YOU MAKE ME CRAZY - 4. Breaking Free From Abuse

Because of sin, we live in a broken world. A part of that broken world is abuse. I can say with little doubt that you have been abused, are being abused, or will be abused in some way or another. It might be a spouse who is insensitive and unloving, an employer/supervisor who takes credit for your work, or a relative who rejects you because of your faith in God. There are unlimited ways that we experience abuse--not only physical or sexual abuse. One thing is for certain, abuse is going to grow worse. Paul wrote to Timothy and said:

"You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times." 2 Timothy 3:1

In the eight verses that follow, Paul warns Timothy of how the behavior of people will grow increasingly abrasive and cruel. In other words, "We ain't seen Crazy, yet!" He tells Timothy to "Stay away from people like that!" Sadly, abuse (sexual, physical, verbal, and emotional) is to be expected in our broken world. The good news is that the Bible offers us a message of hope to break free from the abuse and recover from the pain that we might be living with as a result of the abuse.

This lesson, Breaking Free From Abuse, outlines seven Biblical steps to guide us in recovering from abuse, or helping someone else recover from abuse. King David understood abuse. He spent much of his life dealing with abuse. Everyone was after him. In over 100 passages, David expresses his fear, depression, anger, and his many enemies (some within his own family). You will see many references in the Psalms to David's battles with abuse.

No one understands abuse like Jesus. He was abused on a level we can not begin to understand, and He never once retaliated against his abusers. So, if you are experiencing an abusive situation now, or experiencing the pain spoken about by Job from a previous abuse, get alone with Jesus. "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed." Psalm 34:18. Then find someone you can trust that will help you break free from the abuse, or help you work through the abuse from your past. If you don't, you will carry the pain for your entire life. Job said:

"The churning inside me never stops; and each day confronts me with more suffering." Job 30:27

Start the healing process by first, admitting that you are being abused. Then follow the other six steps and find the wonderful peace that Job was eventually able to write:

"Put our heart right. Reach out to God. Put away any evil and wrong from our home. Then face the world again, firm and courageous. Then all your troubles will fade away from your memory, like floods that are past and remembered no more! Your life will be brighter than sunshine at noon, and life's darkest hours will shine like the dawn!" Job 11:13-17 (TEV)

What a beautiful passage of scripture for those of us who have at one time or another lived with the pain of abuse.

The slides from today's lesson are below. Next week, we will look at "Escaping The People-Pleaser Trap."