Church Hurt is real, and it feels like death. I think it’s a major reason people lose faith. Attacks from enemies can be endured, but from other God-lovers? How do we wrap our minds around it?
In Genesis 21, Abraham and Sarah’s church would have been called “First Promise Church” or “Church of the Circumcision” if it were around today. The ladies and kids didn’t get along, and it was time for a church split. God approved of the split, which blows my mind, and Hagar and Ishmael were sent away with a loaf of bread and flask of water. Feels like a corporate church that fires a staff member and gives them a severance, ignoring the heartache and faith-chaos that follows. It’s like the founding father of faith called out, “Blessings!” as he kicked them out of the safety of their family.
Wow.
Hagar waited until she was out of her meager resources and about to die before she called out to God. I’m sure it took awhile, because who wants to believe in the same God as the people who abused, neglected, and mistreated you?
God heard. He said, “Fear not.” And He provided a well of water, a way out of the wilderness, and a wife for her son. Ishmael, as promised, became a great nation.
What must have stung for her is that God continued to bless Abraham and Sarah. God kept His covenant with them too! The church that hurt her continued to be used by God!
Ouch.
God spoke to me through this. When I feel afraid, lacking, desperate, and overwhelmed – go to God first. I don’t need to wait until my resources have run out before I seek His face.
When you’ve been…
Replaced
Ignored
Forgotten
Accused
Mocked
Abused
Mistreated and
Misunderstood –
Cry out to Jesus.
First, seek his face. His love. His Heavenly Guidance.
He sees. He Hears. He knows.
He will open your eyes and show a path and lead your steps to your blessing, provision, and inheritance.
Sometimes, your enemy will drown in the sea.
But sometimes, they’ll be blessed, and they’ll prosper and be called great in the land.
But if the Lord is with you, what more do you need?
“Walk your path with me. I love you and will never leave you.”
