One Woman's Story of Spousal Abuse Like so many women who marry for life, I thought that, "happily-ever-after" was possible. I believed that since no one is perfect, that I would overlook the nagative and accentuate the positive traits in a potential spouse. In my naievity I believed that if we had problems as partners in life, we could conquer anything together. Never in my wildest imagination would I have thought that I overlooked signs of abuse. I'd live through years of mental torture, and, later physical violence with unbelievable stress in suffering. I ignored the early warning signs, paid the price, and experienced God's equipping to endure to the end. Angelic protection became my reality, as Divine providence ushered me into freedom's call. If I learned anything from my marriage, it is the value of "faithfulness." It's rewards are awesome. My story is hard-core with some chapters, and may be difficult to read for the faint-hearted. If you are able to look beyond the darkness of demonic possession that must be told, you will never be the same. If you think these things existed in Biblical times only, think again, as the breath of God--His Word, will leave you hungry for more.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Christine Rhay was born in Louisiana in 1951, became the eldest of ten children, and is a student of the human condition. She is keenly attentive to the soul nature of mankind, encouraging humanity's highest spiritual potential. Christine's well-honed life skills, seeks a standard of excellence while raising the bar for a greater vision, both mundane and spiritual. Her messages speak to leaders as well as to all serious believers seeking a deeper relationship with Christ. Her degrees pull from years of observance and interacting with humankind on many levels. Ms. Rhay brings to you a well-rounded author's viewpoint from early childhood to the present, with her long-overdue inspiring testimony of hope.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
The nights were my dread, but as the song goes "You Are My Hiding Place," so too I secured myself in Christ. Nearly devoured by the testings of my marriage, I decreased much like the Stealth Fighter which is undetected by radar. Christ, the living God, increased in my life with power, as I became more invisible than not, that is, devoid of an identity other than...my husband's wife. As my marriage progressed, I feared for our lives and I knew that if I made it through this deadly journey, I would forever be changed; I would come to grips with my mortality and human limitations like never before. I learned what it meant to fully lean (Song of Songs 8:5) on the One who delivered me and my children from evil.
The circumstances of my marriage brought me to a most humbling state of mind--a self-realization of my utter frailty apart from Divine equipping. Then, with full-surrender, I was daily transformed with an upright posture as I steadied myself on the Word of God. It is true: "After [we] have suffered awhile, He [makes us] strong, firm and steadfast." Truly, it is God who tears down and then builds up those who respond to Him.
Early on in my marriage, my husband redefined the sacred union of matrimony. With delusions wedged in deception all I could think about was survival--my children my priority. He believed that since he didn't mean from his heart his spoken vows, that he wasn't married. Sara and Randy did not deserve the living hell that had invaded our lives as a result. They deserved better than a mother who had slipped into depression with feelings of entrapment. My husband became a monster, and I became the target of daily threats, vulgarities and non-stop harassments. He preyed upon the children's minds with subtle controls, and I "prayed." When neighborhoods would sleep at night, we were awake. Evil prowled throughout our home, robing us of the night hours that found most people sleeping. But, the fire of judgment (and Truth) would one day break through (ICor.13:6) the thick smoke of my ominous marriage.
Day upon day my husband lacked remorse for his violent behavior--never recognizing that he had a problem, and consequently, the man that I had married became "demon possessed." (It warrants saying that at the core of each of our life-circumstances, is either a mental, emotional, physical, or spiritual root. Mine was the latter, although, I don't believe it started this way).
As the subtleties progressed with the years, stress would kill me if it could. The family that I had always dreamed of became my demise as reality stepped in. But, there is a twist. The darkness could hardly contain us, as my children and I grew in ways that defied the norm. I feared (reverenced) God above all, and the hope that I embraced was God-breathed. His Word became my life, and when I saw no way out the Truth carried us to the end--to the end of this phase of God's perfect plan. When God accomplished in me what He wanted, He set us free.
There are no words to express my love for my Savior. He is the One whose resources I draw from, even today. I humbly bow my heart as I stand in awe of the One who has graced me with "beauty for ashes (Isa.61:1-3)." It was God who pulled me from the viper's pit. It was He who raised me from the dead.
The circumstances of my marriage brought me to a most humbling state of mind--a self-realization of my utter frailty apart from Divine equipping. Then, with full-surrender, I was daily transformed with an upright posture as I steadied myself on the Word of God. It is true: "After [we] have suffered awhile, He [makes us] strong, firm and steadfast." Truly, it is God who tears down and then builds up those who respond to Him.
