Marsalis Avenue Church of Christ, Dallas, Texas
  • Welcome
  • Announcements
    • Prayer & Fasting
  • Resources
    • Life Management Center
    • Life Management Resources >
      • Eliminating Excuses
      • Contentment
      • Listening
      • Vision
      • Children and Technology
      • Conflict
      • Parenting Teenagers
      • Caregivers
      • Communication
    • Volunteer Request Form
  • Ministries
    • MACC Members Page
    • Education Department
  • About Us
    • Serving The Real God
    • Real People
    • Staff
  • Leadership
    • Minister Lamont Ross
    • Minister B. Chris Simpson
    • Shepherds
  • Contact

America's Ugly Reality

11/19/2017

1 Comment

 
Over the last several weeks the ugly reality of abuse and harassment in America has been headline news.  Those who have come forward had been suffering in silence for years, and in some cases decades.  While many have come forward, there are still thousands more who continue to suffer in silence.  Like Tamar in 2 Samuel 13, they have been threatened by their abusers, and encouraged by family members and those in power to keep quiet. 

​In 2 Samuel 13, Tamar is violated by her brother Amnon.  King David, their father, learns of the crime, gets angry, but does nothing.  He does not protect his daughter, nor hold Amnon accountable for his crime.  Absalom, another son of David, tells Tamar not to tell anybody what her brother, Amnon, did to her.  Not only does he tell her to be quiet but he tells her not to let what happened bother her.  Tamar would spend the rest of her life suffering in silence.  She was the victim of abuse, but was treated like the abuser.  She was made to feel that she brought it on herself and contributed to her own victimization.  She spent the rest of her life in a destroyed and ruined state.  She was abandoned by all who could help her, deserted, and in personal poverty.  Absalom took justice into his own hands, but Tamar never got the help she needed.

In our families and in our churches, we have those who are suffering in the silence of desolation.  In some instances, people are aware of the abuse but have told the victim of the abuse not to talk about it.  Victims have been told, “Just get over it.  Don’t think about it.  Don’t let it bother you.”  They are never given validation, and the opportunity to hurt so that they can heal.  Those who could help and should help have abandoned the victims and treated them like they did something wrong.    

Although Tamar’s story ends with her suffering in the silence, that does not have to be the way your story ends.  There is salvation from your suffering.  Understand that what happened to you was not your fault.  There was nothing you did to deserve being violated.  You are still valuable, God loves you, and you can overcome what happened to you. 

Spiritually, bring all your painful feelings and hard questions to God in prayer. Invite Him to minister to you through His Spirit and His Word.  And as He heals you, seek to bring His healing to others. Believe that God has a good future filled with new hope in store for you (Jeremiah 29:11).  Walk into your future one step at a time, knowing that you'll make progress with every step you take.  Additionally, support groups, professional counseling, Christian counseling, and agencies that provide resources to victims of abuse have been proven helpful in assisting people in overcoming the pain of abuse. 

If you are currently in an abusive situation make safety your first priority.  You can call 911 for immediate help.  Develop a safety plan in case you need to leave home quickly. For help call 800-799-SAFE for the National Domestic Violence Hotline or 211.
1 Comment
Demetrica Aldridge
11/21/2017 11:22:50 am

Thanks for this biblical application and providing directions for hope.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Minister Ross' creativity, wisdom, and insight have inspired community, church and corporate audiences throughout the United States. 

    His engaging style has touched people of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, and walks of life.

    Archives

    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Location

Address:
2431 S. Marsalis Avenue

Dallas, TX 75216

Join Us For Worship

MACC In-Person Sunday Worship
(Face Masks and Social Distancing Required)
8:00 am: Sunday Worship
9:30 am: Bible Classes (All Ages)
10:30 am: Sunday Worship

Wednesday Virtual Bible Study
7:00 pm (MACC YouTube Channel)

General Information

Phone: (214) 941-2531

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Members Directory
Picture
Picture

Visitors Weekly: 1708  |  Unique Visitors Weekly: 108
Facebook: 2.2K Followers  |  YouTube: 1.18K Subscribers
Updated: August 8, 2022

© Copyright Marsalis Avenue Church of Christ. All rights reserved.

  • Welcome
  • Announcements
    • Prayer & Fasting
  • Resources
    • Life Management Center
    • Life Management Resources >
      • Eliminating Excuses
      • Contentment
      • Listening
      • Vision
      • Children and Technology
      • Conflict
      • Parenting Teenagers
      • Caregivers
      • Communication
    • Volunteer Request Form
  • Ministries
    • MACC Members Page
    • Education Department
  • About Us
    • Serving The Real God
    • Real People
    • Staff
  • Leadership
    • Minister Lamont Ross
    • Minister B. Chris Simpson
    • Shepherds
  • Contact