Church Hurt: Part Three

The Church

Carli Odom

Apr 26, 2025

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On Behalf of the Church

I want to end by saying I’m sorry! I’m so sorry if you’ve been hurt by someone in the church. If you’ve been misled or taken advantage of. I’m so sorry if you tried to turn to Jesus, and instead, you were hurt and turned away.

I’m sorry if someone unintentionally did something to turn you away from Jesus. I’m especially sorry if someone who was supposed to love you intentionally harmed you. From the bottom of my heart… I’m sorry you’ve been hurt by the church.

The church is not perfect. It’s full of imperfect people doing their best, but unfortunately, every area of life has a few bad seeds that wreak havoc and taint the waters for the rest of us.

I hope you know that God sees the abuse of power, and he will bring justice. He will restore what has been broken. Those people will have to answer to God for their sins. I wouldn’t want to be that person who stands in front of the throne and has to answer for lost souls.

Galatians 5:10 NLT

“I am trusting the Lord to keep you from believing false teachings. God will judge that person, whoever he is, who has been confusing you.”

Jesus Loves You

I want to urge you to consider giving Jesus another chance. Please don’t allow any individual to rob you of your inheritance.

He is the King of Kings, and He calls you His own. He loves you so much. He is waiting for you to open the door and welcome Him into your heart so he can heal the broken parts of you. The soul wounds that no one knows about. The trauma and suffering you’ve experienced. Ask Holy Spirit to heal the heartbreak and embrace the comfort that God is waiting to extend.

Isaiah 61:7-8 NIV

"Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance; and so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours. For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them."

Finding Fellowship

This is exactly why I created this publication! I hope you feel seen, heard, appreciated, and loved. I hope you know that there is a community of people who are ready to embrace you and help you grow closer to Jesus without judging and being critical.

This is a space for you. A space where you are free to have hard conversations and discuss the challenges of being a Christian in today’s society.

Proverbs 27:17 NLT

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”

P.S.

I hope you found this post to be helpful in your walk with Christ!

Please feel free to comment below and share your own personal notes! I truly believe that the Lord uses scripture to speak to each of us in different ways, so I would love to engage with my readers and learn more about your perspective. My goal is to create an engaging community where we feel comfortable sharing our thoughts and growing together in fellowship.

Thank you!

Every like, share, and subscription brings me one step closer to publishing my devotional—so thank you for being part of this journey with me! Your support makes all the difference, and it truly means the world to me!

Sources

New Living Translation (NLT)

New International Version (NIV)