God Doesn't Expect You to Put Up With Abuse

Summary

Podcast Summary: “God Doesn't Expect You to Put Up With Abuse”

Podcast Information:

• Title: Dr. Laura Call of the Day
• Host/Author: Dr. Laura Schlessinger & SiriusXM
• Episode: God Doesn't Expect You to Put Up With Abuse
• Release Date: July 27, 2025

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Introduction

In the episode titled “God Doesn't Expect You to Put Up With Abuse,” Dr. Laura Schlessinger addresses a heart-wrenching caller, Hannah, who seeks guidance after leaving her abusive husband. The conversation delves into the complexities of abusive relationships, personal beliefs, and the intersection of faith and self-preservation.

Hannah’s Dilemma

Caller Introduction ([00:29] - [00:45]): Hannah reaches out to Dr. Laura after departing from her husband due to years of mental and occasional physical abuse. She is currently in the midst of divorce proceedings but finds herself grappling with doubts.

Key Concern ([00:45] - [01:18]): Hannah reveals that her hesitation stems from her biblical beliefs. “[...] biblically, and that's important to me, I'm not supposed to leave” ([01:10]).

Dr. Laura’s Guidance

Challenging Biblical Interpretation ([01:18] - [02:38]): Dr. Laura probes Hannah’s understanding of her faith, questioning whether her belief system truly condemns leaving an abusive partner. She emphasizes the importance of personal safety over misconstrued religious doctrines. “[...] no woman should be tolerating this, I would say thank God you got that in your head” ([02:17]).

Addressing Manipulative Behaviors ([05:15] - [05:49]): Hannah introduces a distressing scenario where her husband threatens self-harm if she leaves. Dr. Laura confronts the gravity of such manipulative tactics, stating, “Then I don't want you to watch him. And if he blows his brains out, I'm not going to be distressed” ([05:29]). She condemns the cruelty of expecting victims to endure under such threats.

Practical Advice and Safety ([05:49] - [06:25]): Dr. Laura urges Hannah to prioritize her and her child’s safety. She advises, “I'd like you to take your child. Call the operator. Ask to be connected to the closest battered women's shelter” ([05:47]). Emphasizing the importance of following through, she states, “Your child doesn't need a dead mother” ([06:25].

Empowerment and Support ([06:30] - [07:13]): Concluding the conversation, Dr. Laura commends Hannah's courage and reinforces the necessity of taking decisive action to protect herself and her child. “Bless you for having the courage” ([06:10]).

Notable Quotes

• Hannah on Faith and Doubt:

  • “No, I'm having doubts because biblically, and that's important to me, I'm not supposed to leave.” ([01:10])

• Dr. Laura on Misinterpreted Beliefs:

  • “Do you actually believe that God would be pissed off at you if you left a man who was violent and destructive and dangerous?” ([01:32])

• Addressing Manipulative Threats:

  • “Then I don't want you to watch him. And if he blows his brains out, I'm not going to be distressed.” ([05:29])

• Encouraging Action for Safety:

  • “You need to get away from him and be safe.” ([05:49])
  • “Your child doesn't need a dead mother.” ([06:25])

Conclusion

In this poignant episode, Dr. Laura Schlessinger provides unwavering support to Hannah, challenging her to reassess rigid interpretations of her faith in the face of abuse. She emphasizes the paramount importance of personal safety and the well-being of her child, offering practical steps to escape a harmful environment. Dr. Laura’s compassionate yet firm guidance underscores the message that no one should tolerate abuse, and that self-preservation and protection of loved ones take precedence over misconstrued religious obligations.

For listeners facing similar struggles, this episode serves as a powerful reminder that seeking help and prioritizing safety is both justified and necessary.

Transcript

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[Dr. Laura Schlesinger]

To my Call of the Day podcast. You can hear my live radio program Monday through Friday from 2 to 5pm Eastern Time on Sirius XM Triumph 111. Hannah, welcome to the program.

[Hannah]

Hi. Thank you for having me.

[Dr. Laura Schlesinger]

You're welcome, Hannah. How can I help?

[Hannah]

I just left my husband after years of mental and some physical abuse, and I have started the divorce process, but I'm having doubts. He says he'll change.

[Dr. Laura Schlesinger]

You're having doubts because you think a woman should stay in a marriage where there's growing physical and emotional and psychological abuse. You've changed your mind on that?

[Hannah]

No, I'm having doubts because biblically, and that's important to me, I'm not supposed to leave.

[Dr. Laura Schlesinger]

I'm sorry. You're not supposed to leave Biblically?

[Hannah]

Yes.

[Dr. Laura Schlesinger]

I'm sorry. Let me calm myself down. Therefore, you're telling me you believe in God.

[Hannah]

Yes.

[Dr. Laura Schlesinger]

Do you actually believe that God would be pissed off at you if you left a man who was violent and destructive and dangerous? Do you believe in a God who would be pissed at you for doing that? For protecting yourself against violence, humiliation and the rest of that? I'm not asking you about your particular church because churches can come up with whole things like poison Kool Aid. So a particular church having a particular rule doesn't impress me. I want to know if your belief in God covers that. He would be mad that you won't tolerate that.

[Hannah]

No, I don't.

[Dr. Laura Schlesinger]

Okay. Well, then let's work with that for a moment because that's important. I don't care if some clergy person is telling you that their rendition of the Bible is that you should stay and be abused, because that's anti woman and that's insane and that's cruel and it's stupid. Okay.

[Hannah]

Okay.

[Dr. Laura Schlesinger]

And it usually has nothing to do with leaving. It has to do with divorcing.

[Hannah]

Yes.

[Dr. Laura Schlesinger]

So that's even a separate issue. And for you to realize that no woman should be tolerating this, I would say thank God you got that in your head.

[Hannah]

Okay.

[Dr. Laura Schlesinger]

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[Hannah]

Do you think a man, his wife and child would sit on his wife and put a gun to his own head and say, talk to me or watch me blow my brains out?

[Dr. Laura Schlesinger]

Then I don't want you to watch him. And if he blows his brains out, I'm not going to be distressed. That's a very sick psycho man. You married. You must be very young to have made a choice that bad. How old are you?

[Hannah]

I am.

[Dr. Laura Schlesinger]

How old are you?

[Hannah]

I'm 24.

[Dr. Laura Schlesinger]

I'd like you to take your child. Call the operator. Ask to be connected to the closest battered women's shelter. They will protect you. You need to get away from him and be safe. You need to get away from where he can find you, okay? Because he might just shoot you and.

[Hannah]

The baby right.

[Dr. Laura Schlesinger]

And call it a day. So bless you for having the courage. Now follow through. Your child doesn't need a dead mother.

[Hannah]

Okay. Thank you.

[Dr. Laura Schlesinger]

You're very welcome. I appreciate that you called battered women shelter. Frankly, if he blows his own brains out, I don't care. I really don't care. That protects everybody else. I consider that a benevolent act on his part. I'm Dr. Laura Schlesinger. My number, 1-800-375-2872. You're just a click away. Some terrific deals being offered by companies that get the Dr. Laura stamp of approval. Visit drlaura.com Click on sponsors to take advantage of the special Discounts available to Dr. Laura listeners like you.

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[Dr. Laura Schlesinger]

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