Sometimes God allows real hurt to bring perspective. We should embrace it! Because if we allow it, that pain will be the catalyst that brings real healing and recovery of our true natures. Let me explain.
There is a new thing called “church hurt” or “spiritual abuse." Probably not new but let's say its primacy is ever gaining. Though at times this is very real, it is our way of thinking or dealing with it that is false. We expect that in the church, hurt doesn’t exists. Sweetheart, we are not in heaven yet. God hasn’t wiped away every tear yet. We are still on this terraform we call earth. It’s still corrupt. It’s still messed up and we still have a gospel to share and for the very reasons I just mentioned. WE STILL NEED GOD! And yes even church folk.
This generation has grown up being convinced that we can take a pill to stop the pain. Take Psychotic drugs and life will be good again. We don’t like pain or hurt. But healing of our issues never comes without pain. Spare the Rod (pain), spoil the child. Many like to call it church hurt because saying “I’m hurt” gives me justification to retaliate. But the truth is, we are angry because we aren’t getting what we want. "Preacher! Just tell me I’m okay and we will be okay. But if you don’t, I’m gonna call it abuse."
Now for the record for those that will be quick to attack. Spiritual abuse has happened. And it will happen again. But not every preacher who tells you that you are living wrong or disobeying the Word of God is spiritually abusing you. They are reaching for your souls! And fact is, there are still preachers out there that do the job regardless of low pay, little recognition and often has someone mad at them most days. And let me add this is a job that is one of the top 5 most stressful occupations in the world. Just check yourself before you call something spiritual abuse.
Let's continue this discussion of suffering. Paul states, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18 ESV
Point for consideration; Without the suffering (pain) we cannot experience the glory (healing) that he has for us.
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Romans 5:3-5 ESV
Today, we don't embrace suffering. Never mind rejoicing in them. No, we take a pill. We pay people to listen to our complaints but we don't want to tell us anything that is contrary to our way of thinking. And as a result, more and more people lack character because we found a way to stop what we don't like. But according to scripture, our sufferings will produce an ability to last, produces character and that produces hope. Are you lacking hope? Then you might be lacking character. If so, then it might be a result of trying to get out of things by finding a way to end the struggle early. W
ithout it, you don't build endurance and simply put...you're weak.
“The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health.”
Psalm 41:3 ESV
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