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Description: In the first frame, “The back of Sophia’s body”, we see Sophia’s bare back. In the second frame, “The back of Sophia’s spirit”, we see her back but with bloody lashes and bruises. TAKE CARE OF YOUR SPIRITUAL WOUNDS This cartoon, “Sophia’s Back”, is one I treasure very much. It depicts a reality I know exists. I think every therapist should have this hanging in their office. Here’s why: Just because your hurt can’t be seen doesn’t mean it’s not real. Just because your wounds are invisible doesn’t mean they don’t exist. We should all know by now that...

Description: A woman leaves a church and says to the pastor on her way out, “You will never see me again because I refuse to be abused any longer!” 3 STEPS TO END BEING SPIRITUAL ABUSED We end our spiritual abuse series with some practicalities.  Like: “How do I know if I’m being spiritually abused? What can I do about it?” Here are 3 easy steps that I think are most important: 1. Tear back the mystique surrounding your abuser. Reject the idea that a pastor is a holy and untouchable being, who lives in a different moral atmosphere, can never...

Description: A pastor inside a church points to a woman who left and he says to those still with him, “Good riddance! She was so uncontrollable anyway!” BE UNCONTROLLABLE! I’m uncontrollable. What I mean is I do not like being controlled and so I do things to escape being controlled. I was a compliant child growing up. Even as a teen I was compliant. But underneath I was planning my escape. I did when I was 18 when I went to college. But it’s interesting because there have been times I’ve ended up being controlled by an authoritative, charismatic leader. ...

Description: Jesus on the cross surrounded by churches says, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do!" This is one of my old favorites. I still possess the original drawing of this!

A preacher says to his people, “He is the potter. You are the clay. And I am the potter’s hands!” WHY I KNOW SO MUCH ABOUT SPIRITUAL ABUSE I talk about spiritual abuse a lot because it happens a lot. The ignorance around spiritual abuse allows it to flourish. Like a disease: if you don’t believe it exists or is exaggerated then it will continue to kill people and eventually you. I know about spiritual abuse for two reasons:  I inflicted it as a pastor. I received it as a follower. The temptation for any person with power to use...