Early on in my marriage, my husband redefined the sacred union of matrimony. With delusions wedged in deception all I could think about was survival--my children my priority. He believed that since he didn't mean from his heart his spoken vows, that he wasn't married. Sara and Randy did not deserve the living hell that had invaded our lives as a result. They deserved better than a mother who had slipped into depression with feelings of entrapment. My husband became a monster, and I became the target of daily threats, vulgarities and non-stop harassments. He preyed upon the children's minds with subtle controls, and I "prayed." When neighborhoods would sleep at night, we were awake. Evil prowled throughout our home, robing us of the night hours that found most people sleeping. But, the fire of judgment (and Truth) would one day break through (ICor.13:6) the thick smoke of my ominous marriage.
Day upon day my husband lacked remorse for his violent behavior--never recognizing that he had a problem, and consequently, the man that I had married became "demon possessed." (It warrants saying that at the core of each of our life-circumstances, is either a mental, emotional, physical, or spiritual root. Mine was the latter, although, I don't believe it started this way).
As the subtleties progressed with the years, stress would kill me if it could. The family that I had always dreamed of became my demise as reality stepped in. But, there is a twist. The darkness could hardly contain us, as my children and I grew in ways that defied the norm. I feared (reverenced) God above all, and the hope that I embraced was God-breathed. His Word became my life, and when I saw no way out the Truth carried us to the end--to the end of this phase of God's perfect plan. When God accomplished in me what He wanted, He set us free.
There are no words to express my love for my Savior. He is the One whose resources I draw from, even today. I humbly bow my heart as I stand in awe of the One who has graced me with "beauty for ashes (Isa.61:1-3)." It was God who pulled me from the viper's pit. It was He who raised me from the dead.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very Interesting!,
This review is from: Vows Betrayed: A Story Of Abuse, A Transformational Message (Paperback)
I really enjoyed reading the book! I finished it in one day because I couldn't put it down. It was so interesting to read detailed accounts of what someone I know really went through. It is amazing that someone could be so strong through such horrible circumstances as this author was and it encouraged me that (although my marriage challenges don't even compare), God surely has victory for me as well and to completely trust in Him, no matter what things look like!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
D. Miller,
This review is from: Vows Betrayed: A Story Of Abuse, A Transformational Message (Paperback)
The author of "Vows Betrayed," Christine Rhay, gives her accounts of personal history of domestic violence. Diabetes, cancer, heart disease, etc., are all physical illnesses. Emotional and physical abuse comes from a perpetrator with a mental illness. These perpetrators, oftentimes, suffered the horrors of abuse themselves when they were a child and we see the cycle repeated. According to Ms. Rhay, after being victimized and controlled by an abusive husband for many years, God made a way for her escape. The author gives encouragement and hope to anyone who is in an abusive relationship. She also talks about the many warning sings to be aware of, and ought not to be ignored that portray the characteristics of a potential abuser. Yes, it is possible to reclaim your life and dignity and move forward, allowing the healing process to begin, as is evidence from this author's story. Most important, Ms. Rhay shows how faithful God is to those who cry out for His help. The large print and double-space makes this book easy reading
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspirational,
By
This review is from: Vows Betrayed: A Story Of Abuse, A Transformational Message (Paperback)
This book is the real life story of someone who has survived abuse. It gives hope to those in similar situations that their lives can be turned around with God's help. It speaks to those who have not been abused and ask the question, "Why do they stay?" Through those insights, the book compels the reader to look around at who they may know that may be suffering through the same type of life, and possibly avoid the same pitfalls.
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I was born in a small Louisiana town on December 20th of 1951, a bundle of innocence (as my mother would say). Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Holy Spirit, Song of Songs, San Diego, Lake Tahoe, Bride of Christ, Vows Bctravcd, Word of God, Christ Jesus, Big Deal, Christine Rhav, Game Warden, Palm Springs, Vows Betraved New!
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
I was born in a small Louisiana town on December 20th of 1951, a bundle of innocence (as my mother would say). Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Holy Spirit, Song of Songs, San Diego, Lake Tahoe, Bride of Christ, Vows Bctravcd, Word of God, Christ Jesus, Big Deal, Christine Rhav, Game Warden, Palm Springs, Vows Betraved New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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