The Emotionally Abusive Husband: Its Effects and How to Overcome Them in Christ

In this her second book in the Overcoming Emotional Abuse series, Dr. Anne Dryburgh provides a practical and thoroughly biblical resource to use when counseling Christian women who are being treated in an emotionally abusive manner by their husbands. Questions have been added at the end of the first three chapters and are designed for the emotionally abused woman as she seeks to know the Lord and apply the principles suggested in the book. Those counselling such women will also find the questions helpful.

From the Foreword

'The Emotionally Abusive Husband' is a tremendous, short book that reveals the depravity of man in a marriage relationship that has gone bad, but gives the hope of the Gospel that Christ can save us from our sins and transform our lives! Recently, this book had been used mightily in my family's lives. Thank you, Dr Dryburgh, for another compelling work! - Johnny Touchet, pastor and missionary, and founder of Partner 10:15 ministries

How this book can help you

The purpose of this book is to provide a resource to use when counseling Christian women who are being treated in an emotionally abusive manner by their husbands. It does not cover physical or sexual abuse in marriage and it assumes that the position of headship is one of authority. I take the view that in practice headship refers to a husband laying down his life for his wife, not laying down the law. As a result, like the response of the Church to Christ's sacrifice, a wife is more likely to respond to a husband's lead when she sees his love and sacrifice for her. Questions have also been added at the end of the first three chapters; these are designed for the emotionally abused woman as she seeks to know the Lord and apply the principles suggested in the book. Those counselling such women will also find the questions helpful.

What this book is not

A word of caution is necessary. Abusive situations are gravely serious. While insights have been suggested in this book, it is not the definitive answer about how to help abused women. It touches on subjects that are tremendously complicated and where time is needed to address these areas in an in-depth manner to be able to effectively help people. Well-intentioned but unwise advice can cause suffering and damage lives. Wisdom and insight are required on a case-by-case basis. There are no standard cut-and-dried answers, as someone said, 'one size does not fit all.'