SCRIPTURE: Psalm 129
OBSERVATION:
The psalmist is reflecting on how much he suffered, and thanks God for not being totally defeated, even though it was really difficult. The “curse” of vv.5-8 needs to be heard in light of the cruelty of the oppressors. The Psalmist is essentially wishing their own cruelty on their oppressors. ‘May you experience how awful it is to go through that kind of cruelty.’ Although this is not the spirit of Jesus, Who urges His followers to bless those who curse you, it is an understandable struggle for those who are abuse victims. And maybe it will be a wake-up call that will lead them to repent.
APPLICATION:
How would my faith survive this kind of abuse? Do I appreciate how hard it is for those who have been cruelly abused to deal with their abusers? Do I glibly suggest that they “bless and not curse” them? This Psalm at least suggests that, though they abuse victim should honour God’s role in their survival, that they must also deal with their abusers somehow. Their abusers need God’s mercy too, but maybe it will take suffering and hardship – of the kind they put on others – to help them see their sin, and truly repent.
PRAYER:
Lord, forgiving those who have abused us is impossible for us, it is only possible with Your help. Help me to be open to forgive those who wrong me in even small ways, and open my eyes to the ways that I am cruel to others. May we all see with Your eyes the effect our our mistreating others. Amen.
Thank you for sharing this, Jill. Your honesty is a powerful testimony for many, but also for me. It is this kind of honest struggle that makes your faith real, not plastic, and inspires me and others to look beyond the cliches and glib statements… and still to trust in God in the end.
I have never been abused, though I have been with many people who have. My lack of understanding makes me very hesitant to speak into their situations, but your story (and others like you) inspire me to be able to speak honestly and openly with those who struggle, and say, “listen to what they have to say”! God is speaking through you, now also through your daughter!!!
YES, one can love and hurt their kids in the same time frame. I have, in ways known and unknown to me. What I thought was the best at the time… which in the end was more an expression of my own anger, hurt, frustration, fear, struggle. No excuses, we must always strive to be better, and apologize when we fail, but thank God that He somehow uses our weak and pathetic efforts to accomplish a greater good.
Thanks you, thank you, thank you!
This Psalm and reflection was a bit of a shock today…..
But it is helpful to me when other people bring up this painful subject…..
The pain of realizing that I hurt my own children is probably worse than the pain of all the abuse I suffered myself. I hurt my children with words and with hitting. At the time I knew it was wrong, but I had no self control and I did not understand the effects because I was so damaged myself…but that is no excuse …..it was wrong……
My daughter uses me as an example, to a child with an abusive mom(not with mom now). She tells the child how God can change moms and how she knows because she sees that I am a very different person now. We have a good relationship.
God has and is healing me and He continues to heal my children too.
But I hate the fact that I hurt my kids.
I also loved my kids, I sang with them, cared for them, taught them about God, found help them, ……
Can one love and hurt ones kids in the same time frame?
Yes…. though that is hard to believe…
By the grace of God I can forgive my abusers and leave them to Him to deal with……
By the grace of God I can trust Him to heal those I hurt…..
By the grace of God I can forgive myself…. most days……