Written by Min. Che’ri Humphrey, M.ED. 1/16/13;,rvs'd 1/29/13
Founder & President of Diamonds In The Rough (DITR)…Finding The Spirit In Me!
Note: This article is sent out in an automatic email blast to those on its original list through this site. Please email me if you like to be added or removed. Thank you & God bless.
"Break What's Breaking You"
ABUSE: THE NEED TO SPEAK OUT
In the last article I delved into the area of forgiveness because I wanted to let you know that it is necessary in taking your power back if you've been a victim in the past, or are currently a victim, or are on your journey of healing and recovering from past abuses. If you've never suffered any type of abuse this article may not be for you, but it can help you understand somethings; loved ones who've suffered from abuse, and possibly help someone else cope and heal from being violated and damaged in such a profound way. For you pastors if you don't learn, or teach yourself about the issues that stem from those attempting to recover from abuse, the consequences, the dangers, behaviors in which people cope, etc, it will be most difficult for you to effectively help them in the progress of healing aside from the Holy Spirit and prayer which in some cases is merely not the only answer; ALL avenues of health needs to be accessed.
The most common phrase I hear as a survivor that has come from some clergy in the Black church or the Black family is, "Get over it. Let it go." Possibly, it's because so many us have been abused stemming back to slavery that misuse of authority, inappropriate behaviors concerning discipline, and issues surrounding abuse have become "norm" or have us in a state of being desensitized. I'm not saying everyone, but the Black family's style of discipline is and has been different from other cultures; mindsets were not hereditary, yet ideologies, socialization, and mannerisms have been passed down whether we realize it or not. Not everything Grandma may have done or did was right; or not everyway your mother or father disciplined wasn't the proper way, but may have in fact been more damaging in the development of some children, in a lot cases. As a people we've endured so much in the past 400 years that the ways of our culture are deep seeded and rooted from a culture that wasn't ours in the first place just blended, or adopted ways.
Grandma may have hit her kindergartner in the head with a stick in the 30's, but that's not acceptable discipline today. Believe me I do believe in discipline and its needed in rearing a child. However, such behaviors as name calling, threatening the life of a child, being overly protective as to hinder a person's autonomy; hitting with objects like buckles, extension cords, branches, bricks, irons, sticks, choking, blackening eyes, bruising and welting the body, or spitting, starving a person, preventing them from going to school, staying up in a chair all night or in a corner, depriving them of social interaction as a normal position of punishment, keeping them from being clean or being able to keep themselves clean, etc., isn't acceptable and is considered ABUSIVE. If you don't think so tell the authorities your ways of discipline and see what they'll say or do.
Every parent should have the right to discipline their child, but if you suffered abuse as a child you may think it’s okay because that's what was done to you! It's not! Change, try creative methods, use positive reinforcement, be firm and consistent; not a tyrant or a dictator and you may get better results; be the parent not the friend while they're young, and let them know what consequences will be executed without having to beat them like a stranger on the street.
By having that ole' mindset of "Get over it girl. It happened to us all," or "So, what! Let it go!" isn't going to help the situation. You only can let go when you’ve faced the violation, have sought the Lord in your healing and/or sought professional help. You must remember; or acknowledge, if you do remember, and the next step in forgiveness; forgive the assailant and remove any shame or guilt that comes with such emotional infractions and physical pain. That could take a life time, or it could take years depending on the individual. In fact you may do more damage than you realize whether intentional or not. Yes, the goal should be living a healthy life for the person and the those in their lives. Also, being socially, economically healthy, productive in society, home, and community, but let's be honest most Americans are unhealthy in some way; not dealing with past hurts, living in dysfunctional home environments, dealing with depression, or addiction in some shape or form whether shopping or doing drugs. Or maybe you're addicted to controlling others because you feel inadequate or have low self- esteem, and in fear you may lose someone or something. It's addictive behavior.
