Unveiling the Family Dark Secret
Escaping Abuse the Taboo
By Prathan L. Powell, Sr.
Ephesians 5: 22-25 – Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.
Growing up most of us can recall our parents telling us not to discuss what goes on in our house, especially if it was a dark family secret. Some refer to this cliché as taboo – a subject matter or behavior that is forbidden to be mentioned or known to others. Allow me to enlighten you – when abuse is present don’t treat it as a family secret. Abuse is defined as the physical, psychological or sexual maltreatment of a person. Being in an abusive relationship is not where God wants you to be especially when it has the potential to be self-destructive or can cause you your life, health or safety. Unless the abuser commits his or her life to God the chances of them changing are some times unlikely. I would like to deal with four different types of abuse. Neglect by refusing to provide food, shelter or clothing, physical by hitting, shoving or pushing, sexual which includes any form of touching, exploitation or being forced to do something against your will and emotional that involves name calling, verbal threats and chronic anger. It is of no affect to be aware of an abusive situation and not do anything about it. Once you acknowledge the big pink elephant in the room be prepared to get rid of him. If you are in an abusive relationship, don’t make excuses for the abuse, walk away and dare not look back (unless the abuser gets fully delivered based on salvation and allows God to change them), call law enforcement, don’t be afraid to tell, know that God will supply your need and most importantly take your power back. Read this week’s scriptures: Ephesians 5:22-25, 28; Ephesians 6:1, 4; 1 Corinthians 14:4
Prathan L. Powell, Sr. is the senior pastor of World Changes Tabernacle, Columbus, Georgia. To get more information, visit the website at www.wctministries.org or visit the church at 1241 Alta Vista Drive, Columbus, Georgia
