Domestic abuse is part of Olivia’s story in my new novel, Faces of Courage.
The topic is often ignored in Christian circles, even though one in four women, according to the CDC, will experience physical violence by their partner at some point during their lifetimes. Perhaps the blindness in the Christian community is exacerbated by the fact thirty-seven percent of pastors surveyed in 2018 say they believe that domestic and sexual violence does NOT occur in their congregations. This may explain why many churches don’t even have a plan to assist domestic abuse.
Of course, abuse is not limited to the physical. It also includes emotional, economic power, and control over the partner using belittlement, threats, harassment, and the like.
Like many victims, Olivia is too fearful and embarrassed to seek help from her church. Fortunately, in addition to her prayer for help, she finds help from a surprising earthly source.
Help is always found when we trust in our Lord, keep the faith, and take courage. Ahh, you say, but courage is hard. Yes, that’s why we root it in faith because faith is trusting and believing what God says in His Word. What He says, He will do.
This includes encouraging us, that is, giving us the courage, we need. He is our very present help in time of trouble.
Faces of Courage released May 11, and I pray that reading it will help others understand some of the issues of domestic abuse and be encouraged by Olivia’s path toward courage.
If you are being harmed, don’t hesitate. Call the domestic abuse national hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
Perhaps you have not experienced domestic abuse, but there have probably been times of other trials. How did you find courage?
To find out more about my book, go to http://www.celebratelitpublishing.com/posts/book/faces-of-courage/
Leave a Reply