You can't heal what isn't addressed. So, before you get to the step of LETTING GO, let yourself seek someone medical counseling or help. Come to grips with the violation, and offenses by accepting which should be the first step. You can't move on if the violation isn't properly dealt with, or if you're still being abused in some way. That only makes the wounds deeper, or causes you to cover up or pacify the wound for the time being. Then realize later it's affecting your intimate relationships, work, relationships with your children or mate. If you're mentally challenged, or addicted to a substance, or addicted to being abusive and misusing authority in your life takes ownership. Many times this subject is swept under the rug and made to be "hush hush," and many are afraid to speak out and have a voice. If NO JUSTICE has resulted from you revealing what's happened wounds can just fester. We're not talking about revenge, but vindication for the person who has been or is being violated through the judicial system, home, or in any relationship.
It's very funny to me that Michael Vick can get time for abusing dogs, but someone who rapes a child or an adult goes free or gets a slap on the wrist then we say, "Get over it." It's ludicrous to me how a person can be blamed for the actions of the abuser or person who took advantage of them; yet we see animals that have suffered and are abused by their owners on TV which is terrible and very upsetting, but we have more compassion for the animals. Not speaking for everyone, but some. Yes, it's wrong in both cases animals and human beings, but we don't blame the dog or the horse for its sufferings and victimization, and ask it, "What did you do to cause yourself to be abused?" However, in some instances most people will look at adults and accuse them of their own abuse, even their own abuse when they were a child, or just for being in the situation that they couldn't control. This is crazy. I don’t condone abuse or animals, children, or anyone including that towards men. Ridicule from others, crossing healthy boundaries, criticism, and further victimization by others looking in will NOT help because usually the victim is already vulnerable, frightened, hurting, confused, or is without support or resources.
It's also funny how we can go way back to the Holocaust, and every year we remember the injustices and abuses that African Americans suffered (and sometimes still are suffering) when we watch Roots, or hear about the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade around this time of the year when we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. or Malcolm X; Black History. What about the injustices that take place every 30 seconds? What about the injustices towards the elderly, the handicapped, inter-racial couples, those in alternative lifestyles, children, and women by way of abuse? How can we ask these people to heal when they are currently suffering as a whole from abuse like the injustices from the racial biases of the Holocaust, or slavery, etc.? It may be on a different scale, but still it's a CRIME; abuse, infraction, injury, damage, suffering, incision, and emotional deep-seed wounds. Many of the slave women were forced to have sex with slave owners and their husbands were normally in a place where they could do nothing about it. It's a violation to steal someone's livelihood, innocence, sanity, or joy by exerting misuse of power and control over an individual.
Spiritually we'd say it's the devil, or evil, or demonic attack by way of a human being to carry the offense out. That is true that the devil will use anyone willing, and I do believe is an evil spirit, but let's be real-ABUSE HAS TO END no matter what it is. People must start standing up for those who are unable to stand up for themselves. It's like telling a bad cut that needs stitches to stop playing games and heal! Get over it cut, and stop bleeding! You can't dictate how or when a person will heal. God can do wonders when you come to him people that doesn't excuse others from doing their part. It's ridiculous to tell the cut hurry up and heal. Without the proper medical attention that cut will become infected, and worsen. If it heals it will heal the wrong way then leave a nasty scar with discoloration and possibly infection still inside. Who is anybody to tell anyone to just let slavery go, or forget about the Holocaust, forget what MLK did because it was so long ago; forget you lost your home, or your child was murdered in the Sandy Hook killings. That's insensitive, hateful, wrong, out of line, offensive, ignorant, and mean. Furthermore, does NOTHING TO HELP THE INDIVIDUALS needing to heal. Christ, compassion, love, forgiveness and real help will do wonders over a course of time. Still, it doesn’t mean that you’ll never remember what took place, but it will help you to move forward positively.
Abuse is a broad subject that many, especially those in the church don't like talking about. Like homosexuality, abortion, homelessness, addiction, and other sensitive topics such as abuse they must be learned of, and people need to be taught on how to live as a Christian dealing with these issues and what to do to overcome that's practical steps to take without damaging or hurting someone further trying to "deliver" someone without knowledge of what you're doing. What happens to the woman being abused clergy who happens to be her husband? Or the teenager who goes home to being molested on a regular basis after leaving school or church; or the baby that’s being slapped and bullied when no one’s looking by the person claiming to be a Christian? Please tell me because I’d like to know. Christ said, “…come as you are,” and “love covers a multitude of sins,” and He didn’t pick and choose who He’d love and shed his grace on. From what I know the blood covers all sins when He was on that cross, and anyone was welcomed into the kingdom if they accept Him in their hearts. So don’t shun the mother who’s afraid to speak up, or the gay guy at church because you may not know true Hollywood story. Abuse causes scars you can’t see with the human eye, initially, and can fester in to so many other areas if not treated properly.
