Have you ever sat in church or in a conversation and heard something that just did not sit right in your spirit? Maybe you ignored it at first. Maybe you told yourself you were overreacting. However, over time, you began questioning yourself, your judgment, or even your sanity. If that has happened to you, you are not alone. This is the question we need to ask when something feels spiritually off: What happened to me? That question is often the beginning of clarity.

The most insidious form of spiritual abuse doesn't demand, "Obey me." It whispers, "Your hurt reveals what God needs to heal IN YOU first."

Many, including myself, have found it difficult to pray or to seek support from others for fear of being misunderstood. After I left this belief system, I cried out to God for help in this area, with the hope of one day guiding others—especially women—into a more authentic prayer life. What He gave me was profound: the gift of biblical lament.

You may have heard the term "spiritual abuse" being thrown around some lately, but don't know exactly what to look for.