July 20 - Abuse
Scripture focus: David confirms this way of looking at it, saying that the one who trusts God to do the putting-everything-right without insisting on having a say in it is one fortunate man: Fortunate those whose crimes are carted off, whose sins are wiped clean from the slate. Fortunate the person against whom the Lord does not keep score. Romans 4:6-9
- Between 25 and 30 percent of all children suffer physical abuse.
Yesterday I witnessed a father pick up his young son by the neck of his shirt, shake him, draw his face to him nose-to-nose, and scream at him for acting his age. This little tyke did a dangerous thing -- he ran out into a busy parking lot. I know the dad was frightened. But his reaction to his stress may be causing as much harm as a spin in traffic without a helmet. He physically abused his son. This fundamentally changes how this child will view his world and his place in God's grand epic adventures.
- 31% of adult women in the United States will experience one episode of violence at the hands of a husband or partner. Every day more than three women are murdered by their significant other. Pregnant women are more likely to be murdered than die of complications related to pregnancy. Abuse can occur without leaving a mark on the victim.
But when abuse occurs, it causes great harm to the spirit. If you experience abuse or become abusive, then acknowledging the truth of this is a much needed first step to recovery. Abuse is never okay. Whether you see a mark on your skin or not, it is a killer of the abundant life.
We are fortunate that God does not keep score. But this does not mean that we should not act in the face of abuse. Sometimes we don't have the way or the means to intercede. But one thing we can all do is carry a message of hope to the hurting -- whether victim or victimizer.
God doesn't keep score. He wipes our slate full of sin clean.
But in order for him to act, we must first trust. We must confess our sin without insisting on having a say in how God chooses to put things right. We don't get to excuse the sins of self or others with pithy platitudes.
We must acknowledge the reality of sin, and trust God to show us the next right step.
Betrayal, trauma and grief aren't cured by time. They are healed by using our time wisely -- trusting God with the truth of our suffering and seeking help from those whom God uses as his instruments of restoration.
Recommended reading: 1 Samuel 1-3
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