Article September 23, 1985 Issue

Spiritual help in dealing with abuse

BARBARA M. VINING

Has anything that was said or done by anyone ever had a hurtful effect upon you? Have you felt abused—if not physically, perhaps mentally or verbally? Has anything you've ever said or done had a hurtful effect upon anyone else?

Where the problem of abuse is concerned, everyone has a part to play in eliminating it. At the very least, we can begin with ourselves. Couldn't we all be more patient, more gentle and understanding with a child or teen-ager, more loving and forgiving with a friend, spouse, or fellow worker? To whatever degree human thoughts, words, or acts are hurtful, they are abusive and must be corrected.

Gloria (not her real name) learned a great deal about this needed corrective and healing work.

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