So many of us are walking around wounded. Whether from childhood trauma, past relationships or the consequences of our own sin, those wounds are real and deep.

Brother and Sister, Jesus sees your wounds. He had some too.

For too many of us, some of that hurt comes from experiences we’ve had within the Church. If the Church is made up of the imperfect people of God and not a physical building, then that same Church will be held accountable for the hurts inflicted on the wounded. Unfortunately, much damage has already been done to so many of us. Let me tell you, Church Hurt is one of the worst kinds of hurt. We come to church expecting kindness and grace, so when you are hurt by the church, it can be truly devastating.

Those traumas caused by the Church are real. Remember, hurt people hurt people. Oftentimes, those hurts cause us to walk away from our faith because we associate our experiences with the people of God to our encounter with the Almighty God. Please do not make the mistake of confusing those two. Do not let your wounds inflicted by others dissuade you from your faith. The Church is full of imperfect people attempting to imperfectly do the perfect will of a perfect God.

Remember, Brother and Sister, Jesus calls us to walk through trials, because He too walked those trials. He is not a distant Savior unable to commensurate with us in our hurt. Jesus was hurt by the Church too. The religious leaders of the time led the crowds in crucifying Him. He knows your hurt. He sees your heart. He forgave and is asking you to do the same.

My church hurt isn’t tied to one particular experience but years of service to a community of believers that abused their power and authority over me and my family. From power-hungry pastors to gossiping choir members to sheer financial neglect, my family has seen it all. At one point in our marriage, it led us to not only leave the ministry, but church altogether. I could make your toes curl by telling you some of the experiences my wife and I have faced in ministry. Unfortunately, way too many church staff members have similar stories.

But God.

God has led us to serve alongside a body of believers that not only love and cherish my family and I, but that have helped heal traumas they didn’t cause. They have allowed my wife and I to serve in all of our frail humanness. They have given us room to make mistakes, grow and learn, all the while supporting us with prayer and encouragement.

Much of our growth and healing has come through the power of forgiveness. Forgiveness is a requirement for the follower of Jesus. Colossians 3:13 says, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Jesus tells us to tough it out through forgiveness. We are to bear with one another, with the all of the hurt and pain through forgiveness. I know it isn’t easy, but it is worth it.

Let me tell you, if you haven’t found a church to do that, Brother or Sister, I implore you to keep looking. There are so many faithful, loving bodies of believers ready to come alongside you and help you heal your hurts. Don’t give up on God because of the imperfect people of God. After all, you and I are just as imperfect.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32