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Day 59: Healing from Church Wounds (Bonus Lesson 8)

In the last three episodes, we mentioned the temptations we must guard against (isolation, idleness, and independence) if we want to grow deeper with Jesus and find satisfaction and rest in Him.

Many people however after they go through hurt, disappointment, or persecution in the church it's hard to let go. Some cease church entirely, and some others go but are distanced. Some never submit again to spiritual authority, and others do submit but do not give their all. Some do not serve at all, and others serve holding on to past hurts.

No matter what we go through, God's structure stands. So we must take the effort to receive grace, heal and recommit ourselves fully again to the local church and its authorities.

How do we deal with church wounds?
  1. Separate God and His character from whatever happened:
We mustn't judge God by the flawed characters of His vessels and sheep. As long as we're on this side of eternity, we are subject to experiencing human frailties, whether ours or others. We must learn to love God regardless of what His people put us through. He is often misrepresented by many believers but He remains true. He remains just, loving, kind, and compassionate. Acts 9:4 proves to us that Jesus associates with our pain.

When we read through the Bible especially the books of the Prophets, God many times expressed His displeasure at anyone who wounds His people. So we must remember God's true character in whatever we go through. We must never doubt His love for us. Church hurts are a result of the imperfection of men. God does not support it, and the fact that it happened does not mean He doesn't love or love you less.
  1. Sustain communication with God:
It might be hard to pray when we go through some things. But we must understand that prayer is simply talking to God. It doesn't have to be traditional. You don't have to start or end with Jesus' name. You don't have to close your eyes, and you don't have to pray in tongues. In moments of hurt, no matter how little, we must be vulnerable before Him. We must open our hearts and pour them out to Him.

In those moments behind closed doors, let the Lord know how you feel. What you've experienced and how it's affected you and your relationship with Him and others. Hebrews 4:15 says He knows the feelings of our infirmities. Even if you have no words, play an instrumental or worship music, sit there, and let His presence wash over you. Do anything you can to sustain your connection with God. True healing is in His presence.
  1. Seek healing from the word of God and credible christian materials:
You must treat church wounds like any other emotional wound. Don't leave the healing to time, time does not heal wounds, intentionality does. The word of God is medicine for all kinds of hurt. Proverbs 4:22 says in the Message Translation:

“Those who discover these words live, really live; body and soul, they’re bursting with health.”

Meditate on and confess scriptures about the love of God and healing from emotional hurt and pain.

Get resources from christian authors on dealing with soul issues.
  1. Open up to someone:
Finding someone to be open and vulnerable to can be challenging. But you can ask the Lord to help you find someone you can open up to. Seek Christian company and counselors, don't turn to unbelieving friends. Even if they mean well, they do not understand the dynamics of God's kingdom.

5. Pray for and forgive those who hurt you:
There is a famous saying:

“To err is human, to forgive is divine.”

It takes God's help to let go of hurts. Especially very deep-seated hurts attached to abuse. Jesus in Matthew 5:44 tells us to pray for those who hurt us. It might not be easy but start by asking the Lord to help you forgive. To search your heart and root out every feeling of animosity or indifference.

If you're experiencing pain from a church wound, it's okay to take a break from service if you think it will help you. Do not however succumb to isolation, idleness, or independence. Take the time you need to heal, but ensure you're connected to a body of believers through it all.

If you need to change your church, ask the Lord to lead you on how to go about it.

PRAY WITH ME:
Lord, your word says in Psalm 147:3 that you are close to the brokenhearted and you bind up their wounds. I lay my heart open before you today, heal every wound and hurt. Let my heart be healthy and whole towards your church, her shepherds, and her people. Amen.

REFLECT AND ACT:
  • If you have been or are going through emotional hurt by the church, whether her leaders or congregation, ask the Lord to help you let go and be whole again.
  • Many events leave more impact on our hearts than we can imagine. Ask the Lord to search your heart and bring forward any incidents that may still be lingering in your heart and begin to work on them
  • Take the time to pray for those who have hurt you or those you know have been hurt by the church.

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