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He loves me – He loves me not…

The question I was asked many times after I escaped an abusive relationship that went on far too long was, “Why did you stay so long?” Well, the answer to that for so many, including me, was, “It’s complicated.”

Sometimes, victims are forced to stay because they cannot afford to leave. Often, fear has overtaken victims to the point that they feel paralyzed and cannot take that first step to freedom. Running and hiding with others becomes even more complicated and difficult, especially when children or pets are involved.

So, don’t judge, don’t blame, and don’t criticize when you have not walked in the shoes of those who live in a world that is more like a prison than a healthy relationship.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and also Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Both conditions wear away at the body and soul of those who are suffering through their disease. Domestic abuse eats away at the soul, and those who are bruised, beaten, and, in worst-case scenarios, many end up dead. This Dis-Ease continues killing people every day, resulting in 1300 deaths and 2 million injuries every year in the United States.

Do your part. Lend a listening ear. Offer assistance, call the authorities when you are aware that someone needs help. Pray for and with those who need encouragement until they can take those first scary steps to freedom. No matter how long it takes to get there, freedom, peace, joy, newfound confidence, and fearlessness make it truly worth every step it takes to get there!

There is life on the other side of abuse.