Diane Langberg, PhD
@dianelangberg.bsky.social
Psychologist.Trauma Expert. International Speaker. Consultant. Author. https://linktr.ee/dianelangberg?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=6b3b4f52-72f4-4cb4-9419-f034fba65a75
When a body is so broken that it is entirely dependent on the care of others or a mind is basically gone, we are called to give dignity to what remains, for it still houses one created in the image of God.
November 7, 2025 at 12:59 PM
When a body is so broken that it is entirely dependent on the care of others or a mind is basically gone, we are called to give dignity to what remains, for it still houses one created in the image of God.
Self-deception works in concert with temptation so we can convince ourselves of the rightness of actions that are, in fact, wrong. We use deception to say that external circumstances justify reactions. Truth and lies become confused or even reversed.
November 6, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Self-deception works in concert with temptation so we can convince ourselves of the rightness of actions that are, in fact, wrong. We use deception to say that external circumstances justify reactions. Truth and lies become confused or even reversed.
Deception becomes systemic when we use our collective power to protect what we desire to be true rather than face the destruction and the pain that accompanies the actual truth. Deception functions as a narcotic in protecting us from seeing or feeling that which is painful to us.
November 6, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Deception becomes systemic when we use our collective power to protect what we desire to be true rather than face the destruction and the pain that accompanies the actual truth. Deception functions as a narcotic in protecting us from seeing or feeling that which is painful to us.
We are complicit with ungodliness when we turn a blind eye, support, and protect existing perversions in the name of success or anything else. Examine the longings of the systems you belong to because they make you vulnerable to fulfillment in once unthinkable places.
November 5, 2025 at 10:00 PM
We are complicit with ungodliness when we turn a blind eye, support, and protect existing perversions in the name of success or anything else. Examine the longings of the systems you belong to because they make you vulnerable to fulfillment in once unthinkable places.
Faith in God is a struggle in ordinary life. Faith in God when we have seen tragedy and trauma is a massive struggle. But it is a good fight because it is a fight against those things that tried to destroy us and make us like themselves.
November 5, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Faith in God is a struggle in ordinary life. Faith in God when we have seen tragedy and trauma is a massive struggle. But it is a good fight because it is a fight against those things that tried to destroy us and make us like themselves.
Systemic abuse occurs when a system, such as a family, a government entity, a school, a church, a religious organization, or a political group, enables the abuse of the people it purports to protect.
November 4, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Systemic abuse occurs when a system, such as a family, a government entity, a school, a church, a religious organization, or a political group, enables the abuse of the people it purports to protect.
A toxic leader demands you “reflect back to me the image of myself as being all that I say I am and want to be. And God help you if you fail.” What a burdensome and perilous charade.
November 4, 2025 at 4:59 PM
A toxic leader demands you “reflect back to me the image of myself as being all that I say I am and want to be. And God help you if you fail.” What a burdensome and perilous charade.
The same gifts and abilities that can make a man or woman an effective and powerful leader can hide a dangerous level of self-absorption and hidden insecurities with zero regard for anyone but themselves.
November 3, 2025 at 5:00 PM
The same gifts and abilities that can make a man or woman an effective and powerful leader can hide a dangerous level of self-absorption and hidden insecurities with zero regard for anyone but themselves.
We often confuse the system of Christianity (Christendom) with Christ. But no so-called Christian system is truly God’s work unless it is full of truth and love.
November 1, 2025 at 11:57 AM
We often confuse the system of Christianity (Christendom) with Christ. But no so-called Christian system is truly God’s work unless it is full of truth and love.
Whenever the body of Christ, through denial or actual choice, ignores the sin of protecting evildoers in its midst, the entire body suffers terribly as a result.
October 31, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Whenever the body of Christ, through denial or actual choice, ignores the sin of protecting evildoers in its midst, the entire body suffers terribly as a result.
The more vulnerable and needy we feel, the more dangerous our use of power becomes, because we are far more likely to exploit the vulnerable to feed ourselves. Compelled by their own anxieties, fears, and weaknesses, leaders often abuse the power they have been entrusted with.
October 30, 2025 at 9:00 PM
The more vulnerable and needy we feel, the more dangerous our use of power becomes, because we are far more likely to exploit the vulnerable to feed ourselves. Compelled by their own anxieties, fears, and weaknesses, leaders often abuse the power they have been entrusted with.
When someone is vulnerable, they are more likely to be attacked or injured. Abuse occurs when power is used to inflict harm on the vulnerable or to exploit trust. Abuse occurs when a person in a position of power uses another for their own gain, discards them, or destroys them.
October 30, 2025 at 4:01 PM
When someone is vulnerable, they are more likely to be attacked or injured. Abuse occurs when power is used to inflict harm on the vulnerable or to exploit trust. Abuse occurs when a person in a position of power uses another for their own gain, discards them, or destroys them.
