Our sin nailed Him to the cross and yet He still loved and forgave us. Turn your broken heart towards your loving Father and let go of fear. You do not have to be a victim, the road to restoration is waiting for you. We serve a God who has overcome the world. Stay strong in your faith, and love others well.
Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.
(1 Corinthians 16:13–14, NIV)
Categories: Blog