Victory over Verbal & Emotional Abuse

ONLY A FEW WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT...

In JESUS, we can have victory of this type of abuse. Many abusers have no idea they are abusive. Many have no idea what verbal & emotional abuse is. We pray under our breath, "Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing".

Question: Am I the victim or am I the abuser? For either one, there is help through the Word of God.

Abuse can be perpetrated without a word, with degrading looks, obscene gestures, or threatening behaviors. Such abuse can make you feel worthless until you look to the truth in Jesus' words...

"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of you head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Luke 12:6-7

GRIEVOUS / GRACIOUS WORDS ?

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" EPH 4:29

GRIEVOUS words attack a person identity: You are wrong; You are bad; Yelling "Shut up!"; Name Calling "You stupid idiot!" "You crazy fool!"

GRACIOUS words heal when addressing a person's action: You did something wrong; You did something bad; Discussing issues "Please listen to me."; Casting a Vision "You are good at ___." "You have positive qualities."

Abuse can be subtle or blatant, quiet or loud, smooth or abrasive. Whether verbal or nonverbal in delivery, abuse always deeply impacts an individuals personal and social life.

As a victim of abuse you may experience a loss of:

self worth, increased self doubt, self confidence, increased self consciousness, self perception, increased self criticism, happiness, freedom, inner peace, self assurance, security, increased anxiety, trust, increased desire to escape, increased distrust, increased guilt or shame, friendship, faith, increased fear, self respect, increased self destruction, pride, hope, increased self hatred, increased despair...the list goes on and on......

The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit" Prov. 15:4

Strengthen Your Relationship with the Lord

Look first to the Lord for discernment. Ask Him for wisdom, insight and direction in all your relationships. Read scripture and take God at His word, renewing your mind so you won't continue living as a victim. Get involved in a Bible study. Memorize scriptures that emphasize your worth and authority as one who is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Live dependant on Christ, who lives within you. Don't live out of your own resources. Throughout the day, acknowledge you total dependence on the Lord.

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world cased by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4

The course of an abusive relationship can change:

Curtail the abuse by planning to prevent being controlled. You cannot change someone else, but you can change yourself so abusive tactics previously used are no longer effective.

Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the well spring of life."