Tips on Tuesday: When Marriage Hurts

I wrote the following article a couple years ago for our MOPS newsletter. Since I last posted on marriage, I've been nudged repeatedly by the Holy Spirit to post this article here for you. If your marriage is in a good place--a healthy place--then praise God. If not, I urge you to take action.

There is one key we didn't discuss regarding marriage. It was brought up after the self-defense class we had at MOPS. One of our moms reminded me that while this is great information and training to have, most of us will never use it. It’s good to be prepared, but if we look at statistics, the biggest threat to us as wives and mothers comes in our own home. Statistics show that 1 of 3 women is abused—either physically, emotionally or sexually in her own home by her spouse/partner. Think about your group this year and try to imagine three of your friends from your discussion group facing abuse each week or each day. It was my wake-up call.


If you are one of the three in an abusive relationship, remember that there is hope and help. Take heart and remember that an abusive home is not God's design. Get going—to places and shelters where they can help you get on your feet and out of the abuse you currently receive. There are places and hotlines for you to use. Use them! Most cities have hotlines open 24 hours a day. Call the local YWCA or shelter--most homeless shelters know where to take an abused woman & children. If you know of a woman in an abusive situation, please don’t turn a blind eye. Talk to her and try to help her make the call to get help.


While I didn’t plan to have such a heavy topic for today, it became crucial to me to share this message with all of you. Sometimes we do need to just ‘go’ and abuse is one of those times. Life is a grand adventure and mothering can be a roller coaster of a ride. But there is one adventure that no person should ever have to go through—abuse. Please seek help for yourself and your children. I’m praying for you.