Sacred Influence- from "Taming the Temper Part 2"

from Sacred Influence by Gary Thomas

from Chapter 11- Taming the Temper Part 2: Learning to Navigate through Your Husband’s Anger

If you live with an angry man, this is your "spiritual marathon". You're going to be challenged in ways that may terrify you. Women who marry abusive men often had abusive fathers, and they've developed a lifelong portrait of themselves as victims. It will go against every learned response in your hurting soul to finally stand up and say you're not going to take it anymore- but doing so is the pathway to healing, hope, and a healthier marriage.

You may feel terrified, but think with me about a future in which you are supported instead of threatened, in which you feel adored instead of attacked and appreciated instead of insulted. Isn't it worth the risk for you and your children, to work toward such a marriage?...

Your God is with you, and his people will surround you. Spend some time asking God to bring some helpers into your life before you act; this may be the wisest step you can take. And then more forward from there. If you keep stepping out in faith, you'll discover just how strong you can become in Christ- and that's a valuable life lesson. If you persevere in this, you won't even recognize yourself several years down the road. That timid, fearful, victimized personality will vanish in favor or a strong, wise, bold, and courageous woman of faith.