Have You Suffered from Spiritual Abuse?

Those who have suffered from spiritual abuse will quickly agree that it is a deep and destructive influence. It’s difficult to think about, and few want to explore this topic. I believe many have left the church family, isolated from their own family, and live with inner-turmoil because of it.

Spiritual abuse is when someone in authority sinfully uses that authority to manipulate and control others. It is found in religious settings but can happen anywhere; we are all spiritual beings and this affects everyone. It helps to understand from a biblical context how God has designed us as individuals to glorify Him. When we are squashed under someone’s control we do not develop the gifts that God has placed within us. This hinders us from becoming the person God has created us to be.

I am posting here Rick Thomas’ podcast that explains this so well. He addresses this question in the context of spiritual abuse from pastors/spiritual leaders or others; as you listen you’ll see how this applies to many situations in life.

Written version and podcast go to: RickThomas.Net 

Soundcloud podcast only: Eight Signs of Spiritual Abuse

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I Am Drawn to HOPE!

I am drawn naturally to where hope is found,
This is how I am made for life to abound.
I know that if Christ is my treasure in store,
He’ll fill my desires and I’ll need no more.

Sometimes though we are moved with pain,
And the brighter sky seems filled with rain.
How can I find this hope that I seek,
When my heart seeks answers in the worldly and weak.

When the weight of despair outweighs the rest,
My balance is off I’m overwhelmed by the tests.
The way of God’s Word seems too much to bear,
Am I drawn to an artificial answer in prayer?

Can running away to escape for relief,
Be the real answer to my deep time of grief?
But alas the Spirit does come to my aid,
And offer real hope in the midst of charade.

I’ve come to conclusion God’s way is the best,
If my hope is in Christ He will give me rest.
The assault that I feel will give way to peace,
While circumstance remains my unrest can cease.

So while there’s brief comfort in worldly relief,
I must fix my mind on a true heart of belief.
That my Heavenly Father provides me His love,
And as I’m drawn to Him then hope will come.

~ By Nancy Demary

Photo Credit: Demary

Who Am I Trusting?

God’s Kingdom is like no other. The King is 100% trustworthy. No where else is this found. So who are you trusting in today?

When we respond to the King’s call to enter His Kingdom we obtain a great gift, a certificate of sorts, that entitles us to the benefits of daughters and sons – and God faithfully protects His own.

As you go through this day facing situations, decisions, offenses, how will you handle them? Will you re-act allowing fear to be your guide? Or will you act, trusting that God brings us all things for His purpose and our good. Fear versus trust, the outcomes are very different.  If we could see as our Father-the-King sees, we would realize how often we fail to trust Him and rather trust ourselves or another person.

Psalm 1:1-3 tells us that the man or woman who is blessed is the one who trusts in and relies upon God; who’s hope and confidence is in Him. This child is like a fruitful tree, with plenty of water flowing in and sends life forth. Jeremiah 17:5-8 repeats these same thoughts:

Trust in the Lord– and walk under His blessings.

Trust in man– dwell in a parched, wilderness place.

 

Rely upon the Lord– and have green, flourishing leaves.

Rely upon man– be naked and destitute in a desert place.

 

Hope in the Lord– and do not be afraid.

Hope in man– be anxious and fearful.

 

Jeremiah 17:5 Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his arm, whose heart turns away from the Lord. 6 He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. 7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. 8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” (RSV)

Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. (RSV)

Decide to be firmly planted by trusting in our Heavenly King, and no other. He loves you dearly.

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A True Wonder-Woman

We live in a world marked by much pain and suffering, yet God’s desire is that we prosper in the midst of the situations we face.  By prosper, I am speaking of flourishing, growing and walking in victory—the Bible calls it being blessed.

My life-theme is centered in Psalm One.  This Psalm succinctly lays out the way God said things would go in life.  I love this because God is faithful to all, He is never-changing, and what He says is true.  With His help, and the Holy Sprit’s power indwelling the believer, we have all the potential to be “Wonder-Women” of God!  That brings me great comfort and joy.

Let’s look at those who are blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable/Amplified) and why this is.  Those who obey the instruction of our Father truly become a “wonder” to those around them.  Why?  Because onlookers observe their life and are amazed, or wonder… “How they can continue on? … happy, believing, fortunate, prospering.”  This is truly a wonder that only God can perform in us!

Let’s look at this incredible Psalm and rejoice, knowing we have the possibility to live the blessed life because of God’s great love and provision for us.

PSALM ONE

1  Blessed is the woman…

Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, (following their advice, plans and purposes)

Nor stands in the path of sinners, (submissive or inactive)

Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; (to relax and rest)

2 But her delight is in the law of the Lord, (instructions)

And in His law she meditates day and night. (ponders and studies)

3 She shall be like a tree, Planted (and tended) by the rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season, (evidence of spiritual life)

Whose leaf also shall not wither; (die off)

And whatever she does shall prosper. (comes to maturity)

4 The ungodly (those disobedient and living without God) are not so, But are like the chaff (worthless, dead, without substance) which the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand (justified) in the judgment,  Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God).

6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish (end in ruin and come to nought).

Notes in parenthesis are taken from the Amplified Bible.

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