What should I do if an adult is hurting me?
Here's the answer:
If an adult is hurting you, tell another trusted adult (like a parent, teacher, or pastor) as soon as possible.
Sometimes adults hurt children. This is not only wrong in God's eyes (a sin), it is also wrong in the eyes of the law (illegal). It is important that the person who is hurting you receives the consequences he or she deserves. If you are being hurt by an adult, no matter who that adult is, you should tell another adult in your life right away, someone you can trust to help you. Maybe this will be your mom or dad, or your teacher. Maybe you can tell a pastor at your church. You did not do anything to deserve being hurt, and you do not need to be embarrassed about it. Pray and ask God to give you courage to tell, and ask God for help. He loves you and it breaks His heart to see you being hurt because of the sinful actions of this person in your life.
Maybe you aren't the one being hurt; maybe one of your friends has told you that an adult is hurting them. The same rules apply; a trusted adult needs to be told. Maybe you can offer to go with your friend to tell someone so they won't feel alone. But what if they don't want to tell? The right thing for you to do is tell a trusted adult anyway. It's never okay to keep a secret like that for a friend. By telling, you could save them from being hurt even worse, and that's a loving thing for a friend to do.
Bible Truth
"[God] has not forgotten the one who is hurting. He has not turned away from his suffering. He has not turned his face away from him. He has listened to his cry for help" (Psalm 22:24).
"The LORD is a place of safety for those who have been treated badly. He keeps them safe in times of trouble" (Psalm 9:9).
