“Father, forgive them…they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34 NIV
IF YOU’RE in an abusive relationship, what should you do? (1) Pray for them. Jesus said, “Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27-28 NKJV). It’s said that 90 percent of those who abuse others were first abused themselves. Often, they’re reacting out of their unhealed wounds and undealt with issues. And while this in no way excuses them, it gives you insight into how to pray for them. Satan loves to use things like alcohol, drugs, anger, pornography, and other counterfeits to destroy relationships. So, pray for your abuser to become the person God intended. “He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him” (Psalm 91:15 NKJV). (2) Get help. Solomon said, “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT). If you need group support or a mediator for an intervention, take action—now. (3) End the relationship if you need to. It’s not your job to change the person. And it’s not a failure on your part if they don’t change when confronted with God’s love and the truth. Here is a promise you can stand on: “‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’ So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5-6 NLT).
Soul Food Reading: Josh 5:1 – 8:29, John 14:15-25, Ps 118:19-29, Pro 28:5-8
