FAMILY ABUSE

WE MADE DIRECT AMENDS TO SUCH PEOPLE WHEREVER POSSIBLE,
EXCEPT WHEN TO DO SO WOULD INJURE THEM OR OTHERS.

Proverbs 23:29-30 GNB  Show me people who drink too much, who have to try out fancy drinks, and I will show you, people, who are miserable and sorry for themselves, always causing trouble ……..

This brief scenario may be familiar to some who read it. It is for me. We stood frozen in terror as my step-father’s powerful arm swung across the counter, bringing everything in its path crashing to the floor. My mother screamed for him to stop. He came home angry again. Always the first sign he had been drinking. His drinking often meant violence. I did not understand why he drank so much, so regularly if it made him violent towards those he loved.

Maybe quite a few recall similar menacing behaviour at home. Feelings towards family members that can never be undone. Harm inflicted we think we can never forgive.

When we put our lives in the care and control of a pardoning God, giving Him the authority to work on our spoiled lives. He activates new abilities within us so that restitution can be affected. We ant this. We need this, cost what it may. Where the action is impossible, daily prayer for those we have hurt should be our prescribed order. If you have not repented yet, now is the time to do so.

PRAYER: God have mercy on me for the stress I have caused my family. For failing myself terribly, and for the violent and abusive behaviour I have shown towards others.