What Defines Emotional Abuse?

Family life does not continually serve up happiness and joy, for no aspect of life is free of stress. Fortunately, moral and spiritual boundaries may prevent stress from evolving into physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. It’s apparent, however, that strife and violence in some families occur frequently.

Beyond physical and sexual abuse is emotional abuse, which consists of accusations, name-calling, withdrawal of affection and love, and physical abandonment. Bullying and threatening others by use of physical abuse is not what God intended, for it is the opposite of love and respect.

Curtailing emotional abuse is possible when there is a willingness to face the truth of its occurrence. Exposing guilt and shame to the light of God’s healing power is a necessity for healing. So remember that the Lord God is your source for courage and strength as you to seek healing for your body, mind and spirit. 

__________ 

My help will come from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

~Psalm 121:2 Good News Bible

__________

Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.

Face Truth – Free Yourself

Everyone is guilty of hiding from the truth, especially if it's painful to face. Truth calls for accountability although it may be difficult to accept. Jesus told Pilate, his examiner, “I came into the world to testify to the truth.” Pilate responded by asking Jesus, "What is truth?"

Pilate didn’t give Jesus a chance to answer because Jesus' answer would have required Pilate to face himself and a difficult situation. Truth lights up the darkest of days because truth eventually points the way to a brighter future, even if the immediate situation creates fear and a sense of dread.

Hiding the truth is a first line of defense when truth is humiliating, embarrassing and unacceptable. When we acknowledge to Christ Jesus the most painful truth imaginable, we then are freed from the burden of hiding or ignoring it. Jesus knows the truth for he is the way, the truth and the life, and it is the truth that will set you free. 

_______________________

Jesus said: “When...the Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit, comes, he will guide you into everything that is true. For he will not be speaking of his own accord but exactly as he hears, and he will inform you about what is to come.

~John 16:13-14 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

Face the Truth to Avoid a Crisis

Becoming saturated with conflict is a sad-but-true reality for many couples and families. In some cases, conflict isolates those involved from love and affection and will possibly generate emotional stagnation. When a relationship becomes stagnant from relentless striving, love and affection between the participants become stale and impure.

What’s difficult to accept is that conflict doesn't necessarily have to be bad. While most people dislike conflict, it can provide the pathway for discovering the truth about others and oneself. Unhealthy conflict refuses to face personal and relationship problems. It seems easier to let stagnation dominate than to face changes or an uncertain future.

When relationships become frozen in conflict, a potential crisis may shatter the lives of all involved. However, God desires for you to face the truth even when a resolution seems beyond achieving. Facing the truth is anxiety producing, but with God nothing is impossible because he cares more for you than you could ever imagine.  

______________________

My child, don’t turn away or become bitter when the Lord corrects you. The Lord corrects everyone he loves, just as parents correct their favorite child.

~Proverbs 3:11-12 Contemporary English Version

Better to correct someone openly than to let him think you don’t care for him at all. Friends mean well, even when they hurt you. 

~Proverbs 27:5-6 Good News Bible

Giving an honest answer is a sign of true friendship.

~Proverbs 24:26 Contemporary English Version

And I pray that Christ will make his home in your hearts through faith. I pray that you may have your roots and foundation in love.
~Ephesians 3:17 Good News Bible