How do you respond when your partner sends you two totally different messages? One message says he loves you and will do anything to make things right. The other message says you’re making a big deal out of nothing, and you’re actually the problem. Which message is true?
Many Christian women who have stayed at home, raised babies, and maybe even homeschooled their kids, gave up their careers to support their abusive husbands on the home front, and now they are faced with an impending divorce. They don’t have a bank account or a job. They often ask “How in the world do I protect myself financially during a divorce?”
You’ve been telling him for years how hurtful his behavior is. Literally begging him to stop. It’s like beating your head against a wall. You’ve reached your breaking point. Then he tosses out a question your heart longed to hear from the beginning:
“What can I do to fix this?”
Right at the end. Right before your feet hit the pavement. Right before you’ve given up.
What now?
When Lynn, a widow and registered nurse, met her abuser for the first time, she thought he was a safe bet. Who could be safer than a pastor and former missionary? But once he had her hooked in, he tore down her dignity and identity through shaming and neglect. Lynn shares her long journey of waking up to the shocking reality that even religious leaders can be wolves in sheep’s clothing.
You’re the problem. An angry woman, a discontent wife, a troublemaker, the ungodly one. You’ve heard this over and over, in your mind, at church, and from your husband. Why can’t you get it together? Where do all the rage, frustration, and ugliness come from?
What if the question is the answer?
Abusers don’t ask if they are abusive.
Natalie, Daphne, and Rachel discuss the common reactions women have in destructive marriages that bring shame and confusion.
If you are going into a custody battle with a toxic co-parent, attorney Wendy Hernandez has some important tips to help you prepare.
Get the first chapter of my book, Is It Me? Making Sense of Your Confusing Marriage, recommended by therapists. That chapter will help you figure out what’s going on in your marriage.
