Oh, sweet friend. You deserve joy. Love, respect, and peace.

You deserve a man who cherishes you, loves you, and treats you with honor and respect.

You deserve open and honest communication – communication that doesn’t revolve around lies, manipulation and confusion.

You deserve biblical love. Pure and true.

Did you know that, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 out of 3 women will experience physical violence at the hands of their intimate partner? That means we all know someone who has, will, or is currently experiencing physical abuse.

Domestic violence is happening in our neighborhoods, in our churches, and in our places of work.

My prayer is that you know the types of abuse and what to do if you or someone you know is experiencing abuse.

Alright, it’s time to open the textbooks for a second – stick with me, here.

There are six different forms of abuse: physical, emotional, financial, spiritual, digital, and sexual. Many of the forms of abuse go hand-in-hand, meaning that if you’re experiencing one, you’re likely experiencing at least one other. For example, if your partner is raping you, you are experiencing both sexual and physical abuse.

Here are a few examples of each form of abuse:

Okay, we can close the textbook now.

Sweet friend, you are the daughter of The King. He loves you so much that he sent his Son to die for you. You are loved, valuable, and you matter. Your life has purpose.

You don’t deserve abuse. You never have, and you never will.

As a child of God, a daughter of The King, you deserve the purest and truest of loves.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, or if you just have questions, there are resources available. Call your local domestic violence shelter. The advocates on the phone will be able to talk through your situation and provide you with guidance and advice.

Oh, sweet friend. I pray trust, honesty, respect, and devotion over your relationships.

And never forget, you are a child of God.

Jenna Harris is the Communication and Annual Giving Officer at Sheltering Wings, a domestic violence shelter and service provider in Danville, Indiana. To learn more about domestic violence, please visit the Sheltering Wings website or call the 24/7 helpline at 317-745-1496.