Welcome to "A Word from the Vine." Today, we're going to explore the topic of human cruelty and its impact on victims. Cruelty can take many forms, such as physical, emotional, and psychological abuse. It can be difficult to recognize and confront because it often occurs in private, and victims may feel isolated and ashamed.
The effects of cruelty can be long-lasting, leading to feelings of fear, shame, and low self-worth. It can damage relationships, affect mental health, and create barriers to healing and recovery. As Christians, it's important to understand the nature of cruelty and its impact on others so that we can show compassion and support to those who have experienced it.
In Psalm 22:1-2, we hear the anguish of feeling abandoned and oppressed by others: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest." This Psalm reminds us that even Jesus himself experienced the pain of cruelty and the feeling of being forsaken.
But in Psalm 23:4, we find comfort in the reminder that even in the darkest times, God is with us: "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." So let us turn to God and seek his guidance and support as we seek to understand and overcome human cruelty. I'm Pastor Loren Christensen, and thanks for joining us for "A Word from the Vine."
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