Thursday, October 29, 2015

Domestic Violence Awareness

For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure. John 3:34
 
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Here are some Warning Signs of an Abusive Person.
1. Jealousy and Possessiveness. Wants to be with you constantly. Accuses you of cheating all the time. Follows you around and frequently calls. Asks friends to check up on you.
 
2. Controlling Behavior. Constantly questions who you spend your time with, what you did/wore/said, where you went. Makes you ask permission to do certain things. Acts like you don’t have the ability to make good decisions. Hides controlling behavior by pretending to be concerned for your safety.
 
3. Quick Involvement. Six months or less before living together or engaged. Claims love at first sight. Pressure for commitment. Says you are the only one who can make him feel this way.
 
4. Unrealistic Expectations. Compliments you in a way that makes you seems superhuman. Over-flattering. Expects you to be perfect. Says, "I am all you need. You are all I need."
 
5. Isolation. Puts down everyone you know- friends are either stupid, slutty, or you are cheating with them- family is too controlling, doesn’t really love you, or you are too dependent on them. Refuses to let you use car or talk on phone. Makes it difficult for you to go to work or school. Tries to cut off all your resources.
 
6. Blames Others for Problems. If there are problems at school or work, it is always someone else’s fault. If anything goes wrong in the relationship, it is all your fault. Won’t take responsibility for own behavior.
 
7. Blames Others for Feelings. Tries to make you responsible for how they feel. "You’re making me mad." "You’re hurting me by not doing what I ask." "I can’t help being angry." Won’t take responsibility for own feelings.
 
8. Hypersensitivity. Easily insulted. Sees everything as a personal attack. Looks for fights. Blows things out of proportion. Unpredictable. You can never tell what will upset him.
 
9. Disrespectful or Cruel to Others. Punishes animals or children cruelly. Insensitive to pain and suffering. Teases children until they cry. Doesn’t treat others with respect. Dismissive of others’ feelings.
 
10. "Playful" Use of Force During Sexual Activity. Little concern over whether you want sex or not, and uses sulking or anger to manipulate you into compliance. Makes sexual or degrading jokes about you.
 
11. Verbal Abuse of Any Kind.
 
12. Rigid Sex Roles. Believes women are inferior to men. Unable to be a whole person without a relationship.
 
13. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Sudden mood changes- like they have two personalities. One minute nice, next minute exploding. One minute happy, next minute sad.
 
14. Past Battering. You may hear the person was abusive to someone else. They say it’s a lie, or their ex was "crazy," or it wasn’t that bad.
 
15. Threats of Any Kind.
 
16. Breaking or Striking Objects. Breaks loved possessions. Beats on table with fists. Throws objects.
 
17. Any Force During an Argument. Pushes, shoves, or physically restrains you from leaving room.
 
18. Doesn’t Respect Your Property or Privacy.
 
If you note any of these qualities in those with whom you are associated, seek help or counseling. If the abuse has gone beyond just a warning sign, get help from the police, support from family or friends, seek medical help if needed, and find a safe place to stay. There are resources and shelters that can help you.
 
Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, please bring to awareness the warning signs of domestic violence. Protect those who are abused and give them the resources to obtain help. Give us all hope. Hope for a better future and for love shown in an agape manner.
 
Tomorrow is Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table day—where I normally share a recipe. This is the pumpkin time of the year. What is your favorite way to eat pumpkin? Let me know in the comments section below. I’ll post my favorite…and yours, too, tomorrow. Looking forward to hearing from you.
 
© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm

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