“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” – Colossians 3:13 (NIV)
Welcome to the 43rd weekly devotional recap of the year. This week, we concluded our series on the Church by addressing the topic of Church hurt and how to deal with it.
We began the week by learning that, like with any other relationship, conflict and misunderstanding are inevitable among believers. Still, we must learn to bear with one another in love (Colossians 3:13). When you are hurt by your siblings in Christ, whether it’s due to a disagreement over a Church decision, a personal conflict, or feeling unappreciated in your service, remember that everyone is still growing in faith and extend grace and patience to them. Acknowledge your pain, communicate honestly, seek counsel if needed, and take it to God in prayer for healing and wisdom. Your feelings matter, but don’t let offence define your faith or your place in God’s family.
On Tuesday, we learnt how to deal with the pain that comes when people we trust and look up to hurt us. Remember that leaders are human and fallible, and their failures do not reflect God’s character (1 Samuel 2:22, Jeremiah 23:32). Forgive, speak respectfully, and seek wise counsel if needed (Matthew 18:15-17). Guard your heart against bitterness and remember that one person’s failure does not define God’s Church. If the environment is harmful and unrepentant, it’s okay to step away for your well-being, but not from your faith. God will lead you to healing, restoration, and a safe place for your faith to grow.
Wednesday’s devotional taught us how to deal with the pain that comes when those we serve or lead hurt us. Leadership is rewarding but can also be painful in environments of gossip, dishonour, or ingratitude. When you are hurt, take it to God honestly. Prayer releases your heart from offence and keeps you tender so you can see others through God’s eyes. Address issues with grace and wisdom, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your words and actions. When it feels too heavy, remember that Jesus, betrayed and condemned to death by those He came to save (Luke 23:34 ), understands your pain and will walk with you through it.
On Thursday, we were reminded that just as Jesus forgave us while we were still sinners, we are to forgive others as an act of obedience and love. Church hurt can cut deeply because it often comes from those we expected to love and support us, but holding on to offence only poisons the heart and hinders our fellowship with God. Forgiveness releases pain and prevents bitterness from taking root. It doesn’t erase the wrong, but it releases its grip. Choose to forgive, not because others deserve it, but because Christ forgave you first.
We ended the week by learning that the Church is not just a place of worship, but also a place of healing and restoration (Galatians 6:1), not judgment. When a believer stumbles, your role is to remind them of who they are in Christ: redeemed, loved, and called (2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 8:1). Be a restorer. See the fallen through the eyes of Christ, extend compassion over condemnation, and remind them that no one is beyond God’s mercy. Sometimes, all a weary heart needs is one person who believes they can rise again. Be that person.
Dear believer, Church hurt is real, but so is God’s healing. His plan for the Church hasn’t changed: He still calls us to love, forgive, and restore one another. Don’t let offence push you away from the family of faith.
Bible Reading Plan: Jeremiah 31–35; Hebrews 12:1–29