Scripture

Psalm 30:1,3 I will praise you, Lord, for you have saved me from my enemies. You refuse to let them triumph over me. You brought me back from the brink of the grave, from death itself, and here I am alive!"

Psalm 121:5-8 "Jehovah himself is caring for you. He is your defender. He protects you day and night. He keeps you from all evil, and preserves your life. He keeps his eye upon you as you come and go, and always guards you."

Message

One out of every three women will be affected by domestic violence in their life. This is an amazing statistic to me. I never thought so many others have been where I, too, have been. You feel alone and frightened, but yet you stay. For whatever reasons you feel tied to this person, whether it be financial or for the children, or even possible what you think could be, or used to be love. You think it is the best or the only choice you have. You think you can change him and make him more loving, more caring. You think he is really sorry and will never do it again. But you are wrong!

If anyone has ever hurt you with words, hands or body, they are in violation of your rights. You don't have to take it. Forgiving them the first time might be all right, if you truly feel he is sorry and he will never do it again. But if they ever strike out, lash out or inflict any pain on you again, don't be foolish enough to think it will be the last time they try. They will do it for as long as you let them. You give them your approval every time you take them back. They need help and you are not it. Get out. Go to family, friends or a shelter. Don't give in to his tears and apologies. If this anger in him has been going on for months (years), it might not ever change. You've been lucky so far, but one day you may not be. Please, don't be another statistic.

If you truly feel the relationship has merit. If you feel strong that with help and guidance this person can be made right again, then let him first seek the help he needs and work on the relationship afterward. If you see the change and he never raises his hand again, you are far luckier than most of us who have to deal with a lifetime of regrets. If you are having difficulty in deciding what you should do, call out for help. God is listening.

Prayer

Dear Lord, Help me. I am having such a hard time understanding any of this pain. I am trying so very hard to make this relationship work, but no matter what I do, it hurts. He hurts. He hurts me and he hurts my family (children). My family and my friends don't even want to be around me anymore because they don't like what he does to me (us). Neither do I. Help me, Father. I need your wisdom more than ever. I need your helping and guiding hand to lead me to safer ground. If this isn't going to work for us, if he really isn't sorry, please show me the way out. Let me learn something from this misfortune and let me help someone else through theirs. If I am supposed to stay please put it in his heart to be a kind and loving man. I used to love him and I know I can again if it is your will. In Your Son's mighty name, I pray. Amen.