Healing from abuse is not only a simple method of prayer and deliverance. It takes everything that can be done to mend it. Although I know for myself what the Holy Spirit is capable of, and how it was just that person in the Godhead that took away the desire to drink, but I tried will all my might despite the struggle to learn, get help, counsel, pray, and the list goes on. God came in when He knew I had exhausted all, but I learned much in the process. However, the drinking and many other devices were the behaviors being acted out unproductively from something much deeper; hurt, and the pain of abuses. Violations from those you’re supposed to be able to trust. How much worse it is for those victims who are raped, and/or beaten randomly off the street or for those who’ve had their homes broken into endured the suffering from these crimes? Do we tell them they shouldn’t have been on that street? Do we criticize them for not having ADT?
Some people are dealing with severe pains that are so deeply rooted people must be able to utilize, and access all their resources to overcome, be a survivor, and learn how not to be victims over and over again whether economic victimization of abuse, or some other form. If you see it, help them if you can instead of talking about them. Like I said if you've never suffered from abuse, you may not understand, agree, or even fathom the type of victimization that is prevalent and occurs within 1 and 4 girls in this country. That means if your congregation has 500 people, you have 125 girls/women sitting in the pews that have been sexually molested, raped, or assaulted.
Prayer, time, and God will help those wounds to be mended it’s true because God is a restorer and mender of broken things, but ruling out professional medical attention in many cases is just not wise. God can heal anything, but the victim has to be willing to take the first step and have a great support system to do it. He gives us the resources to receive that we need; and not every survivor or those in an abusive situation are going to heal or receive help in the same manner. It may take longer for some, more than others. Yet we have to include Christ and allow Him to help us heal, wisdom to get the proper medical attention, and seek the proper resources to guide you on a better track.
Every 30 seconds a child dies from abuse. There are proper steps to take; unfortunately, some will be able to move on with their life and cope, maintain, move forward. Then there are those who will need therapy, group counseling, formal medical attention in some form. Then there are those who never come out because they continue the abuse inflicted on them into self-destruction which usually leads to isolation, death, jail, addiction, unhealthy relationships, mental conditions, and more. Are the parents, pastors, teachers, bosses able to deal with that type of recovery without hurting people worse? They themselves maybe be one who has overcome being abused themselves, and may or may not have fully and totally healed from it. The offenses of violence and control are not something that is forgotten. The memory stays for a lifetime, but the pain doesn't have too. Now let's get the facts.....
ABUSE:
DEFINITION OF ABUSE (general) - Mistreatment by one human being to another, or inhumane treatment of animals. It's a global health problem, and epidemic that's increasing or being.
ABUSE CAN BE:
Child Abuse, sexual molestation or sodomy, rape, date rape, domestic abuse; misuse of authority whether in a work settings, church, organization, in the military service, drug or alcohol abuse, abuse of elder care, child care abuse, causing emotional and psychological trauma, bullying, threatening, school or college settings between teachers and students for example.
WHERE IT CAN HAPPEN:
Home, School, Daycare, Work, Armed Forces, College, Church, an Organization;
and in any type Relationship whether; with a parent, spouse, lover, dating, child on child, adult on Child, child to elderly, adult to elderly, elderly to child, parent to child (ex.. Narcissistic Parents who abuse)
TYPES OF ABUSE ARE:
DOMESTIC- Normally, stems from intimate partner violence, including; physical, sexual, threats of violence, psychological and emotional abuse; neglect and deprivation, family violence; alcohol and drug abuse (dependency) leading to self-inflicted abuse or others in the household.
DOMESTIC ABUSE- Note this isn't always about violence, it's about CONTROL & POWER over another. Many have never been physically assaulted. The ways the abuser tries to control you may not be obvious.
1) PHYSICAL ABUSE- intentionally using physical force to harm, injure, disable or kill; can use weapons, restraints, body size, or weight.
