Dear Editor,
Church hurt is a real and painful thing. There are many people who were raised in church, but have turned their backs on the Kingdom of God in their adult years because they were hurt by church members in their youth.
Sometimes the hurt is caused deliberately on account of secret sins, abuse of one kind or another, prejudice or discrimination of some kind, or by misunderstandings and misrepresentations.
Quite a lot of church hurt go unidentified and unresolved.
Often, while an individual might be responsible for the pain, the entire body of Christ takes the blame.
People often turn to religion to turn over a new leaf, find peace, break free from their past or join a community that offers a safe space.
Some believers find love, peace, joy and acceptance, others find a fiery judgement.
Unfortunately, “church hurt” leads people not to trust what the church stands for.
The Scriptures provide several remedies to deal with Church hurt and to prevent it all together.
Matthew 5:23-24 (King James Version)
‘23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.’
God will not accept your prayer if you hold unforgiveness in your heart. This applies both to the offender and the offended.
But even before we get to the point of offending anyone, we are commanded to love our neighbours as we love ourselves.
But what exactly are we to do about the most offensive gossip and quarrelsome individual who happens to be our neighbour? The Scriptures say we should love them still.
While the apology for past hurts caused during church relations may be a step in the right direction, the command goes further, we need to visit with those who have been hurt or ostracized for one reason or another and make peace.
I hope this helps someone who may be suffering from church hurt.
I am,
Very Concerned.