Brennan Manning
As Domestic Violence Awareness month draws to an end. It is my hope that the intended articles were beneficial in providing resource information with regards to the cycle surrounding domestic abuse.
Remember, violence with intent to harm is never right! When a man (or woman) uses willful force against his partner as a means to control through fear and intimidation is wrong. Gaining the victim’s compliance, even temporarily, reinforces the perpetrator’s use of these tactics of control. More importantly, however, the perpetrator is able to reinforce his abusive behavior because of the socially sanctioned belief that men have the right to control women in relationships and the right to use force to ensure that control.
Domestic violence is a violation of women’s human rights. Violence directed against women by their intimate partners (current or former spouses, boyfriends, dating partners) is an epidemic of global proportions that has devastating physical, emotional, financial and social effects on women, children, families and communities around the world. Therefore, it is the duty of every woman to promote awareness and simply not ignore physical or mental signs of abuse among our family, neighbors, co-workers and friends.
In the book of Genesis 4:9, after Cain killed his brother Abel, the Lord asked Cain:
9"Where is your brother? Where is Abel?"
"I don't know," Cain responded. "Am I my brother's guardian?"
Cain knew he had wronged his brother and out of guilt, his only response to the Lord was "Am I brother's guardian?". Cain was like many of us, today. As Christian women, we see the sufferings of our sisters and we express the need to pray for them, without ever lending a hand to help.
Much of our christian lives should be spent maintaining and assisting on the battle field. However, we've become conditioned to Sunday School and Morning Worship, that we fail to see the lives that need to be touched outside of "church" walls.
There are lots of women who need your ears and hearts to be open to their experiences. Not in judgment, but of pure love and understanding which nourish and cultivate the soul, so that they may blossom and become the woman that God desires her to be.
Therefore, we must share our truths and speak openly of our pain, for without your adversity where would your power be? For in love's service only wounded soliders can truly serve. Brennan Manning author of the "Ragamuffin Gospel writes:
"In a world that is torn and tearing it takes a touch of folly to believe that "even when our choices are destructive and their consequences hurtful, God's love remains unwavering (pg.18)".
Further, Brennan writes:
"The mystery of our faith is this: God loves us and Jesus Christ would have died for us, even if we had been the only person on earth. Paul Tillich never tired of saying, "Faith is the courage to accept acceptance to accept that God loves me as I am and not as I should be, because I'm never going to be as I should."
It is with this same faith that we must reach out to women everywhere who have fallen victim to abuse. Our voices must align with spiritualness, love, compassion and support to assist her in removing the chains, which binds her to an abusive relationship.
Thereby, I challenge each of you to partner with a friend, co-worker, family member or someone you don't know in your communities in the continued campaign to promote awareness of violent assaults among women. Use this blog or any other available resource to educate women regarding the effects of domestic violence you may save a life as well as your own.
Be blessed!
P. S. Women don’t have to live in fear:
In the U.S., call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE).
UK: call Women’s Aid at 0808 2000 247.
Canada: National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-363-9010.
Australia: National Domestic Violence Hotline 1800 200 526.
Or visit International Directory of Domestic Violence Agencies for a worldwide list of helplines, shelters, and crisis centers.
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