When the church breaks your heart

I don’t know your beliefs or your experiences when it comes to God, and church, and Christian communities.  But chances are, if you’ve attended church for any length of time, or if you’ve even known people who say they love Jesus, you’ve probably been wounded by Christians.  And whatever the circumstances, when the church breaks your heart…it breaks God’s heart too.  

When that kind of thing happens, it becomes a turning point for us.  It’s a crossroads.  How we process those experiences will shape how we see God, how we live in community, and how we move forward.  It’s so important to step into that process.

The truth is, scandal and betrayal by spiritual leaders is a part of my story.  In fact, it’s a part of my family.  Two times my family fell apart because of sin and brokenness — sin and brokenness that was also intimately intertwined with the church.  And all I can say is that…my heart aches with you.  My heart longs for something different.  

But we can’t let that be the end of our story.  We can’t let the enemy steal redemption from us.  True redemption happens when the very things that break us become the things that heal.   That doesn’t necessarily mean specific people or places, because that isn’t always possible.  But it does mean that something powerful happens when we allow God to enter the broken places and bring forth life from those very wounds.  It’s the Gospel made real in us.  Costly forgiveness. A heart that allows the Father to do what only He can do.  And grace for the process.  

He is so gentle with us, and patient.  His power and greatness don’t belittle our pain.  I don’t know what it looks like, but I want this to be a space where these experiences don’t have to remain unspoken or unheard.  So if you have ideas, let me know.  What would have helped you then?  What would help you now?  Maybe the first thing is just starting the conversation.

“By His wounds we are healed.” [Isaiah 53:5b]