I am not the one who keeps up with NFL news. I don't know who plays for whom. I DON'T have a fantasy team. I like to watch a good football game, but that is about it for the NFL. I do like college football (War Eagle).
Well, when I watched the news this morning, I see that a player has been suspended for domestic violence. My reaction was and is...GOOD!
But now I start to think, how many people knew this was going on and did nothing to stop it? Friends? Players? Coaches? Who knew? Somebody knew!
When I have the opportunity to do pastoral counseling, I always tell them upfront, if you reveal to me that there is abuse or violence going on...I will report it. IT MUST STOP!
Now. Not knowing that the NFL deal was going on, Sunday evening I preached from Ephesians 5:22-33. It talks about how husbands should treat their wives and how wives should treat their husbands. NO WHERE does it give permission for one to strike the other! It talks about loving each other with the same type of love that God gives us. The Scripture is filled with instruction on how we treat others and it never mentions hurtful actions.
People are abused and mistreated in many ways.
- Physical abuse
- Actually hurting the other persons body
- Verbal abuse
- Speaking to someone in a hurtful way
- Emotional abuse
- Damaging a persons coping mechanism
- Spiritual abuse
- Belittling a persons faith
It is reported that 95% of abuse victims are women. That means 5% are men. So, it really can happen to anyone.
I was raised in home where I never saw my parents argue. My dad never yelled at my mom. He certainly never hit her. They may have disagreed, but the settled it in a calm and civilized manner. I have been married for 30 years and my wife and I have followed the same pattern. Love each other in spite of a disagreement. It can work! It really can!
It boggles my mind that someone can get so angry that they feel they have the right to hit another person; especially a person that cannot defend themselves. Why would you hit a woman or a child? Is that what you think "real men" do? It is not.
Men...you do not have the right, under any circumstances, to take your frustration out on another human being (or animal) by striking them or yelling at them or threatening them. Make sense? It should.
Treat others with respect and dignity even if you disagree with them.
Abusing others does not make you a man. It makes you a thug.
When you know of abuse...yours or others... you have options.
Tell someone.
Get free.
Get help. http://www.thehotline.org/ or 1-800-799-7233
Matthew 22:36-39 (NIV)
36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
