I hope this post finds you doing well and enjoying this beautiful Sunday. I would like to tackle the subject of the church and how it sometimes causes us to be hurt. Please realize that this subject is very complex and I am only expressing my opinion.
For about the past six months, I have been searching for a church home. The search has been off and on and quite a tedious journey. I was raised in the church and about a year ago God worked on my heart and delivered me from being caught up in religion. Prior to my deliverance, I was just going through the motions. I went to church EVERY Sunday, sat in the third row, studied, memorized scriptures, sat still and quiet, never "caught the spirit", never asked or expressed my needs/prayers publicly,etc. This all left me feeling so trapped and unfilled.Still, I did it Sunday after Sunday, partly because it was all I knew and partly because of my "church hurt". Hurt that came from stares, looks, expectations, and so on and so forth.
We must realize that pain and hurt are inevitable, even within our churches. We do however serve a God who can redeem us from our "church hurt", one who can guide us and lead us into and era of churches that heal more and hurt less. Often times we run from the painful things in life. Think about it, you don't rush to the doctor to get a shot or get excited at the thought of losing a loved one. This is especially the case with "church hurt". I must admit that running was an original thought of mine along with questions like: "Why are God's people treating me this way?" and even "Where are you God?" Thankfully, God came to my rescue and redefined my definition of church, while reminding me that His grace is sufficient even through the pains and hurts sometimes inflicted at church. Here are a few things to consider about "church hurt":
1. The church is a hospital (sick room) full of imperfect people who serve a perfect God. Sometimes our own sickness(sinfulness) causes us to inflict pain on our brothers and sisters in Christ. We have all sinned and fallen short of His glory(Romans 3:23).
2. We cannot allow our pain to drive us away from the church. We are called to live in community with other believers. It is unhealthy for us not to be in communion with like-minded people striving to serve our God(Acts 2:42). How will we ever receive care if we never go to the hospital?
3. No church is perfect AND it is unhealthy for us to be apart of churches that are not constantly striving to improve in every aspect. In other words, find a church that fits you, where you can grow, and that works through hurts as a community.
4. Our "church hurt" does not reflect how God feels about us as His children! That being said, we cannot let the imperfection of man and our churches drive us away from our God.
5. We cannot chose who and what to forgive. Forgiveness is definitely a "Just Do It" type of thing. Why? Because we are called to forgive as we have been forgiven(Matthew 6:14). Believe it or not this applies to our "church hurt" as well. We forgive because we love The Lord and trust His commandments, not out of weakness or anything of that matter.
6. Our "church hurt" is not going away, but there is hope! Problems and hurt have been around since the early churches(see 1 Corinthians) and they will be around until the end of time. Hope is found in our Lord who has given us the power to overcome through Him(John 16:33).
7.God uses our "church hurt" to remind us of our brokenness. It is an opportunity for us to trust and rely on Him, to draw closer.
We all have had our share of "church hurt", some greater than others. I pray that you allow God to use yours to draw you closer to Him. Our God is so faithful and He never leaves our side, even when we are facing the pain,isolation, and fear of the church!
Peace & Love,
Brittany
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