There are a lot of hurting people all around us.

We may have no clue that a friend or neighbor is living in a kind of prison they can’t escape.

There are people out there who control the lives of other people.

The ones being controlled may not know how to get out of a relationship that is sucking the life out of them.

This is a form of abuse.

It’s mental and emotional abuse but also physical even if there are no bruises to show for it.

Physical health will suffer from the stress and anxiety of being in an abusive relationship.

This is not limited to a bad marriage relationship.

Boyfriends can control girlfriends or vice versa.

The strong can control the weak.

The young can control the old.

A boss can control an employee.

The one doing the controlling has 2 weapons: fear and intimidation.

The one being controlled is often afraid to stand up against the one mistreating them.

As bad as things may be, they are afraid that things will be far worse if they do not comply.

Perhaps you have heard of “Stockholm syndrome.”

By definition, it is a condition in which hostages develop a psychological bond with their captors during captivity.

Sometimes there can be a kind of bond that enslaves victims who are being controlled.

Ironically, the one being controlled is made to feel like they are partly to blame and getting what they deserve.

So the victim ends up on a merry-go-round they cannot get off.

1. They can’t say no to the controller who takes advantage of them and uses them.

2. They have regret and anger for allowing the person to control them.

3. If they express their feelings to the controller, they are made to feel guilty.

4. They go back to #1 and repeat.

If this article describes you or someone you know, there is counseling help available.

But the answer begins with self-respect.

No one has the right to own another person.

Next: In-person visitation is back.

Dan Williams is the senior adult pastor at Lexington Baptist Church.