1 in 4 highly religious marriages report abuse. This isn't secular infiltration. It's in our churches. The question isn't whether abuse exists among believers — it's whether we'll protect the vulnerable. 🙏 Read about the research here: buff.ly/Rihnvds #lifesavingdivorce

I was also afraid to tell them because I didn’t want my friends & family to think badly of my husband. I thought this was a phase that we’d get through & he would change & be safe for me. I didn’t want my family to hate him because of what he had done to me in the “past”. Update: He never changed.

Special occasions are just another opportunity for an abuser to stir up drama and overshadow your happiness. 🚩

I hate my abuser

It’s important to visit the past to spend time reflecting on what has been-even the really hard stuff. It helps us identify patterns, see growth, and recognize ways God protected us through each trial. It’s healthy to visit, but don’t stay too long. Keep on, friend! ❤️‍🩹 www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX-F...

The belief that a partner or child can be owned is central to abuse. It explains the constant control, the seething jealousy, the silencing of individuality, and the violent rage when ownership is threatened. shadowsofcontrol.com/articl...

Love is meant to be a sanctuary of safety, respect, and support not a battlefield of control, fear and manipulation.

Saying “it takes two” in abuse shifts blame onto the victim and lets the abuser off the hook. Abuse isn’t a relationship problem — it’s one person choosing to harm and control another. shadowsofcontrol.com/articl...

Triggered today. Early txt with $ manipulation. Add a 3rd party encouraging more positive interactions with my abuser, add talk of holiday plans, add 3rd party sent what 99% of world would call a heartwarming video but all I saw was lies & danger. I was quickly over my daily threshold of ick.

I hate it when someone asks if I’m ok just out of the blue. I know I should be grateful that they noticed me and had enough concern to ask, but afterwards I always overthink it-like “dang I must’ve looked really rough today”. It wasn’t even an especially hard day, just regular hard.

Abusers are increasingly misusing therapy language to control, confuse, and discredit their partners. shadowsofcontrol.com/articl...

Denial protects the abuser. It’s often easier for outsiders to doubt a survivor than face the horror that someone they know could be dangerous. #BelieveSurvivors #DomesticAbuseAwareness

I love love LOVE how the Lord so often encourages me with just the right verse at just the right time!! The Bible app is an excellent resource for daily reading, study & prayer. Sharing today’s devotional incase you need a little reminder of God’s love!! ✌️❤️‍🩹 www.bible.com/en/videos/51...

Struggling tonight. Leaning on the Lord and thanking Him that He is right here with me ❤️

A lot of truth in this. Enmeshment is something I’ve not considered before, but it’s spot on. My abuser even says that we will be judged by God as one person because we are married. I wasn’t allowed to think for myself, do anything without his permission, or have any thought that he didn’t share.

🔎 Readers can find how many DV organizations in Nebraska offer emergency services and uncover gaps in shelter and crisis support. Discover the number and local resources — learn more 💜 zpr.io/ZSstpuTaxQU3 #NEDVHelp

Exactly. As survivors, it’s engrained in us to make excuses for our abusers-giving the benefit of the doubt. To say that my abuser only hurt me because he was hurting, that’s a total cop out. I bet an abuser came up with that line…someone who didn’t want to take responsibility for their actions.

❤️‍🩹✌️ youtu.be/8t9u-LOa3OI

Standing up for yourself does not equal "unkind." Setting boundaries does not equal "unkind." In relationships that value authenticity-- which are the only relationships worth deeply investing in-- it's actually EXTREMELY kind to be clear & consistent about limits & needs.

It’s not about me.

How do I help my daughter see that a guy that likes her enough to make out with her consistently over the last year but not enough to call her his girlfriend is just using her? Telling her does nothing. 😩 She’s worth so much more than that.💔

Thinking about what it means to be SEEN. - to be understood - to be represented accurately - to be embraced and acknowledged To be seen is to be loved. And we can't see what we hide or ignore. This is why representation matters. We're teaching each other to SEE. We're teaching each other to LOVE.

Ice cream for supper? Yes please!!

The more people I get to “know”, the more I wonder if we can ever truly “know” anyone. I mean if my husband (I married the “nice” guy) could see me daily and deceive me for 15 yrs and then convince me his abuse was all my fault… smh

I'm slowly feeling more like my self with each day that passes. Catching up on fasting that I couldn't do while I was in the states for that month is helping (too many appointments over meals to block one day off each week). Fasting folks, it's good for your mind, body, and soul.

I have a friend who is struggling with anxiety, so I was going to text her and let her know that I was praying for her, hoping today was a better day. And now, after thinking about my friend with her anxiety and wondering what solutions there might be for her, I am feeling really anxious myself. 😩

Safety is everything in every kind of relationship.

💯

Do you find yourself needing wisdom? That’s where I seem to live. Here’s some encouragement. www.bible.com/en/videos/49...

Love people while you can. We aren’t promised tomorrow.

I talked to a teen today who had posted a questionable message on social media that made me worry for her safety. She assured me she was just fine and seemed really appreciative of my concern. Just a little reminder, if you notice someone acting off, reach out. Better safe…

Meaningful May - Day 27: Focus on how your actions make a difference for others actionforhappiness.org/meaningful-may #MeaningfulMay

This was a fitting reminder as I was getting ready to run this morning! The Bible app is really great. It has a verse of the day, devotional & space to record prayer requests & praises. 5 stars highly recommend!! www.bible.com/en/videos/49...

My abuser highlights struggles that OUR children are having currently & blames me for them saying that a broken home is causing the struggles while conveniently ignoring the effects that years of witnessing their father abuse their mother might’ve had on them.

I haven’t felt this low in awhile. There’s peace in pretending the problems don’t exist, but sitting in the reality of the problems is pretty heavy.

My abuser once told me that I could be replaced with a maid and a restaurant. I wonder how that’s going for him. 🤣 Seems like maybe not so well seeing how he repeatedly comes to me bawling telling me how I’ve ruined his life. Same old, baby. It’s always my fault. ✌️

When affection is withheld as a means of control, it can have a lasting emotional impact. Learn how abusers manipulate warmth and intimacy to create dependency and maintain power. #EmotionalAbuse

Watching Pride and Prejudice-again. Why do I love this movie so much??

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Matthew 6:25 devotional from the Bible app: www.bible.com/en/videos/49... “As we know him more we will trust him more”

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. Jeremiah 29:11

I just want to say, God is so good. Life is hard and painful, but He’s here with me through it all even if nobody else is. He gave me a glimpse of the future today…a truth I already knew, but hate to accept. I’m still scared of what is coming, but I know I won’t face it alone. I’m praying big!!

A sweet reminder from the Lord in my daily reading this morning!!

I saw a divorced lady my age wearing an outfit that highlighted her features-short shorts & a skimpy top that hugged her just right. I saw her approach two married men & watched them come alive, their goofy grins said it all. Meanwhile in my mind, a soundtrack of my abusers insults played on repeat.