Verbal and Emotional Abuse – A Primer – Part VII

Reclaiming Your Life

“Then I will make up to you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten…” Joel 2:25

Catching Your Breath

After living so many years in an abusive relationship and finally finding the strength and the will to leave, you want to believe that everything will get easier.

Many things will probably get easier, and others may become more difficult. Hopefully, a little time and distance away from the abuser will enable you to de-stress and rest. You will begin to catch a glimpse of what life is supposed to be like. Just the freedom to be imperfect is a gift. Awaking in bed alone and at peace is a welcome change from waking up alert and afraid; trying to figure out some new way of protecting yourself from someone who is determined to hurt you.

As you begin to feel more confident about your life change, you find the courage to open up to friends and re-engage, enjoy a good book, a favorite old movie, a soothing cup of coffee, and rediscover how it feels to laugh – and really mean it. Take the time to appreciate the wondrous little things that remind you of what life should be like.

On Your Mark, Get Set, Grieve

Although the reprieve is welcome, and it feels like some of the wounds are healing, there is probably a good deal of emotional and spiritual work to be done. It is unwise to try to sweep all of the pain under the rug. Grief is necessary and healthy.

Some of the hurts are obvious: words that cut so deep that they still ring in your ears; lies that were part of your daily diet of destruction that must be faced and rebuked. You will still wonder, “Why did he hurt me?” There is no easy answer. It doesn’t make sense.

When the hurt wells up, it must be allowed and explored – felt. It is part of the healing process. It should also be processed. Much – maybe most – of what you experienced was wrong, plain and simple. It cannot be justified, so don’t try. Rather, identify the cruel actions as abuse. It may not eliminate the pain, but it will help you to de-personalize it. It wasn’t you. You didn’t make him say or do those things. You were a convenient target. Why didn’t he see you? Why couldn’t he hear you? The simplest answer is: He chose not to. You did not (and do not) have the power to help him (or anyone else who doesn’t want to be helped).

It is also likely that bad memories will surface in unexpected places. There’s the park bench where he told me that the sandwiches I made were disgusting, and he wished that I would learn how to cook… This is the dress he bought me to apologize for locking me out of the house in my nightgown when it was freezing cold outside…

It is both hard and healing to revisit those places. Try to learn to stop being sad and get angry instead. What happened to you was wrong.

It’s also therapeutic to rid yourself of possessions or mementos that trigger disturbing memories. Clean out the closets, donate the clothes, burn the birthday cards that take you back there and hold you captive. Make a ceremony out of it. It will firm your resolve that that painful chapter has closed, and a new one is beginning. And, it just plain feels good.

Don’t expect miracles overnight. Allow yourself plenty of time to heal, so that you will be healthy and free to embrace and enjoy the rest of your life.

Rediscover Your Value

The abuser has made a game of undermining you. Your self-esteem has been bludgeoned and bruised by false claims of inadequacy. You may have come to believe that whatever brutality you were subjected to was deserved. You may see yourself as a failure.

It’s time for an extreme makeover. It is time for you to play Cinderella. You need to remind yourself that you do not belong in the ash heap. Remove the tattered outer layer of deceit that has given you a warped sense of your identity and put on truth. Remember who you are. Allow others to affirm and encourage you, and recount the character qualities, gifts and abilities you possess that make you unique and special. They may be latent, but they are there. Purposefully reclaim your identity and your sense of your own value. Doing so is vital if you are to build and nurture your self-confidence, reveal your inner beauty, and develop the inner strength you will need to stand against any who would endeavor to rob you of your worth again.

Make a New Game Plan

Unfortunately, just because you’re not living with the abuser, doesn’t mean he’s let go. Even though we were divorced, my former husband would find excuses to call or stop by our home, then use those occasions to try to assert his dominance and throw verbal darts my way. He would leave long, harassing messages on our answering machine, or call the house every two minutes if he thought we were home and had chosen not to pick up. We were all filled with dread when the phone rang. His harassment continued on and off until I met the man I would eventually marry. (My former husband wisely decided not to tangle with him.) In retrospect, what I should have done was pick up the phone and hang up on him when he started in, or unplug the phone. When he came to the door, I should have asked him what he wanted, told him he had 30 seconds, counted them off, and shut the door. If you don’t force change, things don’t change. You can’t be nice to an abuser. That’s just the way it is.

Forgiveness All Around

With safety, time and distance comes a clearer understanding of the hell that you had been living in. You may be angry because of what feels like the cruel forfeiture of precious years of your life, and perhaps the wounds inflicted on innocent children. As a result, you may become overwhelmed with guilt for not acting saner, smarter, or sooner.

You need to forgive yourself. It serves a purpose to look at where you’ve been, but only for the purpose of grieving, learning from your experience and letting go. Then start working to build the life you want to live.

You will also be much happier if you forgive your abuser. Bitterness only holds you captive, while having absolutely no affect on him. By letting go of what was and embracing what could be, the world will suddenly look a whole lot brighter. It will take time to get there. You have cause to be angry. But, in the end, you don’t want to carry around his garbage for the rest of your life. That doesn’t mean you are obligated to renew any relationship with him. Forgiving means you release him from the consequences of his actions against you. It is simply an agreement to leave any judgment up to God. It doesn’t change the fact that he is poison.

It may feel like you have a long way to go, but don’t give up. You will get there – one step at a time.

