Customer Reviews

Keeping the Faith: Guidance for Christian Women Facing Abuse

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I spent far too long in a verbally and emotionally abusive relationship. I thought it was my duty to stay because I had entered a covanent. A pastor told me that should I leave my marriage, I would have to be alone for the rest of my days unless my abusive husband took another wife or died. I was encouraged over and over to turn the other cheek and remember 77*7 and forgive.

But God heard my cries and led me to a book called Changes that Heal, and I learned that grace would always be available to me. I left my husband and filed for divorce. My abusive husband then pursued me (as is classic in the abuse cycle), was baptized and began to attend my church. The pastors began encouraging me to give my marriage and my husband an opportunity to repent for the sake of our daughter. I kept trying to explain that they didn't understand the abuse or the mind of the abuser enough to encourage more 77*7 (forgiveness). Eventually I relented and my daughter and I moved back in with the abuser.

The abuser was on a roll. He had won. The pattern started again within three months. Within a year, he was constantly used the bible to tell me that I was to obey him and stay with the abuse no matter what. A year later in a rage he threatened a neighbor with a gun in the presence of my daughter, and I walked away for good. But my heart was not at peace.

This book brought me peace like nothing else I've ever experienced. It explained God's views to me in a light I wished I had understood years ago. God is a God of love and grace. This book will teach you how that applies to walking away from abuse. Long suffering was Jesus' role, not the role of the abused spouse. I wished I could hug everyone of you that reads this, because you need someone who has been there and understands. God bless you. Read this book and begin taking care of yourself, the child God loves so much.

This book was purchased and distributed by our local Domestic Violence Shelter to women who's faith stood in the way of their safety and sanity regarding whether or not it is God's will for them to live with abuse. I hope to buy more booklets to have available for this dedicated population.

We were fortunate to have some of these booklets to pass out to women in our shelter who were struggling with guilt over whether they were disobeying God's will if they left an abusive relationship. The book offers biblical and sound answers to help Christian women make the best, healthy choice for themselves, their children, and even their spouse. Suggestions for helping from clergy is also included. Very necessary book!

This little book is quick to read and will help give you courage to do what is right. Sometimes Christian women get so bogged down in guilt and the need to save our marriage, that we forget to save ourselves. This book is a must read for anyone in an abusive marriage seeking spiritual guidance. Solid, Christlike interpretation of scripture will offer much needed inspiration and encouragement.

The author deals wisely with the religious aspect of abusive relationships. She uses scripture and reason to shed light on the dilemma of what to do about a relationship which is unbearable because of emotional or physical abuse.

This is a great book for Christian women. I am a victim and was concerned about what the Bible and the Lord would think about me having to get away of my husband because I was in fear of my life. This book points out specific scriptures of what the Bible says about husband's and wives staying together or apart and why it is okay to get away from your husband if he is abusive. I no longer feel guilty about having to get away from my husband. This is an absolutely fabulous book and I would recommend it for any woman who has been abused by her husband.

As a trainer of police officers on domestic violence response, and as a counselor of survivors, I highly recommend this book for all who suspect they are experiencing intimate partner abuse. It is also very important for family and friends. I have given away at least 20 copies to survivors and will continue to. Religion and faith are a foundation for the worldview of many and Ms. Fortune shows us all how scripture, used properly, can support and liberate victims. Keep copies of this book in stock for your clients, family members, and friends.

This is a very short, to-the-point, reference guide for women dealing with abuse. It's a quick read, probably about an hour or less. It is presented in question and answer format. Scriptures are used to answer the questions, but there is very little discussion. If someone wanted to deeply study Scriptures relating to abuse, this would not be the book. On the other hand, for a woman in a crisis situation, who needs quick answers, this would be a great tool, especially if provided to her by a counselor or minister whom she trusts for spiritual guidance.

The Bible has much to say on the marriage responsibilities of both the man and the woman, but some in our culture cite only those that require women to submit to their husbands, even during abuse. For example, "Turn the other cheek," and "Obey your husband." This book's greatest strength is the presentation of other verses which support women protecting themselves. For example: "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If any one destroys God's temple, God will destroy him." Also, "Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them." The book also gives this helpful comment: "To turn the other cheek means that we do not return a blow for blow. But we can walk away from it."

The book's conclusions will be something that today's generation of mainstream Christians agree with. If you are looking for in depth study into the interpretation of the verses cited, you won't find it in this book. But if you just need quick reminders and answers to insecurities about leaving an abusive situation, this book is an ideal tool.

I work at a Sexual Assault Crisis Center and come into contact with many women suffering various forms of abuse. I also do outreach in our community and in doing so, I see the wonderful and the not so helpful responses to violence against women. Unfortunately many of those not so helpful responses come from religious leaders or church going family members that many women are most likely to turn to for help and advice. This book is a fabulous resource for women in abusive situations who are trying to reconcile how to follow their Christian beliefs and find safety, comfort, and healing with the reality of the suffering and danger that they face. Rather than being a prod or stick to keep them in those abusive situations, Fortune reminds us that Christianity's role should be one of healing, loving and protection. The book is also a fantastic resource for religious leaders who may not have a clear picture of what abuse in a relationship really looks like and the obstacles women in those relationships may be facing or what to do for or say to the women who come to them for assistance. After I read it, we ordered a number of copies of the book to distribute to religious leaders in our area. I can't recommend it highly enough.

I wouldn't recommend this to anyone who is detailed or really on a seeking search. This is a very small book, and I found some of the advice in it to be unadvisable. My opinion, of course. ;)