Summer is a great time for road trips. Over the years, I’ve lost count of the hours and miles, but what I can tell you is that once children start pointing out yellow cars, you can’t unsee them.
In the same way, once you begin to understand the dynamics of oppression, you can’t unsee it. If you are going to understand the sinful nature of domestic abuse, you need to consider these two unseen factors: differentials and punishment.
Some refer to power, and I don’t disagree, but I believe it’s more helpful to think of it in terms of differentials. One person has more than the other: more control of money and resources, more physical strength, more social standing, more of something that impacts the other individual. This does not make anyone bad, nor is it sinful. Each of us has more of something than other people we encounter each day. More does not equal wrong.
It is not a question of having “more.” It is a question of how it is used. Jesus had more–more power, more strength, more resources, more intellect, more of everything–but instead of using it to benefit Himself at the expense of others, He used it to save us. It wasn’t an easy save, or a convenient save. It was a life-quenching, gut wrenching gift: His life for ours.
The second factor is punishment. Each relationship is different, so the punishment will be different. It’s possible a victim complained about something her husband has done and we overlooked it. It didn’t seem like a big deal. But if we looked closely and asked the right questions, we may find that it bothered her because it was intended as personal punishment from her spouse. No one else saw it. No one knows. But the pattern of punishing behavior is always from the person with more onto the person with less.
How/Where do you start? Look for next month’s newsletter to avoid making a very common mistake.
Until then, thank you for your ongoing prayers and support. We enjoy serving you!
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Clarity in Action Ministries
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Sincerely,
Clarity in Action Ministries Board of Directors:
| President: Sydney Millage | Vice-President: Karen Miller |
| Treasurer: Jamie Julius | Secretary: Jessica Cox |
| Director: Floyd Yutzy |
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