Psychologist.Trauma Expert. International Speaker. Consultant. Author. https://linktr.ee/dianelangberg?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=6b3b4f52-72f4-4cb4-9419-f034fba65a75https://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.social/post/3mlvj5umcnk22We are not called to protect our institutions, nor do we protect the God of truth by covering up sin and/or a crime. To do so is to “protect” a cancer—and cancer kills. We honor God by caring for the wounded and by dragging sin to the light and calling it by its right name.15 May 2026 14:10 +0000at://did:plc:tjhvwkuqqsofmdtrjvkvrktr/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlvj5umcnk22https://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.social/post/3mltpvdkgcs2bIt is clear that we hate the exposure of sin and will deny, justify, and blame in order to escape responsibility. The Scripture is also clear that sin is the worst thing in the world—not exposure, not getting caught, and not the loss of all things.14 May 2026 21:06 +0000at://did:plc:tjhvwkuqqsofmdtrjvkvrktr/app.bsky.feed.post/3mltpvdkgcs2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.social/post/3mlr7hwwow22wHaving a mix of knowledge, intellect, and skill increases the likelihood that a leader will be granted unfettered, sometimes automatic authority by the people they lead.13 May 2026 21:06 +0000at://did:plc:tjhvwkuqqsofmdtrjvkvrktr/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlr7hwwow22whttps://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.social/post/3mloowwiyp22gAbuse damages a survivor's thinking when it is shaped throughout childhood by lies & deceit. Such beliefs as "I am worthless, God is not good, love does not exist, and no one can be trusted” are very strong. The work of discerning truth from the lies taught is a tremendous job.12 May 2026 21:05 +0000at://did:plc:tjhvwkuqqsofmdtrjvkvrktr/app.bsky.feed.post/3mloowwiyp22ghttps://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.social/post/3mlm6iihvl22tWhen emotional power and verbal power are combined in ways that speak to the deep longings of people’s hearts, the force is great. Add spiritual language evoking the authority of God, and you can manipulate vulnerable people in hideous ways.11 May 2026 21:05 +0000at://did:plc:tjhvwkuqqsofmdtrjvkvrktr/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlm6iihvl22thttps://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.social/post/3mle5q47cfk2lSuffering people often need others to have faith and hope for them. Admonitions to hope or trust often result in despair; if the sufferers were able, they would do so. It is often helpful to say, “I know you struggle to hope right now. I will hope for you.”08 May 2026 16:31 +0000at://did:plc:tjhvwkuqqsofmdtrjvkvrktr/app.bsky.feed.post/3mle5q47cfk2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.social/post/3mlc476tnjk25If you are gifted to bear the burdens of others, then it is God’s work you have been gifted to do. We think it is our work, and then we ask Him to help us with our work. That is backwards. It is His work; the people are His people. You are doing God’s work for Him.07 May 2026 20:58 +0000at://did:plc:tjhvwkuqqsofmdtrjvkvrktr/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlc476tnjk25https://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.social/post/3ml7m7maj3c2zWe can say we love God, but if we hate another or judge them as “less than,” we are liars. We can say we love God, but if we deem victims of abuse or people of another race or ethnicity as less than, we make it clear that we are liars, and the truth is not in us.06 May 2026 21:06 +0000at://did:plc:tjhvwkuqqsofmdtrjvkvrktr/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml7m7maj3c2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.social/post/3ml53rwuzjs2fThe use of verbal and emotional mistreatment to silence a victim, coupled with power used to prevent exposure of an abuser, can have catastrophic outcomes in a person’s life. The combined abuses constitute a life-destroying tsunami.05 May 2026 21:07 +0000at://did:plc:tjhvwkuqqsofmdtrjvkvrktr/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml53rwuzjs2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.social/post/3ml2l7t462c2yScripture can be twisted and used out of context to corrupt or to control humans who assume that a pastor is a trustworthy person. This power is intensified by the fact that many see a minister as speaking for God—indeed, a pastor may tell people that they are doing exactly that.04 May 2026 21:05 +0000at://did:plc:tjhvwkuqqsofmdtrjvkvrktr/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml2l7t462c2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.social/post/3mks4yqmyec2lIt is a grievous failure of those who claim to be the people of God when they not only fail to be a sanctuary for the traumatized but also create the need for one.01 May 2026 12:30 +0000at://did:plc:tjhvwkuqqsofmdtrjvkvrktr/app.bsky.feed.post/3mks4yqmyec2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.social/post/3mkqjganvoc24Our God is characterized by justice, care, and concern for the oppressed and defenseless. Woe to those who are unjust and deprive the vulnerable. (Isaiah 10:2)30 Apr 2026 21:07 +0000at://did:plc:tjhvwkuqqsofmdtrjvkvrktr/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkqjganvoc24https://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.social/post/3mknxvc5qz22vPeople who have been abused have been saturated with evil, lies, manipulation, humiliation, and rage. How they need to sit with the loving and truthful character of the Father in you! They do not just need to hear about it. They need to experience it in you, in the flesh.29 Apr 2026 20:47 +0000at://did:plc:tjhvwkuqqsofmdtrjvkvrktr/app.bsky.feed.post/3mknxvc5qz22vhttps://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.social/post/3mkliyyleok2vSurvivors often lose their place in the church for speaking the truth about their abuse. They lose any status they had. They lose honor and trust. All because of the things that were done TO them. Rather than accuse and disparage them, we must see them and embrace their courage.28 Apr 2026 21:16 +0000at://did:plc:tjhvwkuqqsofmdtrjvkvrktr/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkliyyleok2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.social/post/3mkiztytip22yGrief is a process that takes time and helps us mend after a loss. Grief is universal, yet