Recovery from Church-Injury

Are you "church-injured?"

Many are and had been. Throughout the history of the church, people get injured even by fellow believers. Such involves a special kind of recovery and healing process.

"What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? ... You are envious and cannot obtain so you fight and quarrel ... " (James 4: 1, 2b)

During some years of my being a Christian, I thought pastors are free from defects. Eventually I realized I was wrong. Believers are saved, not perfect. Even pastors and leaders are human - "works in progress." Just like everybody else, they too need correction, support, and encouragement to grow spiritually in the love of Christ.

Doing ministry as I do, it can be hard to deal with fellow pastors and believers who hurl attacks in the name of God. I can see the reasons why an unbeliever or atheist would hate, avoid, or attack me. But venom and negative, judgmental words from those who utter the name of Christ? These can make anyone jump up and down!

"You'll receive your greatest opposition to your Kingdom work from other Christians," says university president Dr. Rex Rogers.

That's true in the case of Jesus Christ. It was the religious, spiritual leaders who conspired to oppose and destroy Him. They could not stand Him. So they crucified Him.

In the midst of the worst crime ever committed by humankind, Jesus responded, "Father, forgive them for they don't know what they're doing." (Luke 23: 34)

There lies your "church-injury" healing and recovery.

"Never pay back evil with more evil. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God." (Romans 12: 17-19)