New data comes out next week about intimate partner violence. It’s the first study of its kind focused studying unemployed single moms as they try to enter the workforce. I got a sneak peek. And it was devastating.
It’s horrifying in its truth. It’s fantastic in its revelation. But it broke my heart. It weighed so heavy on my soul. How broad the problem- impacting all socio-economic sectors- and how hidden the suffering broke my heart. And the information kept coming.
I had to reach my hands out to touch the people around me, to feel the warmth of another, to remind myself viscerally I wasn’t alone, to ground myself. The injustice is so great and deceitful. The victims- 19% of which were men- no longer understood the behavior as abuse it had become so normal. Is that not the greatest betrayal that power and control meant to destroy another cloaks itself as love? Deceit- what a typical strategy of evil.
He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44
I had to remind myself there is still hope. I had to practice dwelling on the truth of redemption despite the pain of the present. I practiced releasing burdens that weren’t mine to keep and invite in the peace because I have the opportunity to overflow with hope. I want to practice hope.
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Roman 15:13
Practicing Yes 