---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've been so mistreated by male authority…"
description: "\"I've been so mistreated by male authority in my life that I had a terrible time in my marriage trying to be a submissive wife. I wanted to rule the roo..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/789/joyce-meyer-123_afraid-of-being-hurt_i-ve-been-so-mistreated-by-male-authorit_770695.jpg"
---

#  I've been so mistreated by male authority in my life that…

![“I've been so mistreated by male authority in my life that I had a terrible time in my marriage trying to be a submissive wife. I wanted to rule the roost in everything. And it wasn't even really that I was rebellious; I was afraid of being hurt. And I think that a lot of people that choose these…” quote by Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/789/joyce-meyer-123_afraid-of-being-hurt_i-ve-been-so-mistreated-by-male-authorit_770695.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/789/joyce-meyer-123_afraid-of-being-hurt_i-ve-been-so-mistreated-by-male-authorit_770695.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/789/joyce-meyer-123_afraid-of-being-hurt_i-ve-been-so-mistreated-by-male-authorit_770695.jpg)

> “I've been so mistreated by male authority in my life that I had a terrible time in my marriage trying to be a submissive wife. I wanted to rule the roost in everything. And it wasn't even really that I was rebellious; I was afraid of being hurt. And I think that a lot of people that choose these alternative lifestyles, I think it's because they've been hurt somewhere along the line very badly.”

[Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker describes how past mistreatment by male authority led to fear‑driven control issues in marriage, suggesting trauma can shape relational patterns.

**In simple terms:** Past abuse can cause control‑seeking behavior in relationships.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and heal trauma to foster healthier dynamics.

Themes

trauma control relationships gender dynamics

Mood

reflective hopeful

Type

personal psychological

When to use this quote

- marriage counseling
- personal therapy
- support groups
- self‑reflection
- healthy communication

Key Concepts

psychology attachment power dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

- How does past hurt influence current relationship choices?
- What steps can break cycles of control?

A Different Perspective

Healing requires confronting deep wounds, not just changing behavior.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Afraid of being hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid-of-being-hurt/) [Authority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authority/) [Been hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/been-hurt/) [Being hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-hurt/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Lifestyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lifestyle/) [Males](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/males/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Terrible times](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrible-times/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Wife](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wife/)

## Related quotes

> [I played the submissive wife in 'Shakti' because I needed the money. But I'm glad I did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepti-naval/i-played-the-submissive-wife-in-shakti-because-i-needed-the-money-but/)

[Deepti Naval](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepti-naval/)

> [But I've never been really rebellious. I've got a lot of support and I'm not pushed so hard that I feel like I'm going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-page/but-i-ve-never-been-really-rebellious-i-ve-got-a-lot-of-support-and-i/)

[Ellen Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-page/)

> [I've never really been a rebellious teen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-newton/i-ve-never-really-been-a-rebellious-teen/)

[Kathryn Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-newton/)

> [I'm not really rebellious. People think I am, but I'm not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-sizemore/i-m-not-really-rebellious-people-think-i-am-but-i-m-not/)

[Tom Sizemore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-sizemore/)

> [I genuinely haven't really had a rebellious phase. I think it's just because of the way I was brought up. I think it's because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-watson/i-genuinely-haven-t-really-had-a-rebellious-phase-i-think-it-s-just/)

[Emma Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-watson/)

> [Take responsibility and make a relationship the best it can be. We're all afraid of being hurt. Get rid of that fear. Be in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moran-atias/take-responsibility-and-make-a-relationship-the-best-it-can-be-we-re/)

[Moran Atias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moran-atias/)

> [I want to know the truth, but I'm afraid of being hurt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-want-to-know-the-truth-but-i-m-afraid-of-being-hurt/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [As you identify less and less with the “me”, you will be more at ease with everybody and with everything. Do you know why?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/as-you-identify-less-and-less-with-the-me-you-will-be-more-at-ease/)

[Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/)

> [I've been trying not to love you, I've been putting up a fight. I've been barely holding on, and letting go with all my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernajoy-vaal/i-ve-been-trying-not-to-love-you-i-ve-been-putting-up-a-fight-i-ve/)

[Bernajoy Vaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernajoy-vaal/)

> [Don't be afraid of being hurt or judged by anyone, take a risk and be honest about who you really are. Be honest to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kemmy-nola/don-t-be-afraid-of-being-hurt-or-judged-by-anyone-take-a-risk-and-be/)

[Kemmy Nola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kemmy-nola/)

> [Should I tell him I'm not afraid of being hurt? I'm afraid of not being in control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-elkeles/should-i-tell-him-i-m-not-afraid-of-being-hurt-i-m-afraid-of-not/)

[Simone Elkeles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-elkeles/)

> [You're so afraid of being hurt that you attack first. Only those who really care about you will weather the assault of your verbal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/you-re-so-afraid-of-being-hurt-that-you-attack-first-only-those-who/)

[Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/)

> [I DARE you to be honest when someone asks you how you feel about them. I DOUBLE DOG DARE you to NOT hide your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-dare-you-to-be-honest-when-someone-asks-you-how-you-feel-about-them/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“We're so afraid of being hurt that we become the abuser first.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alaric-hutchinson/we-re-so-afraid-of-being-hurt-that-we-become-the-abuser-first/)

[Alaric Hutchinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alaric-hutchinson/)

> [If you are so afraid of being hurt in love, you will forever be lonely. For how will u give love if you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonam-arora-luthra/if-you-are-so-afraid-of-being-hurt-in-love-you-will-forever-be-lonely/)

[Sonam Arora Luthra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonam-arora-luthra/)

## More by Joyce Meyer

> [Grace is the power of the Holy Spirit coming to us free of charge to enable you to do with ease what you could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/grace-is-the-power-of-the-holy-spirit-coming-to-us-free-of-charge-to/)

[Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/)

> [God doesn't love me any more or less because I had some work done on my face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/god-doesn-t-love-me-any-more-or-less-because-i-had-some-work-done-on/)

[Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/)

> [I encourage you to be a person who is not afraid of responsibility. In meeting resistance you will build your strength. If you only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/i-encourage-you-to-be-a-person-who-is-not-afraid-of-responsibility-in/)

[Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/)

> [Have God make a message out of your mess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/have-god-make-a-message-out-of-your-mess/)

[Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/)

> [Forgiveness is not a feeling - it's a decision we make because we want to do what's right before God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/forgiveness-is-not-a-feeling-it-s-a-decision-we-make-because-we-want/)

[Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/)

> [The Bible says that Christians are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. On the job, in the grocery store,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/the-bible-says-that-christians-are-the-salt-of-the-earth-and-the/)

[Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/)

> [Addictions - Run to Jesus instead of running to your addiction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/addictions-run-to-jesus-instead-of-running-to-your-addiction/)

[Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/)

> [Don't miss out on today by living in yesterday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/don-t-miss-out-on-today-by-living-in-yesterday/)

[Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/)

> [I never get tired of hearing the great testimonies of people whom God has touched. I pray that the changes God has done in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/i-never-get-tired-of-hearing-the-great-testimonies-of-people-whom-god/)

[Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/)

> [Early on in my life, I had a broken soul. I was abused by my father, abandoned by my mother and ended up in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/early-on-in-my-life-i-had-a-broken-soul-i-was-abused-by-my-father/)

[Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/)

> [frustration, complication and misery are available in abundance, but so is God's grace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/frustration-complication-and-misery-are-available-in-abundance-but-so/)

[Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/)

> [There is no power shortage in heaven, and God is never in a recession. But His grace is sufficient to meet every need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/there-is-no-power-shortage-in-heaven-and-god-is-never-in-a-recession/)

[Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/)

> [Stop being tomented by everyone else's reaction to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/stop-being-tomented-by-everyone-else-s-reaction-to-you/)

[Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/)

> [“… about midnight, as Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God…. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/about-midnight-as-paul-and-silas-were-praying-and-singing-hymns-of/)

[Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/)

> [“As a Spirit-filled believer, you need to take the initiative to treat people the way you want to be treated, not the way they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/as-a-spirit-filled-believer-you-need-to-take-the-initiative-to-treat/)

[Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/)

[Explore all 1,221 Joyce Meyer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/)

## More Afraid of being hurt quotes

> [You're so afraid of being hurt that you attack first. Only those who really care about you will weather the assault of your verbal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/you-re-so-afraid-of-being-hurt-that-you-attack-first-only-those-who/)

[Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/)

> [Don't be afraid of being hurt or judged by anyone, take a risk and be honest about who you really are. Be honest to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kemmy-nola/don-t-be-afraid-of-being-hurt-or-judged-by-anyone-take-a-risk-and-be/)

[Kemmy Nola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kemmy-nola/)

