Have You Been Hurt by People in the Church?

Have you been hurt by people in your church?

I hear so many stories of people who have been. 

Chances are if you are reading this article you probably have been too. 

I wish that I could sit and talk with you. 

And take some time to pray over you. 

I know that so many people feel alone on this topic.

So I'd like to share are a few words to help!

Let's begin:

1. First, remember that the people in your church are sinners and are imperfect--and they need Jesus just as much as you do. Just because they are in church, in a small group, or even a leader doesn't mean that they don't need Him or struggle with sin themselves. 

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." ~ Romans 3:23

2. Your job is to pray for them. Just as much you need it, they do too! 

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed." James 5:13

3. We need to ultimately look to Christ. He is our TRUE hope, and we need to trust in Him, not the person sitting next to us in the pew. 

"Blessed is the man who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. " ~ Jeremiah 17:7

4. Guard your heart. It might be easy to let unforgiveness and bitterness in. But don't let that happen, it will be unhealthy for you and your walk with God in the long run and it gives Satan a foothold. 

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ~I Peter 5:8

I know that every situation is different--but we need to ask what God is teaching us through it all.

God wants us to forgive each other as how He has forgiven us.

Here are a few Bible verses on forgiveness:

Ephesians 4:32 

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Mark 11:25 

And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Matthew 6:15 

But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 18:21-22 

Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.

Matthew 6:14-15 

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Luke 6:37 

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven...

Colossians 3:13 

Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Ladies, keep your eyes fixed on our Savior and His word that is true. 

HE will not fail you. 

And please know that I am praying for you!

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