Nov 4th, 2021: Domestic Violence
November is Domestic Violence Month. It is one of the most damaging abuses in our society. In some disciplines, people also refer to it as intimate partner violence. People with whom we have intimate relationships are those who cause us pain.
I have had my share in dealing with Domestic Violence situations in my work. It is not uncommon to see how the abused (most of them are women) keeps coming back to the abuser. We might need to know what these relationships are.
They are full of insults, threats, discouragement.
They break families and relationships.
Jealousy and possessiveness are their trademarks.
They manifest anger, control, and verbal attacks.
Shame and blame are their pathways to success. They are manipulative and deadly silent.
Many people are not free to talk about their struggles with abusive relationships. We need to listen very carefully to what is not said. Make sure that we reach out to someone we know and are dealing with domestic violence situation. Be a friend and be present if we want the abused to trust us. We don't have to go very far. Domestic Violence has no social or economic barriers.
If we can touch someone with the hope to restore confidence and dignity, we should do to that because it will be a life-changing experience.
2 Timothy 3: 1-5
"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power."