Epilogue: The Lord has most certainly restored to me the years the locusts have eaten. My new life with my husband, Doug, my soul mate, is immeasurably blessed, and my children have the privilege of living in a home where there is safety, acceptance and affection. So, I know it’s possible…

Copyright 2011, All Rights Reserved

10 thoughts on “Verbal and Emotional Abuse – A Primer – Part VII”

  1. WOW thank you for sharing your experience.. I really need wisdom in my life at this time. 27 years of emotional abuse and I am still in the relationship. My children BEG me not to end it. Not sure what to do and then I have this hope that God will restore it. I really am in a place of decision and need to know where to go for advice. Love what you wrote. I really could relate to much of it in my own life. Kindly . Ruth.

    1. Hello, Ruth.

      i’m glad you found information that is helpful to you and that you took the time to write, although I am sorry to read of your many years in an abusive marriage. I will be happy to do what I can to provide some feedback and additional information depending on what you are looking for.

      I suppose I wonder why your children want you to remain. And then I wonder why, after 27 years, you continue to believe that the relationship will be restored. Of course, God can restore anything that is broken – but only if the parties involved are willing. Most abusers aren’t interested in changing, or they would do so of their own volition.

      If you are interested in “conversing,” feel free to e-mail me privately on my website at cindy@hurtbylove.com.

      I will look forward to hearing from you.

      Cindy

  2. I needed this tonight. As I read, read, read so much these days, The Lord is growing me substantially. He is preparing me to take that step. I am trusting Him for wisdom on when and how, but it is coming. And I am excited and terrified – I can’t wait to be free from all this, and yet the unknowns are scary.

    1. Hello, MicroGal.

      I know this is scary. But I do believe that as you continue to learn and see abuse for what it is, you will grow stronger. The Lord will lead you and give you the wisdom you need. I’ll be praying for you.

      Cindy

  3. I suspect a relative of mine is in this situation but defends the perpetrator and submits to being isolated from the rest of the family. What would you recommend that a concerned outsider do in this situation?

    1. Hello, Anonymous.

      I’m so sorry to read about your relative’s situation and admit that I was in a similar situation in my former marriage.

      The victim believes that her willingness to abide by her abuser’s demands (assuming it’s a woman) will prove her loyalty and earn his trust and soften his heart toward her. This is a tricky situation, no doubt. The hard part is to get close to her at all, since isolating her gives him power. She is crippled by confusion and fear and has been indoctrinated to doubt her own instincts and to demonstrate respect toward her abuser no matter how toxic he is. The most important thing is to love her and keep communication open to the degree possible. Timing is crucial and, if a conversation is possible, the easiest thing to ask the victim is “Are you happy?” While she may say ‘yes,” such an inquiry gives her the freedom to consider the truth of the matter. The other things you might want to tell her are things like, “I’m here for you if you need me,” or, if the door opens, “Have you ever considered the possibility that you might be in an abusive relationship?” Sad to say, many of us don’t even realize that what we are living in is abusive. To have someone verbalize it is powerful stuff.

      At first, the victim may become defensive and insist that he loves her and she loves him, or that he is going through a hard time. What a victim needs more than anything else is acceptance of where she is and permission to see the truth. Many victims become very angry or cry when faced with this kind of information. It’s important that she knows that you are not against her and, in fact, you are “for” her and want her to be safe and happy.

      Just sowing the seeds of truth for her to think on may open the door to change. Only time will tell. Sadly, we cannot force people to leave abusive relationships. But your love and genuine concern are very powerful gifts you can give her. And if she is ever open to the notion, please refer her here. The first article I would recommend that she read is called “Give Me Five Minutes: Things I Would Like to Say to An Abuse Victim.” I also provide personal coaching, which can be extremely validating and healing for the victim.

      Feel free to contact me privately on the About Cindy/Contact Cindy link – or on here – with other questions. I’ll do what I can to help.

      Thank you for your concern for your relative. I’m glad you took the time to write.

      Sincerely,

      Cindy

  4. Hi Cindy,
    I think it was the grace of God that helped me to stumble upon your website. There is so much information about living with or loving an alcoholic but not so much about leaving one and the aftermath of abuse. I left my husband 6 months ago because of his drinking and abusive behavior. I left because my gut told me it was time to go. It has become clear only after reading many articles, how abusive he really was. He never even yelled or showed much aggression, but he did brainwash me. I still feel sorry for him as he had his cancerous prostate removed 2 years ago. I thought this would change him for the better, but he only grew worse. The only difference is between the abusers and my husband is that he told me that our marriage was over 3 months after I left. I guess I thought he would miss me, but I see it is quite the opposite. I now stay in my mom’s basement telling myself this is better than watching him get stoned every night. My prayers were finally answered and I will be moving into my new home within a few weeks.
    Thank you for this wake-up call. I think I may sleep better than I have in months. Deb

    1. Hello, Deborah. I apologize for the delay in responding…

      I’m saddened to read your account but also very thankful that you have found validation in what I have shared and that you are in a better place emotionally and spiritually.

      I hope you will feel free to email me if I can help or direct you. But you seem to see things quite clearly and, although I know you will have to grieve what was lost, I’m glad to know that you are free from the abuse. I truly believe that a much more positive, purposeful and happier life awaits you.

      Again, thank you for taking the time to write and share.

      Blessings,

      Cindy

Leave a Comment! I try to respond to everyone. We're growing fast, so be patient.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.