Out of the Closet Into the Light: December 2024

I am asking for special prayers for Jordan. As I write this, he is yet again being rushed to the hospital being very, very ill. And the stress he has been under has only made things worse. The lack of care from others has made it harder for him to bounce back health-wise.

Being taken advantage of and exploited by the very circle of people he thought he could trust, God has finally prompted Jordan to make some changes. Since the people who have basically been in charge of his welfare are never available when he needs them most, those people will finally be removed from his life because of their incompetence and lack of care.

Other than his medical team, he has had no one else local to depend on, and being disabled and needing home health care from time to time, he has been left with no other choice but to put his affairs in charge of reliable people he can trust.

Your prayers for his health and comfort are very much appreciated.

What is Gaslighting?

Gaslighting is an insidious form of manipulation and psychological control. Victims of gaslighting are deliberately and systematically fed false information that leads them to question what they know to be true, often about themselves. They may end up doubting their memory, their perception, and even their sanity. Over time, a gaslighter’s manipulations can grow more complex and potent, making it increasingly difficult for the victim to see the truth.

Having known Jordan for well over a decade now, it really makes me sad and angry to see what he has to deal with from day to day. Jordan is an awesome man who has always done what he could to help others, and he tries to let God direct his life. But that is pretty hard when he has voices coming from every direction telling him how to live his life, and exercising control over him.

Sadly, Jordan's abuse has never stopped. He is still a victim of abuse, just in a different form. I understand it. I see it every day in people around me, and I was once a victim, too. Blessedly, God woke me up and opened my eyes to just how sinful and damaging it is to allow mortal men to step into His shoes and use His name to coerce others.

As I have said many times before, God sees and takes account of

everything. Nothing is kept secret from Him, and all will answer accordingly. We are all in His hands.

I pray that Jordan will be blessed with the strength, not only to make it through his health ordeal, but also break through the spiritual, emotional, and psychological abuse that is constantly heaped upon him.

Again, to those of you who truly care about Jordan and are true friends to him, thank you, and I pray that God's mercy and grace will rain down upon your lives.

Just a few facts:

What Is Spiritual Abuse?

Any attempt to exert power and control over someone using religion, faith, or beliefs can be spiritual abuse. Spiritual abuse can happen within a religious organization or a personal relationship.

Religious Abuse

One form of spiritual abuse, religious abuse, takes place within a religious organization. An example of religious abuse is a religious leader using scripture or beliefs to coerce or control the behavior of members of the organization. You may be experiencing religious or spiritual abuse if a religious leader has:

Used scripture or beliefs to humiliate or embarrass you
Coerced you into giving money or other resources that you didn’t want to give
Forced you to be intimate or have sex that you didn’t want
Made you feel pressured or obligated to do things against your will

These abusive tactics are found both in large, well-recognized faith organizations and in cults. Often, leaders of pseudo-religious groups will use spirituality as a way to exert control over followers. This can have serious consequences for adults and children.

Signs of Spiritual Abuse

Religion and spirituality should be a source of comfort, peace, community, and inspiration in your life. If that is not the case, you could be experiencing spiritual abuse.

You may be experiencing spiritual abuse if your religious leadership or intimate partner is using scriptures or religious beliefs to control your: