In Isaiah 58:1 it states that we are to "Cry aloud and spare not. Lift up thy voice like a trumpet." It continues to say "And shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins." When I think about this as it pertains to the hurting and abused, it is clear to me that we as the body of Christ have not done all that we can to help those that are hurting.
What happens to: If one hurts we all hurt. Isn't that what Paul was talking about in Romans 12? When he say in verse 15, "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." Yet we allow our brothers and sisters to suffer day in and day out. We challenge them to speak about what has occurred to them and if they do we label them as problems. We rebuke them for voicing what occurred and how it made them feel.
I remember all to well speaking about being molested and watching my Pastor roll his eyes and become extremely uncomfortable. This reaction cause me to shut up and suffer in silence. Not only did I shut out my voice for seeking for help with my emotional wounds, i shut off God's healing virtue in these areas because I felt it was something I had to suffer with. It happened to me because somehow, as a six year old child I had asked for it. I mean, that how I was made to feel. Now don't get me wrong, no one actually said it to me but actions DO speak louder than words.
In their attempts to hurry up and get me healed (whole) they told me to just get over it. It happened so many years ago and now you are an adult. Stop living in the past. I laugh now. But let me say this... telling someone that is hurt to just get over it is causing that person to assume guilt and blame themselves. the first question that is asked is: Why cant I just get over it? followed by I must have done something to deserve this behavior? and finally...this is my burden to bear alone.
Dear hearts, we are the body of Christ. NO one should have to suffer in silence. NO one should cry themselves to sleep, or have suicidal thoughts, or try to ease the pain with anything other than God's love. Let me say this, the first way for an abused person to feel God's love is through those who call themselves saints.
The church is a hospital. A hospital is a place where the sick, abused, tattered and torn can come and be mended. No one should come to a place of worship and leave the same way they came.
I don't know about you but I am tired of Church being a fashion show, a routine, a social club and anything but a hospital. No one says, Hey let's have girls night at the ER tonight, I'll bring the popcorn. I understand that we have events and evangelism to get the unchurched to come. I agree with this wholeheartedly, but I say this if you are going to get them in the doors have something there to offer to them when they come with REAL issues. Deliverance is available, if we the body of Christ would get our flesh out of the way and serve the Lord as he intended. Just look at Jesus, he was our example. he did ministry in a real hands on way. No one that met Jesus ever stayed the same. That same Jesus is now on the inside of us. No one should ever leave a service with their needs not being met.
Healing is available. Let's stop playing church and be the church. The body of Christ needs to be healed and delivered and that can only happen when we are real with ourselves and take responsibility for and to each other.
Man down on the field...will you help them get up?
You are Bound No More.
Pastor Linda Hillman
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