Abuse: What Does God Say? To the Abused // Mike Novotny // Time of Grace 

Truly sorry to hear about the hurt you suffered at the hands of your husband and by people in his church! As you know, sometimes the covert forms of abuse can be more difficult to endure when you are not validated by those around you who cannot see past the facade of your abuser. Please know that God loves you and that the abuse you suffered is condemned by him. While it is true that many churches have not been as experienced (and some have been downright wrong) in how abuse is dealt with, healing and peace can be found in the arms of Jesus. Next week's message, entitled "What Does God Say to the Church?" will address how Christians can and should better support victims of abuse. For more resources that may help on your path toward healing, you can visit our website: timeofgrace.org/abuse/. May God be with you as you move forward.

Was it Independent fundamentalist baptist? I'm so sorry such a thing happened to you. Their God is a false God, as Christ says the fruit of a beliefs evident. These are the people mentioned in the verse where Jesus said I never knew you, and casts them into darkness.

I have no words. 😢((Hugs))

Women don’t matter in most churches. We are constantly told to shut up, cover up, and submit. I left the church but not Christ. It’s like they forgot the gospels

Forgive. Revenge is mine sayeth the Lord. The Lord is restoring you. In God is your security...trust. 💖

​@@brendabrinkmanpasichnyk3500I tried. I prayed. I cut off the abuser. I am battling with Cptsd DAILY because of it. I'm praying that The Lord will set me free.

@@MrAllysonn You’re Not Alone. Here’s my testimony. Although I have never attempted to take my life, the thought of doing so had always been in the back of my mind until March 2020. It was driven by the trauma I was facing by the DV in my dysfunctional home (the DV still continues today). I felt so alone, anxious, depressed and useless. School was my only escape. I’d work overtime to make the highest grades possible and soon people started to assume I had the most perfect life with perfect letter grades. But that was far from the truth. It wasn’t till after so got saved in March 2020, that I realized why all of these traumatic events were happening to me, my Mom, and my siblings at the hands of alcoholism. It was because of the fact we live in a evil fallen world where people use their free will to rebel against God and his commandments. I also learned of why the Devil wanted me to give up so early in my life-he knew God’s plan for me and didn’t want me to fulfill it. Also, by getting closer to God, I was able to witness to my Mother and the rest of my siblings and inspire them to trust in God again. Hearing God’s promises also helped me realize how much he cared about me. My favorite verse is Isaiah 41:10. I first heard it when crying out to God about my trauma and pain I was facing in my life: “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41:10‬ ‭ESV‬‬ ❤️ During episodes of DV, me and the rest of my family soon began to turn to God and resort to prayer in the midst of the verbal attacks and physical threats. And ever since we started to do that, the length of these episodes would end rather quickly and less harshly. I also learned to forgive my father (I can also share my testimony on this if you want) despite all the wrongs he committed against us and still continues to commit against us. To put this in perspective for you, from Mid February 2022 to late March 2022 he decided that he wasn’t going to speak to me, my older sister, and younger brother even though we live all live in the same house. He just passed by us everyday and like we didn’t exist, while only speaking to my Mom (my Mom knows about this and is angered by it, but we reassured her we are not moved by this attitude as we no longer have to be drawn into unnecessary long hours of a conversation run on alcohol, and most importantly, an argument.) It is awkward to say the least in those moments. But knowing that humans disappoint and God doesn’t, and that real family is in Christ with a God as the true Father, I have no reason to be angry. Instead, I feel sorry witnessing a once hot Christian go lukewarm and finally cold. They don’t know the things that they do; they don’t know how much damage it is doing to themselves and their eternity rather than the person who their trying to hurt. We do talk as of now but the abuse and alcoholism hasn’t truly stop. Despite this, I pray everyday for them to see the light. And even if they don’t, it will not stop me from shining mine that God had given me. ~ I hope this reassured everyone and God Bless!!! God loves you 💗 P.S: This is quite a long P.S but still… I often used to and still kinda do struggle to trust God when it comes to my abuse because Satan would always remind me: "This ALWAYS happens" and "There's never a break from school WITHOUT this" and "I NEVER stop feeling depressed/anxious/sick about this" and lastly, "It's NOT coming to an end." But then I had a thought while telling God why I didn't trust him about that particular area of my life, and it was this: "In what part of the Bible did God promise us a life free of calamity, hardships, trials, and tribulations?" Nowhere. N O W H E R E. That's when it hit me. I had been trusting in a NONEXSISTENT promise this whole time!!! God instead reminded me that he actually PROMISES that our life is going to full of persecutions, trials and tribulations but, MAJOR BUT! He promises that through them... -He is faithful -He will never forsake us -He will protect us from the wicked plans of the enemy -He is always by our side -All things will work out for good -Has a good plan for our lives even through disaster -He strengthens us -He will give us wisdom And so much more!!! So in every trial we endure in this FALLEN WORLD, remember- “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10:19-23‬ ‭ESV‬‬ God has helped me so much…I’ve gone from being a suicidal young girl, to someone who plans to use their testimony to inspire others who faced abuse that God can use anything-even pain-for the good!! God bless! He can do the same for you.

So sorry to hear that you and others on this thread are suffering the current or past effects of abuse. Time of Grace has compiled some additional resources here, and we pray these will be helpful to you wherever you are in the process of healing: timeofgrace.org/abuse/. Another video, entitled "How to Escape An Abusive Relationship," which might be especially encouraging for those who find themselves in an abusive relationship, can be found here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6ThAIjilM6Y.html.

Jesus will come through for you.💖

You are doing everything you can. Jesus and God are with you. Keep going. You have a duty from God, to look after your boys. You can do it. Keep going. Praying for you ❤

Another lie. He did not find Jesus. He found another excuse to try to make his behaviour acceptable to you and himself. It's awful. Been there. Still there. Hopefully you are in a better position now. I hope it didn't put you off Christianity. Take care ❤

This is bullshit. If he found Christ he would not be abusing you. He is attempting to justify it. I don't know how but God will hold his ass accountable. You're not required to endure this and then be told you're not Christian or unsubmissive or unforgiving! Those are lies and not of God

Sorry to hear you have been experiencing abuse. As you know, abuse can come in all forms and unfortunately it is often most difficult to receive validation and support for emotional and mental abuse. We hope you will be able to tune in for next week's video entitled "Abuse: What Does God Say to the Church?" It is our prayer that, as more light is shed on this issue from a biblical perspective, more of us will be better equipped to support victims of unspoken trauma and deep wounds. Here is a link to another devotional series entitled "Escape an Abusive Relationship": ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6ThAIjilM6Y.html. We also have some additional resources on our website timeofgrace.org/abuse/ that may be able to provide some encouragement and help.