I have recently been involved in leading a study of the life of King David. The series title was "Removing the IF from Life: Defeating the Giants That Challenge Our Faith." As we examined 1 and 2 Samuel, we discovered many things about his faith and ours. And we uncovered many kinds of giants that try to threaten our faith.
For example - The Abusers!
When was the last time that someone talked about you behind your back?
When was the last time you were mocked, insulted, humiliated, or the target of malicious gossip?
As Lynell LaMountain said in an article in the book God Encounters, "The world is filled with abusers - people who abuse you emotionally, mentally and spiritually. You have at least four options in dealing with them:

• Stick your head in the sand and not deal with them.
• Allow yourself to continue being abused by them.
• Wallow in despair, self-pity, sadness or addiction.
• Find refuge in GOD from these spiritual molesters.

King David chose number four. Read Psalm 69, where David talks about the garbage he was taking from people. David found refuge in GOD during his time of emotional and spiritual oppression. And he asked GOD to do some surprising things:

• Save him.
• Rescue him from the molesters.
• Judge his oppressors accordingly.
• Blot out their names from the book of life (wow!).
• And protect him during his time of pain and distress.

During his time of personal persecution by the godless people, when his vision was blurred with tears and his throat ached with sorrow, David found peace, deliverance and divine vindication. He never stopped worshipping GOD (Psalm 69:30).
GOD has adopted you into His family. Whatever people do to you, they are doing to Him. You need to know this, believe this and understand this.
You are not a door mat. You are not a punching bag. God's plan is not for you to stand there and be miserable about yourself, so that others can feel good about themselves.
But here is a key question: How do you fight back?
David says you fight back through worship and personal devotion to GOD.
What is worship? It is submission to GOD's sovereign will (Examine Romans 12:1-2). We worship our GOD who fights our battles with us and for us.
GOD is our Bodyguard. He is our Shield. He is our Iron Curtain of protection. He absorbs every hurtful word, every painful punch, and every deadly agenda.
No one can hurt you spiritually, intellectually or emotionally unless you allow them to do so.

Encounter The Word
Read Romans 12 and give special attention to Romans 12:1-2.
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers (and sisters), in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will."

Some Encounter Questions

• Where in your life have you encountered the abusive treatment of others? What has been your typical reaction to those circumstances?
• What discussions have you had with GOD about this treatment? How have your conversations with GOD been similar or different from Psalm 69?
• How do you offer yourself as a "living sacrifice" to GOD and yet not allow yourself to be a doormat?