Spiritual Abuse and It's Effect On Our Faith

[FedUP]

In reading scripture over the years regarding Jesus' words on the treatment of those who follow Him, I had always come to expect it from those who do not believe, but for whatever reason was never spiritually or emotionally prepared for it coming from fellow professed believers, and through it's effect on me, nearly destroyed my relationship with God, much like satan trying to get Job to curse God or turn on Him. I read Luke 6:22 and Matthew 24:9-11 and now see those passages in a completely different light, not just refering necessarily to people outside the believing church, but also in it.

[psalm55]

It is most difficult when coming from the church but I think we truly have to understand that is Satan's most fertile ground because the wound goes so deeply.

Years ago I was mocked and ridiculed by young and old, spit at and called a ***** at church until people found out they had misintrepreted things I had said and that I truly did not know what the 'game' was that they were playing or who everyone was referring to.

Unfortunately the one who set me up is extremely wealthy and he has means available to him that most people don't have access to, so the extent of the hurt reaches to every single aspect of my life. He knows how it affects me, but the end is more important to him than using means that would have achieved the goal. That is how it appears anyway.

He is a very unique person, very gifted, jovial, hard working when he has a goal. The only thing about him that truly troubles me is that he is not ashamed of his sin and everyone in the church applauded and embraced him though he was not repentant. Everyone I know embraces him and uses a most painful means to communicate to me on his behalf.

I truly think, had we met properly when we were much younger, we both would have grown and learned from each other. I do learn from others I spend time with, but generally not when they are kicking me around with constant reminders of painful episodes in my life.

Yes, rejoice when all men hate you. I have read that passage and have tried to understand it, but I think it can only be understood in light of the day we meet Jesus. Much like David calls out for us not to fret when we see evil doers rejoicing. I have to think of what it must have been like for the Jews in Germany or those in the Gulag's who saw humanity at its most wretched. There is a picture in The Gulag Archipelago, two in fact of Alexandr Solzhenitsyn, one when he was young with strength in his face and a spark in his eyes and one years later after much suffering. Though he was released and living in the US at the time of the second photo, their was a deep sadness and loss in his eyes and his face was old but also worn.

I don't know, the world is not fair and we are all fallible. I don't know how God sees me or the decision I am making and I am not interested in hearing man's opinion because the only people I know are liars who sold out for money. I don't know one person who hasn't been part of the scam used against me.

If I was given complete freedom from the dynamics I am dealing with and a true opportunity to heal from the inside, I would probably regain the strength to try again, but that has not and will not be given. Like I said, I don't know how God sees my choices, sometimes it is hard to see him at all because the ones who call themselves by His name have been so cruel and are unapologetic about it. So, I will have to accept the consequences of my decisions but the pain that led me to them is for many shoulders to bear. It was not all my fault as I have been led to believe by those who sinned against me.

[Willow]

In reading scripture over the years regarding Jesus' words on the treatment of those who follow Him, I had always come to expect it from those who do not believe, but for whatever reason was never spiritually or emotionally prepared for it coming from fellow professed believers, and through it's effect on me, nearly destroyed my relationship with God, much like satan trying to get Job to curse God or turn on Him. I read Luke 6:22 and Matthew 24:9-11 and now see those passages in a completely different light, not just refering necessarily to people outside the believing church, but also in it.

I know it was a different time and religion... but if you think about it, Jesus was persecuted by the religious authorities of is own faith... and eventually killed because of them. Of course they would never kill him themselves - they were not allowed to have blood on their hands. They set him up and let the "unsaved" do their dirty work.

[Jerry]

Yes, rejoice when all men hate you.

I don't know, the world is not fair and we are all fallible. I don't know how God sees me or the decision I am making and I am not interested in hearing man's opinion because the only people I know are liars who sold out for money. I don't know one person who hasn't been part of the scam used against me.




We rejoice when we consider the alternitive,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,to be one of them........

[FedUP]

So true Jerry. Just hard to do that when right in the middle of it. What's worse, is how often I peronally have listened to people like that actually use scripture on one hand to validate their behaviour, and then simultaneously use scripture to nullify any complaint you make regarding their behaviour. That sort of round and round literally wore me out after awhile.

[hoipoloi]

So true Jerry. Just hard to do that when right in the middle of it. What's worse, is how often I peronally have listened to people like that actually use scripture on one hand to validate their behaviour, and then simultaneously use scripture to nullify any complaint you make regarding their behaviour. That sort of round and round literally wore me out after awhile.

Very true FedUP. I'm also fed up with this kind of cherry-picking from the Bible.

You know when this happens that the person with social power in the church can get away with it, those without cannot. Christians do NOT crucify -- true Christians are crucified.

And so you are a true Christian -- but it is hard.