On another thread I was prompted to remember an incident in a fellowship some years ago where I had shared something painful and personal and got attacked for it. It took me ages to get over it as it felt like I was already down on the ground, when the bible teacher started putting the boot in. Thankfully I have been able to find my joy in the Lord once more, and recover ministerial outlets, but I would say that is solely down to the goodness and awesomeness of God and no thanks to that Bible teacher.
Often to me it feels like there is a lonely aspect to our walk where we find out Who Christ is, who we are in Him, and what the substance of our relationship can be through the places He leads us. These things are precious, priceless even, but to accompany this experience for me there is always the sorrow I deeply feel for how the church could be, but isn't.
In discussion this morning with a beloved brother he confessed he never trusts anyone but a tiny few in the church. He and I have passed through things similar over a similar time span and I understand where he is coming from. It seems there is such arrogance out there and an eagerness to make ourselves publicly appear right while not wanting to labour and love each other, or suffer for the good of someone, even a little.
Someone once said to me that I am a very strong person. She meant that I had passed through serious troubles with my faith intact. It made me cry because I had not thought of myself as strong at all, rather the opposite.
But I seem to be mourning for what I see in the church, that there is a shortage of people to whom people may come when they are really struggling with an issue, and that if they do get the courage up to share it, often get blasted for failing rather than encouraged or restored.
Is this anyone else's experience or just my jaundiced view?
Often to me it feels like there is a lonely aspect to our walk where we find out Who Christ is, who we are in Him, and what the substance of our relationship can be through the places He leads us. These things are precious, priceless even, but to accompany this experience for me there is always the sorrow I deeply feel for how the church could be, but isn't.
In discussion this morning with a beloved brother he confessed he never trusts anyone but a tiny few in the church. He and I have passed through things similar over a similar time span and I understand where he is coming from. It seems there is such arrogance out there and an eagerness to make ourselves publicly appear right while not wanting to labour and love each other, or suffer for the good of someone, even a little.
Someone once said to me that I am a very strong person. She meant that I had passed through serious troubles with my faith intact. It made me cry because I had not thought of myself as strong at all, rather the opposite.
But I seem to be mourning for what I see in the church, that there is a shortage of people to whom people may come when they are really struggling with an issue, and that if they do get the courage up to share it, often get blasted for failing rather than encouraged or restored.
Is this anyone else's experience or just my jaundiced view?