Hi
Today’s Holy Nougat offers us hope or to be hope in the Valley. Be blessed
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 NIV
Unfortunately, for many women, the dark valleys which they encounter is triggered by partner abuse. They might be victims/survivors of verbal, physical, emotional, financial or even sexual abuse. Recently, heard of a context where 75% of all acid attacks were done against women and domestic violence was high among the reasons as was attacks by exes.
Looking from the outside, it is so easy for us to tell the abused to walk away; but fear (and ‘misguided’ love) is a powerful factor in keeping some otherwise strong women trapped in such valleys, sometimes until death.
As God’s children we have a role to play in addressing the violence perpetrated around (or by) us. Sometimes our unwillingness to be involved is also rooted in fear. Of being called informer, of retaliation, of the emotional costs; for the abused …
But, we have an antidote for fear. Jesus! In the Psalm we note the Good Shepherd has rod and staff to stave away the predators found in the Valley. If you are in the Valley, please cry out to Jesus and ask to be rescued. I believe with all my heart that God will rescue you. If you are witness to an abusive relationship; please please, don’t get apathetic. It may be that you are part of the defense mechanism required to save a life. We can no longer sit by uninvolved folks!
Ultimately, fear dissolves in the face of comfort. If we are witnesses to abuse and we are neither rod nor staff (ie protective detail) in defense of victims/survivors; perhaps we may be a source of comfort. In offering comfort, we affirm the victims’ humanity and journey with them on the road to becoming survivors. As children of God we can no longer be uninvolved.
So Lord
Today we consider those caught in the Valley and stand in the gap for perpetrators, victims and relatives. We cry out to You to prohibit, rescue and nurture those who are there. Stay hands, feet, bodies preparing to harm Your children and give us strength to overcome or help others overcome abuse and violence. We invite You to intervene especially for … as s/he seeks a way out of the Valley we pray, in Jesus name amen.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
