Melody Harrison Hanson wrote a beautiful, brave post on her blog today about her experience growing up with a father who “was in ministry and was a generous, gracious, loving, God-fearing man,” but who was also abusive. In fact, he wrote a book about it: “Strongest in the Broken Places: A Story of Spiritual Recovery.”

Melody shared this video, which does a fantastic job of showing how the church often falls down on the job of helping abusers find hope and healing in Christ. Because make no mistake–there are wonderful Christian men and women, people who love Jesus and others with their whole hearts, who are engaged in a fierce battle with their own abusive tendencies. We need. To. Help. Them.

This video also explains how certain teachings can be taken the wrong way by people who are living in abusive situations, and how all too often, the responsibility for ending the abuse is shifted onto the victim. Please watch the video, and hop on over to Melody’s blog to read her story. It will be worth your time.

If you think you might be abusing someone, are struggling with abusive tendencies, or know someone who is, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Another great place to find help (especially if you live in the Twin Ports, but even if you don’t) is through the Duluth Abuse Intervention Program. They have church-based programs that integrate biblical teaching with sound psychological counsel, and have been very effective in helping abusers stop conforming to their old patterns of power and control, and be transformed through the renewing of their minds.

This is important stuff, people. God wants to do a regenerative work in the lives of people living in abusive situations, both the people who are abused and the people who are abusing. We need to get on board!

Related Posts:

If I Were to Forgive You, Daddy Melody’s gut-wrenching testimony about a childhood filled with emotional abuse, in a ministry home. Please read this.

Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault: Why the Church Needs to Get Involved. My thoughts.

Thinking About Submission in Light of Domestic Abuse by Sharon Hodde Miller

A Broken Trust An in-depth article I wrote for the Covenant Companion, including practical suggestions for church members and clergy.