Have you been Hurt in Church?

I live in a place where many people come and go.  I invite some to church and they say they don’t go anymore.  When I ask them why, they tell stories of hurt or betrayal that they experienced in a church somewhere.  The details differ but they turned away from the fellowship with others of their faith because of hypocrites.

Why does it happen?

• Not everyone who goes to church truly believes.  They may not enjoy a relationship with God or any higher power.  Their church attendance and profession of Christianity is living a lie to please others or to look good to society.

 Others sincerely believe, but they are human and fall into the traps of backbiting, lies, or gossip.

Perhaps similar situations also exist in the houses of worship for other faiths.  They are filled with fallible human beings just as we are. It is not supposed to happen that way. 

Love is our greatest commandment.  In John 13:34-35(KJV) we read:

§         “I give a new commandment unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

§         By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

What can we do?


If you already attend a church, think about the way you treat others.  Everyone is looking for love and those who come to church hope they find it there.    Also think about how you treat each other. Love is kind and gentle, not harsh and threatening.


What about you?


Have you been hurt in church and stopped going because of it?  Perhaps you visit a church of your choice and see how people there treat strangers and each other. Keep trying until you find a place where love lives and God will be there also.    Give Him, and your fellow man, one more chance. The Bible says that God is love. 1John 4:8