Laboring to Love an Abusive Mate

When you first met him, what was it like?  You listened to what he said.  You took his words as truth.  You reasoned away doubt.  You believed his lies.  Now look at you.  Controlled, manipulated, and emotionally abused by words said as recent as yesterday.  When people tell you that your partner doesn't deserve you, he is no good, or other choice words, you agree with them, yet you stay. Staying with someone who is emotionally or physically abusive is more challenging than leaving.  Once you are packed up and out the door, your life awaits you.  However, when you stay, you don't see anything but what he wants, where he wants to go, how he feels, and so on; therefore, your life is put on hold.  You find yourself working each day to maintain a relationship with someone who doesn't love or respect you nearly as much as you love him.  How much more do you have to take before you tell yourself, "I will not work to...

God permits all sorts of things to happen to us human beings as we age.  Some things we have pills and potions for while others not so much.  There are no cures for many diseases and conditions and yet the human spirit manages to keep on living anyway.  Yet, there are those individuals we don't know aren't so positive about those illnesses we simply can't manage and God has no plans on curing us from.  We are like the Apostle Paul with a thorn in our flesh that keeps us humble.  People who are controlling, dysfunctional, ignorant, or mean-spirited will have a problem with us no matter what we say or do to try to get them to be more understanding. Abusive people don't respond well to any issue that does the following: inconveniences them, makes them feel uncomfortable, cost money, shames them, or causes them to feel like they are out of control.  They become increasingly angry, impatient, and rude the more the private matter comes up. ...

Some women live for a wild time with a wild boyfriend.  They enjoy rough sex, crazy thrills, weird foods, and fun places to try new things.  But at some point life slows down whether through an unexpected pregnancy, death, lost of freedom, or some other difficult time.  The laughter stops, the pain takes over then one starts wondering, "How did I get here?" Bruised, bloodied, sick, or sore all over from yet another fight with a man who claims to love her, a young woman says, "Never again will I date another man like this one!"  So off she goes, a free woman with legs still intact and very much capable of living life without a violent lover.  Yet, days, weeks, months, or years later, who comes walking into her life, but another angry, evil man! Evil and violent men oftentimes don't behave weird, at least in the beginning of the dating process, they tend to cover up all signs with many words and promises while smiling.  They offer the...

When dealing with a number of trials in your life, it is best to have some good friends or acquaintances that are willing to help.  But how do you know who is friend or foe when you have become accustomed to welcoming bad people in your life? 7 Signs You Have a Good Friend 1.  This person listens and responds to your needs. Whatever the issue, your friend is listening and only responding when he or she feels it is necessary.  This person doesn't make you feel like you are talking to a wall, are a bad person, or not worth his or her time. 2.  He or she appreciates you by telling you so verbally and physically. A good friend will show and tell how much he or she appreciates what you do for him or her.  This person will find a way to return favors. 3.  He or she will not allow others to bad mouth or abuse you. When others attempt to say negative things about you, this person will speak up with positive things to say.  He...