I HAVE BEEN THERE!

I have been reading a book by Karen Ehman called "Keep It Shut".  And honestly as far as I have gotten it is a good book.  Yet, in the end of chapter two she writes...
"God intentionally orchestrated the relationships in our lives.  He knew who would share your last name - or your four walls"

Well, in having lived in an abusive relationship, this is a big idea to swallow.  And yet in many ways I was seeing in print an idea that I have always felt.  I felt that God sent me into this relationship with my husband.  That I was following God's will and that we would become one and seek God together and be showered with his blessings.  And in some ways I have seen God's blessings, even when I felt I was living in hell.  And yet, it wasn't until I read another words that I was able to see more clearly why I got stuck on that quote...
 
 "This has been heavy on my heart because I know some of us have been in abusive relationships and feel like WHY DID YOU PUT ME THERE? I know that Karen said God orchestrated every person he puts in our life, on our path. Some ladies are seeing those words at the end of chapter two and taking that to mean that in some way you were at fault for being abused or hurt by someone. I want to say this to you today. You were never being punished when you were abused. God did not say it is time to teach her a lesson. He knew what would happen if the person you were with decided to behave a certain way. We all have free will and choices in our lives. We don't have to choose to sin. We don't have to choose to hurt. Some people do and eventually they are punished for their actions. Just as we don't have to choose to hurt someone. God may take that wrong that was done to you and use it to help someone else by putting you in their life. Giving you a chance to say “I HAVE BEEN THERE! And now, I will help you. There is a light on the other side and let me tell you his name is Jesus." Don't read those last paragraphs in chapter 2 and feel shame or sadness or that you were being punished for something. Read that and know that when it was happening, you were never ever alone. God was there, He saw it, He heard your cries for help and He never ever left you. He held your hand and walked you out of that place and said, you are worthy of love and you are loved. I am here to take care of you. And I will never leave you or hurt you. Listen for my voice and follow my lead. I will take care of you. And if you are on the other side, you know He was faithful in that promise. If you are not there yet, hang on tight and ask God to walk you down the path to freedom with His guidance and love. Ask God to put people in your path that will help you. He will! I know he will! " ~ Anonymous

And I am hoping that this can also help you...  That my struggles and my openness are able to bridge a window of clarity to you while you are surviving and seeking to move beyond that help that an abusive relationship can be.