6
The War Cry | SEPTEMBER 2014
Frontlines
of our brokenness. God allowed me to go
through all this and more in order to make
me strong, yet He has kept me gentle enough to
help others through their experiences. "He comforts us in
our troubles so that we can comfort others when they are
troubled. We will be able to give them the same comfort
God has given us"
(2 Corinthians 1:4).
Being a Christian doesn't mean you have to tolerate
abuse or any other type of mistreatment. Just the op-
posite is true. The Scriptures clearly command: "You
shall love your neighbor as yourself"
(Matthew 19:19).
God showed us how to love by sending His son to live
among us (John 3:16).
We need to realize what love is and what it isn't.
Love is not verbal, financial, spiritual or sexual abuse.
It requires direct, honest communication. It means
serving others and showing them they're important
to you through your actions. It is also about accepting
love from others, which you deserve as a child of God.
Love also calls for self-sacrifice. So be the embodiment
of Jesus and seek out others who do the same! Saying
you love someone isn't enough.
If someone is hurting you, emotionally, physically, or
psychologically, you have one option: leave! If you don't,
you are disrespecting yourself and God. "Don't you realize
that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives
in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong
to yourself"
(1 Corinthians 6:19). Care for yourself as
though you are sacred inside, because you are!
I've seen God in all His glory manifested in people
I have met. Near the point of my "prison escape" from
my boyfriend, the non-judgmental, encouraging coun-
selors at Safe Net, a domestic violence outreach cen-
ter, gave me the courage to shake off the handcuffs of
my stronghold and put on my new clothes in Christ!
They encouraged me to get a Protection from Abuse
order (PFA) and they went to court with me.
I spent a lot of time alone with God. When I
learned what real love is through searching the
scriptures, I no longer needed anyone else. Praise
God,who has promised, "I will not fail you nor aban-
don you" (Joshua 1:5, Hebrews 1:5). In addition to
giving me eternal life, He saved me from myself and
gave me my freedom back. I'd give up everything all
over again just to have the peace that Christ gives
me. "His peace will guard your hearts and minds as
you live in Christ Jesus"
(Philippians 4:7).
My prayer for all readers who are feeling imprisoned
is that you will prayerfully reflect on the unconditional
love of God! I pray you will love yourself, that you
will boldly walk away, and then spend time with
God to see things clearly before you begin a new
relationship. Pray expectantly that God will send
the right people into your life. Don't forget: "He's
able to accomplish infinitely more than we would
dare ask or hope!"(Ephesians 3:20)
Heather Dalrymple
lives in Erie, Pennsylvania.
National Domestic Violence Hotline:
1-800-799-SAFE (7233) | 1-800-787-3224 TTY
(assistance available in over 140 languages)
Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive and controlling behaviors that a person uses against an
intimate or former partner. It might include: Physical Abuse
Sexual Violence
Emotional Abuse/
Intimidation:
Property/Economic Abuse
Stalking
"
We need to realize what
love is and what it isn't.
"