How to Get Over Church Hurt

It’s a sad fact of life, but people can get hurt in church.

I wish it wasn’t true, but it is.

And what’s worse is the pain we experience in church hurts more because we expect to be safe in church.

“Church folks are (mostly) Christian people, right? Shouldn’t they be loving and kind, like Jesus?“

The reality is, if you’ve been in church any length of time, you’ve probably been hurt. Either by a pastor or another congregant. Maybe they said something judgemental, or they gossiped about you. Or maybe it was neglect, rejection, backstabbing. There’s no shortage of ways humans can hurt each other and churches are no exception. [sigh]

So if you’ve been on the receiving end of pain caused by a churchgoer, let me tell you how very sorry I am for you. I’m so sad you’ve been mistreated at the hands of those who claim the name of Jesus. (and he’s sad about it too).

Your feelings are valid and your hurt is real.

It may be difficult to know how to move forward.
Should you leave the church?
Should you confront the people who hurt you?
Or maybe you should just forgive and forget.

What should you do?

Find loving relationships to help you process your pain and begin to heal.

The pandemic was particularly hard on pastors. And pastoring can be lonely. Few people find true healing from relational hurt in isolation.

The beginning of healing from all the chaos and hurt starts with you finding your tribe.

“Carry each other’s burdens and in that way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” -Galatians 6:2

Find comfort with God in prayer.

There is a supernatural power that fills the longings of our souls when we go to God in prayer. The Holy Spirit is able to minister to our souls when we stop doing and just sit in His presence. When he has our undivided attention, He can then begin to bring perspective, peace, and calm to places where those things are in short supply…or don’t exist at all.

Stillness can the most challenging posture in a season of pain. Staying busy and in constant motion can sort of mask the hurt that’s just beneath the surface.

But I promise, if you find the courage to sit with the Lord in your pain, He will bring the sweet relief of healing to your soul in ways that only He can.

Bring meaning to your pain

Once you’ve been through a painful experience, you are uniquely gifted to help another going through the same thing. Seek out those who may have experienced hurt in church and just sit and listen to their story.

Some of the most powerful words in the English language are: “Me too.”

To come alongside someone and relate to them and their story lets them know they’re not alone. Others have experienced the same pain…and even lived to tell about it.

You could be the reason they don’t quit on church, or on God.

Using woundedness as motivation to bring healing to another is the ultimate smack in the devil’s face. He wants us to live in bitterness and resentment. Don’t allow your bad church experience to bring you down in the pit of misery. Choose to find healing for yourself and then bring that healing to those around you.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” -1Thessalonians 5:11