Biblical Counseling.pdf - Online Christian Library

4. Seek the defuse the suicide plan if possible. Have them promise to unload the gun,or dispose of the drugs, or seek company, call you before they do anything rash,etc.C. Things Not to Do or Say.1. Don't make light of the situation, this could be their last try for help, even if itappears unlikely to you.2. Be careful not to load on guilt concerning their thoughts toward suicide. Theyprobably already carry a heavy load of guilt.3. Do not leave the person alone. A relative, friend, neighbor or church memberneeds to stay with him or her.4. Do not allow yourself to be upset--anxious, fretting, angry, etc., for the personneeds a calm, controlled, capable person to counter his or her emotional imbalance.VI. Counseling Where There Is Domestic Violence and Abuse.Many a home is traumatized because of the eruption of abuse and anger. So often theweakest are the victims. Domestic violence and abuse can be physical as well as verbal, as inwife or child beating. Even battered husbands and elderly is not uncommon, sad to say.Sometimes it is sexual abuse. Or it may be emotional for here the cruelty is verbal and thewords do hurt deeply. Such problems plunge the family into crisis.A. The Immediate Concerns.1. You must beware of the potential for continued and even more severe violence andabuse. The victim's safety is of primary concern.2. A victim should never stay in a situation where violence or abuse continues or isthreatened. Seldom do the pleas that it won't continue mean much without totalrestructuring of the lives.3. Call the police where it is in process, and follow their instructions.4. Never promise strict confidentiality for you may not be able to keep such apromise, either legally or morally.B. Things You Must Keep in Mind.1. Small children nearly never make up sexual abuse charges. They cannot make upsomething about which they know nothing.2. Spouse abuse is rarely a chosen response. It is a response born in passion andfrustration. Usually self-hatred, sinful habits, anger, and poor coping with life ingeneral underlie the problem.3. Often abused children do not expect anyone will believe them, hence. they will notdivulge information harmful to the abusing parent, whom they still love.©2000, Revival in the Home Ministries 73