When I began to think about this issue and just how big of an issue it is, I thought about the hurt ones. I have been hurt in the church and I’m sure many others have as well. There’s much that can be said to the hurt ones, but this post is for the church -more specifically the whole body of Christ. When I see the church I think about Christ after he died and after he rose from the dead. I think about how he appeared to his disciples and they didn’t know who he was. I think of the heart posture He must have rested in. Even after dying for them and then conquering death… To appear to His followers, and they still not believe who He is. He could’ve taken his gifts back. He could’ve said you don’t deserve to be saved, but instead He showed them his scars… So that they could believe.
I believe it is the lack of practice amongst the Church (Body of Christ) that has lead to a lot of “Church-Hurt”. We the Church can sometimes feel unattached to the things we have suffered. Perhaps we feel ashamed that we brought some of that suffering on ourselves or maybe we have ascended beyond that place in our lives, but if we…
- Have our own prescribed path.
- Truly understand that ALL things work together for not just our good but for our purpose.
- Believe that God won’t waste any part of our experience (the good, bad or ugly).
Then who are we to say
“Use everything, God, but not THAT ”
Now lets talk practical because that’s the purpose of this whole project. (To talk about real life issues from a Biblical perspective) Freud calls this process “Repression”. The repression theory occurs when people unconsciously sweep away memories, experiences, desires or thoughts that they view negatively. Repression is a defense mechanism and what are we defending?? Our Ego… our pride. The root of self-defense or a defense mechanism is fear.
So to summarize… A lot of church hurt has happened as a result of church people who have pushed down the memories of their own negative experiences, desires, thoughts (sin) as a way to protect their pride for fear of how they may be looked at by others -who also wear the same masks and who wrap themselves In the same robes of holier-than. Its time to ask ourselves If we’re really Imitating Christ. Before you answer… Are we imitating the entirety of His life or just the ascension part?
To the Hurt ones…
Don’t give up on God. Despite what people may have shown you by their actions or lack there of, Jesus came for the wounded, the hurt and the rejected ones.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds”
With Lovingkindness,
XOXO
Let Him In – Jokia
Lovingkind Counsel 
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