When someone is particularly gifted verbally and theologically, it is easy for us to assume maturity. The ability to articulate theological truths well does not necessarily mean that one is an obedient servant of God.
October 29, 2025 at 9:00 PM
When someone is particularly gifted verbally and theologically, it is easy for us to assume maturity. The ability to articulate theological truths well does not necessarily mean that one is an obedient servant of God.
We are flooded by words daily. We hear good words on social media and assume they are backed up by good character. The danger of good words without good deeds must be continually discerned.
October 29, 2025 at 4:01 PM
We are flooded by words daily. We hear good words on social media and assume they are backed up by good character. The danger of good words without good deeds must be continually discerned.
If any doubt creeps in when listening to a victim tell their story of abuse about someone you think you know to be fine, it is easy for the hearer to lean on his/her own capacity for self-deception and talk themselves out of considering the truth of what has been told.
October 28, 2025 at 9:00 PM
If any doubt creeps in when listening to a victim tell their story of abuse about someone you think you know to be fine, it is easy for the hearer to lean on his/her own capacity for self-deception and talk themselves out of considering the truth of what has been told.
Great damage occurs when others use power to silence and cover up abuses theoretically “for the sake of God’s work.” In other words, they have withheld using their power for good out of fear and self-protection.
October 28, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Great damage occurs when others use power to silence and cover up abuses theoretically “for the sake of God’s work.” In other words, they have withheld using their power for good out of fear and self-protection.
Institutions, organizations, ministries, and systems are not Jesus Christ. Nor is Christendom the same as the living body of Christ. I fear many of us have confused Christendom, or our little corner of it, with Christ. They are not, nor have they ever been, the same.
October 27, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Institutions, organizations, ministries, and systems are not Jesus Christ. Nor is Christendom the same as the living body of Christ. I fear many of us have confused Christendom, or our little corner of it, with Christ. They are not, nor have they ever been, the same.
God is not silent regarding systemic abuse. When Jesus lived amid corrupt systems, He stood against anything and everything that deformed, crushed, and destroyed humanity, including religious leaders.
October 27, 2025 at 4:00 PM
God is not silent regarding systemic abuse. When Jesus lived amid corrupt systems, He stood against anything and everything that deformed, crushed, and destroyed humanity, including religious leaders.
You can wound or kill a soul in many ways. The lack of physical scars does not mean abuse is not occurring.
October 25, 2025 at 11:57 AM
You can wound or kill a soul in many ways. The lack of physical scars does not mean abuse is not occurring.
It is sobering to remember that violence behind closed doors is a reality and, some argue, is a global epidemic. It's also not an "out there" issue on the streets, but for many, home is the most dangerous place on Earth, even within the body of Christ. #DVAM
October 24, 2025 at 12:14 PM
It is sobering to remember that violence behind closed doors is a reality and, some argue, is a global epidemic. It's also not an "out there" issue on the streets, but for many, home is the most dangerous place on Earth, even within the body of Christ. #DVAM
We are easily led by good words that touch our longings and desires and frequently make the mistake of assuming the words are true. A culture of words trusted when spoken or written but not lived out in the flesh is a dangerous place.
October 23, 2025 at 9:00 PM
We are easily led by good words that touch our longings and desires and frequently make the mistake of assuming the words are true. A culture of words trusted when spoken or written but not lived out in the flesh is a dangerous place.
Jesus’ strongest words were for those religious leaders who used the words of God to crush and destroy humanity.
October 22, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Jesus’ strongest words were for those religious leaders who used the words of God to crush and destroy humanity.
When the work of shepherding leads us to pride, judgment, superiority, or deception, we have forgotten that we are a lamb. A shepherd who is not first a lamb is a dangerous shepherd and has ceased to follow the Good Shepherd.
October 22, 2025 at 4:01 PM
When the work of shepherding leads us to pride, judgment, superiority, or deception, we have forgotten that we are a lamb. A shepherd who is not first a lamb is a dangerous shepherd and has ceased to follow the Good Shepherd.
We must always be aware that both secular and religious systems easily draw us in by the use of words and the glitter of power, calling us to serve the kingdom of man rather than the kingdom of God.
October 21, 2025 at 9:00 PM
We must always be aware that both secular and religious systems easily draw us in by the use of words and the glitter of power, calling us to serve the kingdom of man rather than the kingdom of God.
Never forget that deception and great evil can easily lie below the surface of high position, great theological knowledge, stunning verbal skills, and excellent performance.
October 21, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Never forget that deception and great evil can easily lie below the surface of high position, great theological knowledge, stunning verbal skills, and excellent performance.