The popular saying “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words shall never hurt me” isn’t true. Words can hurt and leave long-lasting wounds.
This is because what others say to us and call us affects how we view ourselves. When individuals continually endure emotional abuse, they suffer consequences that may proceed for a few years after the abuse ends.
According to Psychology Today, emotional abuse can occur in many alternative contexts, including “a parental relationship, a romantic relationship, or knowledgeable relationship.”
People can suffer many uncomfortable side effects from being in an emotionally abusive relationship, including short-term and long-term symptoms. For example, the identical article lists long-term problems as “anxiety, insomnia, and social withdrawal.”
On a deeper spiritual level, individuals that suffer from abuse often doubt their price and value. Someone has used manipulation, insults, gaslighting, and controlling behaviors to instill fear in these individuals.
Victims have been treated badly and have had words used against them as weapons for thus long that they begin to imagine that they’re worthless. The way they view themselves has been marred and distorted by those that abused them.
Thankfully, Scripture offers life-changing guidance that may restore the dignity of victims of emotional abuse.
God can use the very weapon that the abuser used, words, to bring recent life, peace, and hope where there was only shame, fear, and failure. In the Bible, we discover words that heal as an alternative of harm.
Understand that the Abuse Is Not Your Fault
In emotionally abusive relationships, it’s common for the sufferer to feel as in the event that they deserve the abuse. He or she seems like a failure and deserving of demeaning comments.
The individual may feel alone and compelled to remain within the abusive relationship because their abuser has isolated them from others. Although victims of emotional abuse may imagine it’s their fault, they should not responsible.
Scripture teaches that sin entered the world when the primary human couple, Adam and Eve, disobeyed God (Romans 5:12). Their sin spread to every thing around them, like a growing cancer. Things that when were good, like relationships and words, at the moment are marred due to the evil introduced into the world.
This is why there are occasions when those we love and once trusted hurt us with their actions and words. Because of sin, people select to have interaction within the harmful and manipulative abuse of others.
The abuser is fully liable for the suffering they inflict, no matter any excuses or mental health issues they might have. God will hold them accountable for his or her sinful actions and words.
As the Bible teaches, people may have to offer an account for his or her words because what they are saying comes from their hearts (Matthew 12:34-37). Every insult, act of manipulation, and fear-instilling word will probably be delivered to judgment.
A sufferer of abuse might feel silent and unseen, however the Lord knows all things. He sees the pain and can bring righteous judgment on the abuser.
Listen to What God Says about You
For so long, victims of emotional abuse have listened to and absorbed what their abusers have said about them.
The words they hurled and twisted into them as a way of control became an element of the sufferer’s identity. Those who’ve endured emotional abuse have been flooded with lies about who they’re.
To break free from these lies, victims of emotional abuse can turn to the Bible. Within its pages is the reality about who they’re and what God thinks of them, which is way more vital than what their abusers have said.
Reading Scripture and allowing it to sink in through meditation and memorization can offer people hope and healing from the hurtful words and actions of others.
In God’s Word, individuals are reminded that:
1. You have value as an individual made in God’s image. The Lord specifically made humans in His image, which suggests all of us have price (Genesis 1:27). We are each “remarkably and wondrously made” (Psalm 139:14, CSB).
No variety of insults or torment from one other person can change the solid truth that our lives have price and meaning. The words of others don’t define us because God created us and has the ultimate say about who we’re and what we’re price.
2. The Lord loves you. People who’ve experienced emotional hurt from others can struggle to just accept that they’re worthy of affection.
However, Scripture teaches that God loves them. He loves them a lot that He sent His Son to die of their place in order that they could receive everlasting life in the event that they place faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection (John 3:16).
The Lord’s love is unconditional and unchanging. As the Bible says, “No power within the sky above or within the earth below — indeed, nothing in all creation will ever give you the chance to separate us from the love of God that’s revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39, NLT).
3. In Christ, you might be a beloved son or daughter. When we place faith in Jesus for salvation, we turn into children of God (John 1:12). In His grace and love, He adopts us as His little children (Ephesians 1:5).
Even if someone has not yet placed faith in Christ, He desires for them to return to Him. The Lord doesn’t want any to perish but for all to return to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
The more people absorb what the Bible says about them, the more they’ll change their view of themselves. No longer will she or he view themselves from the distorted view that their abuser instilled in them. Instead, they’ll understand that they’re valued and loved by the Lord.
Seek Help and Consider the Healing Power of Forgiveness
Of course, coping with the trauma and negative health effects of emotional abuse isn’t something that anyone should undergo alone.
Getting skilled assist in the shape of a Christian counselor or therapist is vital within the healing process. They may also help with the short-term and long-term effects of abuse, in addition to implement scriptural principles into their treatment.
Although many individuals have stigmatized therapy, there’s nothing improper with asking for help. The Lord, in His goodness and mercy to all people, has provided advancements in medical treatment, including treatment for trauma and other mental health issues.
This blessing is even greater when the therapist or counselor is a follower of Jesus who carries out treatment from a biblical worldview.
In addition to getting help from others, those that have suffered emotional abuse should open themselves to the chance of offering forgiveness.
When an individual forgives someone who committed a improper and hurt them, they exercise grace but in addition invite healing into their very own lives.
Forgiving isn’t about saying that what the opposite person did is “okay” or that it now not matters. Neither is it about entering back right into a relationship with the person or staying with them. Forgiveness is about showing grace and healing from past hurts.
Individuals may have to work through the Bible and pray for a very long time before they’re able to forgive their abusers. However, forgiveness is feasible through Christ. We have a Savior who suffered unjust treatment and cruelty by the hands of others.
Yet, He asked His Father to forgive them (Luke 23:34). We can find encouragement and strength from Jesus’ example, to forgive just as now we have been forgiven (Ephesians 4:32).
As individuals work through these painful areas of their lives and find the strength to forgive those that have abused them, they’ll find healing and hope.
No longer will they be defined by what others have said and done to them. They may have the love, strength, and resources to maneuver forward of their lives — lives which have all the time been worthy and priceless within the eyes of God.
What Does This Mean?
Experiencing abuse of any kind isn’t something any of us select or desire. Sadly, though, it happens because we live in a broken world affected by sin.
Although those that have suffered emotional abuse have been made to think they’re guilty and worthless, God says something far different. Through His Word, He reminds individuals that they were lovingly made in His image.
They have price and value as human beings and are deeply loved by God. This love isn’t in words only but proven through His actions. In Jesus’ death and resurrection, He demonstrated His love for all people, including victims of abuse.
Individuals can take steps toward healing by receiving treatment and therapy, replacing the lies of the abuser with the reality of God, and being open to offering forgiveness. The scarred hands of our living Savior can transform and redeem any emotional wounds now we have. He knows what it seems like to be abused, and He offers His loving care.
Author’s note: This article isn’t meant to switch medical advice or treatment but to supply biblical information and encouragement. If you or a loved one is affected by emotional abuse, seek assistance from police and medical professionals. Help is on the market.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger or considering suicide due to emotional abuse, call 911 or the local emergency number, in addition to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/somethingway
Sophia Bricker is a contract author who enjoys researching and writing articles on biblical and theological topics. In addition to contributing articles about biblical questions as a contract author, she has also written for Unlocked devotional. She holds a BA in Ministry, a MA in Ministry, and is currently pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing to develop her writing craft. As someone who’s captivated with the Bible and faith in Jesus, her mission is to assist others find out about Christ and glorify Him in her writing. When she isn’t busy studying or writing, Sophia enjoys spending time with family, reading, drawing, and gardening.
