The Pain You Experienced from the Past isn't Sinful

Denying our sinfulness is natural. Who wants to claim something that makes us uncomfortable? It's not easy to own.

But what about negative feelings that are not sinful -- the ones that result merely from living in a less-than-perfect world or from getting sinned against? What is one to do with pain, grief, anger, sadness or fear that results from a past of abuse?

Some in the church say that to still stuffer from these things indicates unreported sin. The sufferer is condemned for feeling pain.

When we feel hurt and anger over what happens to us, we need to respond to our pain correctly. The Bible tells us about the importance of dealing appropriately with sadness. It talks about how to deal with anger. It explains how suffering refines us. (See Romans, Ecclesiastes and Hebrews) But nowhere does the Bible say that pain results from an act against you is sin.

Nowhere.

Yet in some Christian circles, victims of abuse or divorce are told that, because they feel pain from past hurts, they are somehow not appropriating the suffering of the gospel -- and are therefore sinning. To blame victims for their pain is a sin against the wounded, against the brokenhearted, against the oppressed; it is a sin against God himself, whose heart is with those who hurt.

Nowhere does scripture tell us to confront the wounded. It tells us instead to love them. Admonition, we are told, should be reserved for those who are unruly or rebellious.

Too often the church confronts hurting people about their pain instead of treating them with kindness and compassion. Because of this false message, the wounded person forsakes God and the church.

 I want to help you connect with God in a healthy way, away from the shame and spiritual abuse. Scroll down and learn more about my upcoming workshop, Mentally Healthy Faith.