No, you’re not crazy

Abusive churches excel at gaslighting people. They taught you to distrust your own body, your own emotions, and your own sense of reality. 

Maybe they told you that you couldn’t leave your husband, even though he was beating you and your children.

Maybe they told you that you had to submit to marital rape, even though your body screamed out that it was wrong. 

Maybe they told you that you had to reconcile with your abuser in the absence of repentance and restitution. 

Maybe they told you that your clothes were immodest and placed the responsibility for men’s lust on you, even though that responsibility wasn’t rightfully yours. 

Maybe they told you that your parents had authority from God to beat you if you embarrassed them. 

Maybe they told you that your heart was deceitful when you asked questions about why sexual abusers mingled freely with unsuspecting people.

Those are lies that dishonor God. 

Your grief is holy and God grieves with you. Your anger is righteous and God’s wrath burns on your behalf.  

You’re not crazy.