Examples-burning, biting, choking, grabbing, punching, pushing,throwing, scratching, shoving, shaking, and slapping.
2) SEXUAL ABUSE-Forcing someone to have sex; having sex with someone unable to refuse due to disability, illness, intimidation, alcohol or drugs.
(ex. Date Rape, Incest, random sexual abuses, marital rape, human trafficking, prostitution, etc.)
A) Using force to compel them two have sex against their will regardless if the is finished or not.
B) Attempting or having sex with someone unable to understand the nature of the act or unable to decline participation or is unable to communicate their willingness.
C) Abusive sexual contact of any kind (human or any sexual act with animals; bestiality
3) THREATS OF VIOLENCE-Using words, gestures, motions, looks, or weapons to communicate a threat to harm, injure, disable, rape or kill them. It doesn't have to be carried out to be abuse
4) PSYCHOLOGICAL & EMOTIONAL-Using acts, threats of acts or coercive tactics to cause someone emotional trauma. If there has been previous physical or sexual abuse in the relationship any further threat is psychological and emotional. (easily hidden acts that are undetectable to others usually no physical evidence aside from cyber abuse, identity theft and the emotional scars it leaves on its victims)
A) Humiliation
B) Controlling what victim can do or can't do
C) Withholding information
D) Diminishing or embarrassing the victim
E) Isolating them from family or friends
5) NEGLECT & DEPRIVATION-Withholding finances, education, food, clothes, shelter, medical leading to suffering or death; denying the victim access to other resources.
6) FAMILY VIOLENCE-Mistreatment between 2 or more members of a family, including, but not limited to; parent to child, adult child to elderly parent, sibling to sibling, or intimate partner to intimate partner.
- Sometimes resorting to physical violence; or has started from physical violence and uses other means of gaining power and control over another member of the family.
- Economic control over you:
Deny you access to family assets like bank accounts, credit cards, or use of a car?
Control your finances, force you to account for what you spend or take your money
Prevent you from getting or keeping a job or from going to school
Limit your access to health, prescription or dental insurance
c) Psychological & Emotional Abuse:
Threaten to report you to the authorities for something you didn't do?
Make you afraid by using looks, action or gestures
Threaten to harm or kidnap the children
*Display weapons as a way of making you afraid or directly threaten you with weapons;
Use of anger or losing temper as a threat to get you to do what he/she wants
Threaten to expose your sexual orientation to friends, family, or employer
Threaten to report you to INS or immigration
7) DRUG OR ALCOHOL ABUSE-social dependency, isolated dependency, powerless of the drug of choice; unable to function without it on a daily basis. This causing chemical imbalance which leads to needing treatment; some agree a person is more prone to this behavior if there's a history of drug dependency in the family; hereditary likeness you may struggle in this area.
8) ADDICTION or DISORDER which leads to abuse of self and/or others (outside of alcoholism and drug addiction)
9) INHUMANE TREATMENT OF ANIMALS-neglect, verbal, and/or physical abuse to an animal brought on by a caretaker or owner usually.
10) MISUSE OF AUTHORITY/ABUSE IN WORK ENVIRONMENT, CORP/ORGANIZATIONAL, OR GROUP such as the armed forces, on the job, church, school, and/or a social affiliation
11) BULLYING-involving an imbalance of power, aggression, and negative action which is always repeated onto their victims
12) CYBER BULLYING (Internet Abuse, newly enforced federal E Laws to protect those who suffer from this and Identity Theft)-
Bullying through email, instant messaging, chat rooms, exchanges, web site posts, or digital messages or assistant (PDA); like traditional bullying involves and imbalance of power, aggression, and negative action which is always repeated
~Characteristics are: Anonymity (not seen), Accessibility (hackers, eavesdroppers, snoops, identity thieves, stalkers, x lovers, psycho- logical and emotional abuse falls here; Punitive Fears, Bystanders (watching, and knowing yet not doing anything to stop it so they participate too)
~Forms are:
Harassment- repeatedly sending rude, offensive, or insulting messages
Denigration- distribution, derogatory, or intruding,
Flaming- online phishing,
Impersonation-breaking into email, or social network, accounts; send vicious or embarrassing information, or to steal information
Outing & Trickery-tricking someone else into believing you are someone else, or tricking them into believing you are someone they can reveal or share secrets or personal information,
Cyberstalking- repeatedly sending messages that include threats or harmful, intimidating messages; make person afraid for their safety and fear of trusting.
