Spiritual Abuse is a Multi-Faceted Topic
Being Spiritually Abused is Like Getting Stung by a Venomous Spider
The many-faceted phenomenon of spiritual abuse in churches happens all too often. Spiritual abuse can leave behind personal devastation, loss of faith and community. It can be likened to being stung by a venomous spider. The after effects leave wounds that change your life in horrid ways.
Historically, not many people were brave enough to talk about having been spiritually abused. In fact, there was a time, in the not-too-far-distant-past, when the recipients of spiritual abuse didn’t know what to call it, or what do about it. In the past two or three decades, awareness has been growing, as more and more people are speaking up, research is being conducted, and books are being written.
What is spiritual abuse? Spiritual abuse happens when a church leader (lay person or ordained) misuses their authority to manipulate the beliefs or behavior of another person(s), and to maltreat them in other ways. Such behavior from a leader is NEVER OK! It always creates emotional and spiritual wounds that are extremely difficult to manage. For some persons, it can even lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Whether you develop PTSD or not, the after-effects of the abuse are traumatic and ongoing. The behavior of the abuser has created a major crisis in your life.
“Launch Your Well Being” offers a safe place for you to read, learn, and comment. I believe with all my heart that healing from spiritual abuse is possible. I also believe that each and every one of you is a unique person, created and loved by God. Because you are unique, your path to healing and wholeness may consist of something a bit different – or several somethings – from the next person who was abused. Each person’s path to healing contains something that is unique to that person.
In this safe space, I will blog weekly on the various facets of this complex subject:
types of spiritual abuse
after-effects of abuse
faith crises
how to build an internal resilience reservoir
seeking ways to rebuild trust
clues for how to spot churches that are healthy or unhealthy
pastors that twist Scripture and theology in order to manipulate members
loss of community
setting boundaries
Scriptures that demonstrate that God is love and that He loves you
My name is Dorothy Gremillion. Why would I write on such a topic? Because I’m a spiritual abuse survivor. I have delved into searching for my unique healing from the trauma. And now, my passion is to reach as many other spiritual abuse survivors as I can. I want to help you find your unique path to healing and wholeness.
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