Guest: Michele Jones, Christian Counselor and Survivor
Today on Silently Bleeding: Hope for the Pastor’s Wife, we welcome Michele Jones. She will share her journey. It is a story of endurance and abuse. Ultimately, it is a story of hope.
Michele was married for 27 years before leaving an abusive relationship. Married young, she soon faced emotional and physical abuse, including rage, manipulation, and controlling behaviors. She likens her experience to the “frog in lukewarm water” analogy. Abuse often escalates gradually. This escalation leaves one unsure of how to respond. It becomes difficult to recognize the harm until it has deeply affected the soul.
She explained the subtle forms of abuse that often go unnoticed: emotional manipulation, threats, aggression, and gaslighting. Even those outside the home—including church members, see a completely different, “charming” persona. Michelle also emphasized that abuse is not always physical. The mental and emotional scars can be equally damaging. Sometimes, they can be more damaging.
When asked about her courage to finally leave, Michele said it came when her children were directly threatened. She recounted the moment of realization: the abuse was no longer something she could endure silently. A friend’s prompt question—“Are you okay?”—served as a lifeline, showing her that God was already orchestrating a path toward safety and healing.
Michele also shared the challenges of marital counseling when abuse exists. Abusers can manipulate counselors, making it seem as though the victim is the problem. She stressed that before counseling can be effective, abuse must be acknowledged and addressed.
Michele’s advice to women in similar situations is clear: speak up and find someone you can trust. Abuse thrives in silence, and healing begins with being heard, validated, and supported. She encourages pastors’ wives to reach out and not feel shame. They should trust that God sees their pain and desires to help them.
A Word of Hope:
Even in brokenness, God can use your voice to help others. Michele’s story reminds us that while God calls us to be patient and forgiving, He also honors self-preservation. God values the protection of loved ones. Breaking the silence is not a betrayal of faith—it is obedience to the life and safety God desires for us.
If you are struggling, you are not alone. God sees you, and there is hope and help available. Reach out, speak up, and allow God to guide your next steps.
Would you like to hear Michele’s inspiring story and the hope she shares? Click here to watch the interview.
Silently Bleeding 