SIGNS OF RECOGNIZING DOMESTIC ABUSE-
(ex. Psychological and Emotional Control)
Ask yourself the following:
- Does the person call you names or put you down?
- Does the person make racial or homophobic slurs towards you?
- Does the person constantly criticize or undermine you or your abilities?
- Do they behave in an over protective way, or become extremely jealous?
- Do they make it difficult for you to see family, or friends, or BAD mouth you to family, or friends. (ex. Sabotage your relationships?)
- Do they prevent you from going where you have to go?
- Do they humiliate you or embarrass you in front of other people?
SIGNS OF A PERPERTRATOR OR IS THAT PERPERTRATOR YOU?
TOP 10 SIGNS OF AN ABUSIVE MAN (S. Alexander)
- Jealousy and possessiveness
- Controlling
- Superiority complex- always right, has to win, or be in charge, blame others while their actions are always justified.
- Manipulative-tells you you're crazy or stupid so the blame is turned on you. Tells others YOU are unstable.
- Mood swings
- Punishes you-emotionally or verbally abusive
- Unwilling to seek help
- Disrespects- thinks others are worthless or stupid
- Has a history of abusing women (partner), animals, or self.
- Actions don't match words-breaks promises, says they love you then they abuse you.
ABUSIVE FEMALE PERPETRATORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
SIGNS OF AN ABUSIVE WOMAN ("Female Abusers-Relationship Warning Signs for Men" Men Hurt Too)
- Insulting, belittle, ignore you, act sulky, or angry when you initiate an action or idea
- Tells you who to be friends with, how to dress, tries to CONTROL elements of your life.
- Talks negatively about men
- Gets jealous when there is no reason
- Drinks heavily, uses drugs, or tries to get you drunk
- Berates you for not wanting to get drunk, or high, or have sex, or go with her to an isolated or personal place
- Physically violent to you or others by grabbing, pushing to get her way
- Intimidating or invading PERSONAL space, touching when you tell her not to
- Can't handle sexual or emotional frustrations without becoming angry, sulky, or withdrawn
- Doesn't view you as an equal, sees herself as smarter or socially superior
- Goes through extreme highs and lows; kind one minute and cruel the next
- Angry to the point you change your behavior to please her
ABUSIVE PERSONALITIES: Jealousy, controlling behavior, quick involvement in intimate relationships, having unrealistic expectations, isolation, blame shifting for problems, blame shifting for feelings, hypersensitivity, cruelty to animals, cruelty to children, playful use of force in sex, rigid gender roles, verbal abuse, Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde (bipolar or schitzophrenia not to be mistaken with normal mood swings, PMS, or depression), drinker or substance abuse user, history of being battered or sexually abused themselves, negative attitude toward women if a man, threatening violence, breaking or striking objects, and force during an argument they'll use.
ACORNS: ADULT CHILDREN OF NARCISSISTIC PARENTS
VINDICTIVE NARCISSISTS (NPD-Narcissistic Personality Disorders)
Narcissism- Over inflated sense of self-importance; believe they're superior and strive for others to admire them. They take offense to criticism and have low self-esteem.
Narcissistic Parents (primarily mothers)-Manipulate children and create unhealthy living environment; self-consumed, concerned about SELF too much to meet the needs of the child
"What are the signs of a narcissistic mother? (Wisegeek.com)
I. Excessive preoccupation with THEMSELVES
II. LACK ABILITY TO GIVE their children the emotional support they need to be well adjusted.
III. IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE
IV. Often rebuff or scorn children's attempts at affection or an emotional connection
V. Create lasting impacts on their children that create various problems as an adult
~causing frequent trouble forming healthy relationships
~increased rates of DEPRESSION OR ANXIETY
VI. They can't perceive other having needs of THEIR OWN
VII. VALUE CHILDREN ONLY BASED ON LIMITED BASIS AS LONG AS THE CHILDREN CAN BE BENEFICIAL TO THEIR NARCISSISM IN SOME WAY. Caring about how your achievements affect her reputation and how SHE LOOKS TO OTHERS.
