Emotional abuse...cunning, artfully dodging detection because it resides in private arenas.
It usually happens between two people when no one else is watching (unless, sadly, the children hear).
It takes the form of a scathing shakedown of who you are or are not, whatever the abuser's case may be.
It may be loud and angry, or couched in calm, cold language, devoid of emotion.
The target person is left feeling small and helpless and pain-ridden.
The sad truth is that small and helpless and pain-ridden describes the heart of the abuser.
In finding a target--you--he (or she) just unloaded a bit of the dark baggage he carries because the weight became too much to bear.
If you and God are working in tandem to rescue this person, carry on. You will be the bearer of repeated forgiveness until the abuser lets the unconditional love of God take root and begin to grow, for only Jesus is the proper Bearer and burial ground for the abuser's baggage.
If the rescue is not, or is no longer, yours to help execute, step away with grace and determination.
The abuser's portrait of you, painted with those scathing shakedowns, will fade.
Once again, the brushstrokes of Jesus' hope and plan and love for you can come into view.
