Bible Passage: “Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger? If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am.” (2 Corinthians 11:29-30 NLT)
Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 11:23-33; Romans 5:3-5; Romans 8:18-39
Only a few months into my first pastoral appointment, I was immersed in a full-blown church conflict that divided the congregation over a trivial issue. The senior pastor who invited me to join his staff was torn between the necessity of change and the resistance of tradition. The fighting was vitriolic and led to his tumultuous resignation.
I felt traumatized and considered making an early exit from ministry. But God used that conflict and my pain as a transformative moment.
What do we do when we face traumatic conflict in the Church? Stay, leave, or find a third way?
A caveat: if you’ve experienced church trauma or abuse, you’re never obligated to remain in ongoing mistreatment or tolerate sinful behavior. Abuse must be confronted and brought to light. The Scriptures clearly demonstrate that God cares deeply for those who are hurting, and issues of power, control, and victimization should not be tolerated within the Church (Matthew 18:15-20).
We can gloss over these verses in 2 Corinthians 11 about what Paul endured. The list is extensive and jaw-dropping: whipped, beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, lost at sea—and that’s only two verses (v.24-25). There were dangers, deprivations, and deep concerns. His trauma must have been profound. If our bodies keep score on traumas, what impact did this have on Paul’s physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual health?
Paul was not bragging. He defended himself against the challenges of false apostles, which added to his trauma. Through his letter, he demonstrated that these events were not weaknesses that disqualified him from ministry; they uniquely qualified him.
His words in 2 Corinthians 4:7 remind us that weaknesses are not limitations but opportunities for God’s power to be displayed through “fragile clay jars.”
Paul found a third way. Trauma became formative and demonstrative of God’s power at work. Trauma should not be diminished, but it need not derail us.
Prayer: Lord, I bring my past traumas to You for healing and hope. Help me to trust Your heart and to see Your hand at work. Amen.
Reflection: Are there traumas in your past that have hindered or derailed your faith? Have you seen God’s power work in your weakness? If you have experienced traumatic events, please consider finding a counsellor or trusted person to help you process your past hurts.
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