X. HABITUAL LYING!!!!!!!
XI. DEROGATORY comments, yet PRETENDING to be a caring parent
XII. GIVING THEIR CHILDREN, CHILDREN IN GENERAL VERBAL OR NONVERBAL QUES to hold them in less esteem
XIII. Often DEMEAN OR REFUSE TO LISTEN to the opinions or ideas of others
XIV. REFUSE TO REALIZE ADULT CHILDREN ARE NO LONGER YOUNG ENOUGH TO BE EASILY MANIPULATED@!
XV. TRYING TO TAKE AWAY CHILD'S VOICES!
Parent to child or adult child betrayal is common place. Character traits can be or not limited to depending on the how severe the narcissism is.
Other character traits can be: Parents may lack empathy, loyalty of that of healthy parent-child relationships, deviance, such as; hindering the child's progress, making them sick to depend solely on them to maintain control, theft, jealousy, rage, taking ownership of their belongings, using threats or any attempt at inciting fear, provoking with an attempt to entrap, sabotaging the child's relationships so that no one will or is able to keep a friendship or intimate relationship with the child.
There are usually other disorders attached to narcissism that may create abusive personalities.
(Also, see psychological and emotional abuse for NPD Parents)
GET OUT & PLEASE STAY OUT!
"PRAY & PACK" (Micheal Baisden said on a domestic violence show once)
Guidelines to follow:
THIS ISN'T A JOKE WHEN IT'S YOU, YOUR CHILDREN, YOUR MOTHER, SIBLING, OR A CLOSE FRIEND. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO GET OUT BE CAUTIOUS, PRAYERFUL, WISE, STASH SOME CASH IN THE EVENT YOU'RE READY TO GET OUT, DON'T IGNORE ABUSER'S RED FLAGS, IDENTIFY SAFETY AREAS, COME UP WITH CODE WORDS TO SHARE WITH THOSE YOU CAN TRUST TO HELP YOU GET OUT, BE READY WITH YOUR ESCAPE PLAN...
ABUSE HOTLINES/Call centers
(National, or Bridgeport, Fairfield County)
Children & Families, State of CT , Dept of Bridgeport office, 100 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06604, 203.384.5300
OTHER CF STATE OF CT OFFICES:
New Haven Office, One Long Wharf Drive, CT 06511, 203.786.0500
Hartford Office, 250 Hamilton St, Hartford, CT 06106, 860.418.8000
Stamford Office, 401 Shippan Ave, Stamford, CT 06902, 203.348.4294
211 CT
Bridgeport Domestic Violence Hotline 888-774-2900
Bridgeport Cocaine/AA Abuse 800-283-2134
Crisis Crime 800-559-SAFE (7233)
American Humane Society, DC 800-227-4645. To expose publically or just speak to AHS media dept. contact Film and TV office, 818-501-0123
Anti Gay Violence 260-350-HATE OR 718-250-2759
Bridgeport Area for Domestic Violence 800-799-SAFE (7233)
Safe Horizon, Org. 800-621-HOPE
Lippincott's Nursing Center Hotline 800-840-6537
Cyber Addiction 866-569-7077
Cyber Theft 888-400-5530
Bully 215-400-SAFE
Office of Victim Advocacy (CT) 800-822-8428
Connsac 888-999-5545
24 Hr. Sexual Assault Crisis (203)348-9346/731-5204, Domestic Violence 731-5206
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth Support Group 888-843-4564
Suicide Hotline 877-892-9211
To be continued on next article with statistical information, poems, same Hotlines & call centers, webiste, testimony, and counseling centers to help....part 2 coming soon!
Scripture References:
Matthew 5:44-45
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Proverbs 20:22
Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong!" Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you.
And those who know your name put their trust in you,
for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Psalm 22:4-5 Psalm 22:4-5
In you our fathers trusted;
they trusted, and you delivered them.
To you they cried and were rescued;
in you they trusted and were not put to shame.
Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.
91:1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his opinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked.
Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge—
no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
Psalms 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (KJV)
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