Many, many years ago I had a conversation with a trusted mentor regarding something that I had experienced in the church world. She looked at me, “Jen, you’ve been spiritually abused.” My eyes got big, because I had never heard that term.
What in the world did she mean?
It led me on a path to discover what spiritual abuse looked like. I concluded every believer has experienced it at least once—and probably as the giver and the receiver. Afterall, we are human beings.
I will not sit on a high horse and say I’m above it.
I’m more passionate than ever at being a part of a healthy capital C church, especially with all the public scandals in the body of Christ. I refuse to allow the enemy to win. I will keep my eyes on Jesus.
If you’re clueless like I was, check out the link in the comments. It’s the best video I’ve found detailing what spiritual abuse looks like and how we can overcome.
It takes all of us being as healthy as possible, being submitted to God and His word and staying studied up and prayed up to avoid enemy pitfalls.
I ask God regularly to search my heart and reveal the darkness so it can be replaced with His light. I want all of Him and none of me. He never shames me, but He always convicts me and restores me. He’s not waiting to strike me down but to embrace me and make me whole every step of the way.
He wants the same for you, too! If you’ve ever experienced spiritual abuse, I pray you’re able to heal and lean in to the nail scarred hands of Jesus. He loves you so much!