> [“We're so afraid of being hurt that we become the abuser first.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alaric-hutchinson/we-re-so-afraid-of-being-hurt-that-we-become-the-abuser-first/)

[Alaric Hutchinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alaric-hutchinson/)

> [I DARE you to be honest when someone asks you how you feel about them. I DOUBLE DOG DARE you to NOT hide your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-dare-you-to-be-honest-when-someone-asks-you-how-you-feel-about-them/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [If you are so afraid of being hurt in love, you will forever be lonely. For how will u give love if you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonam-arora-luthra/if-you-are-so-afraid-of-being-hurt-in-love-you-will-forever-be-lonely/)

[Sonam Arora Luthra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonam-arora-luthra/)

> [Should I tell him I'm not afraid of being hurt? I'm afraid of not being in control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-elkeles/should-i-tell-him-i-m-not-afraid-of-being-hurt-i-m-afraid-of-not/)

[Simone Elkeles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-elkeles/)

> [I've been trying not to love you, I've been putting up a fight. I've been barely holding on, and letting go with all my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernajoy-vaal/i-ve-been-trying-not-to-love-you-i-ve-been-putting-up-a-fight-i-ve/)

[Bernajoy Vaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernajoy-vaal/)

> [As you identify less and less with the “me”, you will be more at ease with everybody and with everything. Do you know why?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/as-you-identify-less-and-less-with-the-me-you-will-be-more-at-ease/)

[Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/)

> [I want to know the truth, but I'm afraid of being hurt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-want-to-know-the-truth-but-i-m-afraid-of-being-hurt/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Take responsibility and make a relationship the best it can be. We're all afraid of being hurt. Get rid of that fear. Be in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moran-atias/take-responsibility-and-make-a-relationship-the-best-it-can-be-we-re/)

[Moran Atias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moran-atias/)

> [And besides, when you love somebody, you mustn't listen to what they say. They say things to hurt you because they're afraid of being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-williams/and-besides-when-you-love-somebody-you-mustn-t-listen-to-what-they/)

[Tennessee Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-williams/)

> [“I have to let go” really means “I am really afraid of being hurt again”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijayraj-kamat/i-have-to-let-go-really-means-i-am-really-afraid-of-being-hurt-again/)

Vijayraj Kamat

> [“How funny we are, I thought, the way we dance about each other, each afraid of being hurt by the other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-merkle-riley/how-funny-we-are-i-thought-the-way-we-dance-about-each-other-each/)

[Judith Merkle Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-merkle-riley/)

> [He was very afraid of being hurt. He was afraid of opening up in case it was turned around and used against him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-taylor/he-was-very-afraid-of-being-hurt-he-was-afraid-of-opening-up-in-case/)

[Elizabeth Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-taylor/)

> [“Time does not heal all wounds. If it did, there would be no unresolved grief and no hurt from long ago that still upsets…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-j-elliott/time-does-not-heal-all-wounds-if-it-did-there-would-be-no-unresolved/)

[Susan J. Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-j-elliott/)

[Browse all 21 Afraid of being hurt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid-of-being-hurt/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I've been so mistreated by male authority in my life that I had a terrible time in my marriage trying to be a submissive wife. I wanted to rule the roost in everything. And it wasn't even really that I was rebellious; I was afraid of being hurt. And I think that a lot of people that choose these alternative lifestyles, I think it's because they've been hurt somewhere along the line very badly.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Joyce Meyer"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/i-ve-been-so-mistreated-by-male-authority-in-my-life-that-i-had-a/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Afraid of being hurt"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/i-ve-been-so-mistreated-by-male-authority-in-my-life-that-i-had-a/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/789/joyce-meyer-123_afraid-of-being-hurt_i-ve-been-so-mistreated-by-male-authorit_770695.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/789/joyce-meyer-123_afraid-of-being-hurt_i-ve-been-so-mistreated-by-male-authorit_770695.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/789/joyce-meyer-123_afraid-of-being-hurt_i-ve-been-so-mistreated-by-male-authorit_770695.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I've been so mistreated by male authority in my life that I had a terrible time in my marriage trying to be…” — Joyce Meyer",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Joyce Meyer",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I've been so mistreated by male...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/i-ve-been-so-mistreated-by-male-authority-in-my-life-that-i-had-a/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/i-ve-been-so-mistreated-by-male-authority-in-my-life-that-i-had-a/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
