Once again no one is denying the harmful affects of abuse, but WE ultimately decide wether or not we will allow the abuse to change our relationship with God.
And we also have the opportunity to decide whether we will remain in an abusive situation or not. Most of the time, when someone leaves an abusive situation it's because they didn't "get over it", are "bitter", filled with "anger", and a whole host of buzzwords that the abusers wish to use to bring the "rebellious" back under submission.
I chose to leave several abusive situations. It isn't from anger, or bitterness, or because I didn't get over it -- it is because I chose to separate my wife and children from the active abuse that was prevalent in these situations. I am the provider in my family -- and part of that provision is to protect my family from power posturing pastors and saints alike. I will not have my wife and children sacrificed on the alter of self-righteousness pontification, power hungry saints (which include ministers), and ignorant intellect that requires and excuses abuse in any and all manners. And I will proclaim warnings for all outside of my family about abusers so that they don't find themselves in the same abusive situation that God delivered me from.
In the end, though, I see the abuse that happened in my life as a good thing. It was the catalyst for my having a relationship with God that has been renewed and I am growing daily. I'm not perfect nor have perfect theology but I am seeking the face of God -- no matter where that leads. I am thankful that I went through what I went through and that he created me the way he created me -- God truly took that which was ashes and made beauty out of it.
That said, here is a disclaimer: I do not believe that all saints and all pastors fit this bill -- there are more out there than is willing to be realized by some.
__________________ Resolve to serve no more, and you are at once freed. I do not ask that you place hands upon the tyrant to topple him over, but simply that you support him no longer; then you will behold him, like a great Colossus whose pedestal has been pulled away, fall of his own weight and break into pieces. | Etienne de la Boetie
And we also have the opportunity to decide whether we will remain in an abusive situation or not. Most of the time, when someone leaves an abusive situation it's because they didn't "get over it", are "bitter", filled with "anger", and a whole host of buzzwords that the abusers wish to use to bring the "rebellious" back under submission.
I chose to leave several abusive situations. It isn't from anger, or bitterness, or because I didn't get over it -- it is because I chose to separate my wife and children from the active abuse that was prevalent in these situations. I am the provider in my family -- and part of that provision is to protect my family from power posturing pastors and saints alike. I will not have my wife and children sacrificed on the alter of self-righteousness pontification, power hungry saints (which include ministers), and ignorant intellect that requires and excuses abuse in any and all manners. And I will proclaim warnings for all outside of my family about abusers so that they don't find themselves in the same abusive situation that God delivered me from.
In the end, though, I see the abuse that happened in my life as a good thing. It was the catalyst for my having a relationship with God that has been renewed and I am growing daily. I'm not perfect nor have perfect theology but I am seeking the face of God -- no matter where that leads. I am thankful that I went through what I went through and that he created me the way he created me -- God truly took that which was ashes and made beauty out of it.
That said, here is a disclaimer: I do not believe that all saints and all pastors fit this bill -- there are more out there than is willing to be realized by some.
Good post. We have the opportunity to leave the abusive situation, I have never said that anyone should stay in a bad situation, thanks for helping me clarify this. I am also glad that you made up your mind to change the bad situations into positive life teaching experiences. When people do nothing but talk about there past abuse, it makes me wonder if they continue to give power to the abuser.
I wasn't suggesting that you were dishonest or deceptive. However, what you posted is typical of what many Christians do: hold pastors to a higher standard than they hold other people or, especially, themselves.
And they should be held to higher standard. How can you follow someone that isn't ahead of you?
Your criteria was an ANTI-Xmas church they fit the bill did they not??? Of course they might be ANTI a few other things also?
Hehehe. Not celebrating Christmas is just one of the things we are looking for. If I were interested in having my life controlled I could just go back tot he church up north.
I ask for everyone's forgiveness you have a right to be angry and bitter for the rest of your live's and it is none of my business if you have chosen that miserable life of suspiction and pain. I am guilty of trying to convince you God's will is for you to have a happy-abundant-peaceful life without the weight of bitterness. But I can see my offer is not attractive and I have already given you everything I can muster on the subject. I would wish you the blest but that would insult you since you have no desire to be better and if I wish you the worse I feel guilty so I wish you nothing.
I am going to have a good day. You have whatever you want.
The key word here is "CHOICE." This is what my argument is based upon.
I don't disagree that staying in an abusive situation (once the 'victim' realizes they are IN an abusive situation) becomes a choice. What I disagree with is that spiritual abuse DOESN'T happen. In fact, it DOES.
Hehehe. Not celebrating Christmas is just one of the things we are looking for. If I were interested in having my life controlled I could just go back tot he church up north.
and pray tell what church is that?
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
Yes, always (by the way, we're talking about so-called "spiritual abuse"): one does not have to allow the supposed abuser's actions to have a negative impact. We have the Holy Ghost dwelling within us and, thus, have the obligation to turn to Him when someone says or does something that some might define as "spiritual abuse" (I'm still not convinced there is such a thing as spiritual abuse but, at least in this response, I'm just assuming for the moment that there is such a thing). After all, Peter told us to cast all our anxieties on Jesus because Jesus cares for us. Isaiah said that God would keep in perfect peace those whose minds are fixed on Him. Then, of course, there's Paul's whole thing about dying daily.
So you don't think that people who have been abused (assuming there is such a thing as "spiritual abuse," as you said) EVER needs time to heal or recover? (Just for clarification, you're speaking of adults only, correct?)
Of course they might be ANTI a few other things also?
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