everyone’s grief experience is unique.27 Apr 2026 21:39 +0000at://did:plc:tjhvwkuqqsofmdtrjvkvrktr/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkiztytip22yhttps://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.social/post/3mkbh7sskw22eThe mourner tells you what they feel and think. You do not teach. You listen, you bear witness, and you read them. You reassure because you understand the nature of grief.24 Apr 2026 21:17 +0000at://did:plc:tjhvwkuqqsofmdtrjvkvrktr/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkbh7sskw22ehttps://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.social/post/3mk6w65u3z22xContrary to popular belief, children are not resilient, a word that simply means they can return to their original state. They do not “bounce back” from abuse.23 Apr 2026 21:07 +0000at://did:plc:tjhvwkuqqsofmdtrjvkvrktr/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk6w65u3z22xhttps://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.social/post/3mk6he7nyd22hChildhood abuse results in a life lived in reaction to, in protection against, or in defiance of a horror you would like to forget. The fact that you are a survivor is worthy of commendation. You have done what seemed impossible. You have survived what seemed unbearable.23 Apr 2026 16:42 +0000at://did:plc:tjhvwkuqqsofmdtrjvkvrktr/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk6he7nyd22hhttps://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.social/post/3mk4fqsfacc2zResponding to systemic abuse begins with facing the truth. Jesus lived as part of a dominated group of people under a pervasive system of government. All the religious systems were corrupt. They dehumanized people, isolated & excluded people, & crushed people with heavy burdens.22 Apr 2026 21:08 +0000at://did:plc:tjhvwkuqqsofmdtrjvkvrktr/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk4fqsfacc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.social/post/3mjzv43n42s25Trauma always includes loss. The victim’s sense of self is altered, as is their way of functioning in this world. Trauma can dismantle faith and hope, and it turns what we thought was true upside down and backwards. Grieving their losses is grueling work.21 Apr 2026 21:04 +0000at://did:plc:tjhvwkuqqsofmdtrjvkvrktr/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjzv43n42s25https://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.social/post/3mjxfuggnak2gSpeaking truth is often considered a threat to the church. A mind-boggling reaction when God makes it very clear that the true church is to bring light *into* darkness. That means seeing what things really look like and calling them by their right name.20 Apr 2026 21:26 +0000at://did:plc:tjhvwkuqqsofmdtrjvkvrktr/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjxfuggnak2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.social/post/3mjncg3rndc2vIt misrepresents God when we tell victims of atrocious, life-changing abuse to simply forgive and forget. Forgiveness of any wrong, let alone a life-shattering one, is never a “just do it” task.16 Apr 2026 20:58 +0000at://did:plc:tjhvwkuqqsofmdtrjvkvrktr/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjncg3rndc2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.social/post/3mjksep5wq22xIt is absolutely crucial that the church not be silent and that the church be a place of refuge for hope and healing for those who have suffered from abuse. Anything less is a failure to demonstrate God’s character in this world.15 Apr 2026 21:06 +0000at://did:plc:tjhvwkuqqsofmdtrjvkvrktr/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjksep5wq22xhttps://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.social/post/3mjibnwj5wk22We often assume that if sufferers are bringing God’s glory into their suffering, they will not scream or bleed but sit quietly, hands folded, and smile peacefully. Glory is never found in such pretense. Our glorious Lord screamed and bled.14 Apr 2026 21:01 +0000at://did:plc:tjhvwkuqqsofmdtrjvkvrktr/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjibnwj5wk22https://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.social/post/3mhxy3htiik2yWe have often blamed those who suffer for their trauma; we have failed to recognize that systems can be corrupt and power abused and that, like our Lord, many people in this world suffer from totally undeserved injustice and trauma.26 Mar 2026 16:02 +0000at://did:plc:tjhvwkuqqsofmdtrjvkvrktr/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhxy3htiik2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.social/post/3mhvhsnrwzs2qThe profession of shepherd of the people of God has no value, and in fact, is harmful if the church leaders do not reflect in character and actions, the likeness of Jesus.25 Mar 2026 16:05 +0000at://did:plc:tjhvwkuqqsofmdtrjvkvrktr/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhvhsnrwzs2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.social/post/3mhsxb3jl3s2nGod forbid when it is the Church that causes one to cry out with David, “I have no refuge; no one cares for my life.” Psalm 142:424 Mar 2026 16:04 +0000at://did:plc:tjhvwkuqqsofmdtrjvkvrktr/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhsxb3jl3s2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.social/post/3mhkyhpdmoc2zWe fail to love both victim and perpetrator when we think repentance involves only an apology, which then serves as a ticket back to wherever the perpetrator wants to go.21 Mar 2026 12:04 +0000at://did:plc:tjhvwkuqqsofmdtrjvkvrktr/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhkyhpdmoc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.social/post/3mhii4fqbfc2dTo see abuse as simply a wrong action that needs to be stopped is to minimize and externalize what is a cancer of the soul and does great damage to the abused. ALL abuse is sinful spillage from the heart of the abuser and exposure of the cancer deep within.20 Mar 2026 12:06 +0000at://did:plc:tjhvwkuqqsofmdtrjvkvrktr/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhii4fqbfc2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/dianelangberg.bsky.social/post/3mhgeyzfh4k25Myth: The presence of good deeds, kind words, and a good reputation means a person could not possibly be an abuser. Truth: An abuser often cultivates such things for the sole purpose of deception.19 Mar 2026 16:05 +0000at://did:plc:tjhvwkuqqsofmdtrjvkvrktr/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhgeyzfh4k25