I’m not advocating hating or hurting those who hurt you. Christ called upon us to love and pray for our enemies. However, loving your enemies does not mean allowing someone to hurt you repeatedly without consequence. Following through on consequences is a form of love. Yes, try to make the relationship work. Yes, ask the Lord what He would have you do. But no, don’t guilt yourself or anybody else into living with abuse and call it kindness and mercy. Protecting yourself and those you are supposed to protect is often the more difficult and more merciful choice.