Church is Hard But well Worth It’s Benefits

Have you ever been too tired to go to church after tending to a family member suffering a long-term illness? A kid’s ball tournament? From coughing all night long? Kids or grandkids waking you up during the night? For many, it’s easier to watch a TV evangelist or an online preaching video.

Have you gotten out of the habit of going to church from changing jobs or shifts? From moving to a new place? Or, an even longer absence from a past hurt in the church? For these and many other reasons, church is hard. Why do we go to church then?

Because the benefits outweigh the hardship.

Don’t give up, or our churches will die. As it is, pastors are quitting by the droves, satellite churches are popping up like dandelions in the spring, and worship resembles concerts more than making a joyful noise. Millennials don’t see a need to attend church unless they have projects families can do together. No matter what is tried to bring people in, church is still hard.

Because of this fact, we need to think about who’s sitting next to us on the pew. Church is more than likely hard for them as well. Show kindness. Be friendly. Show interest in your neighbor, making it easier to worship. Pretend you were entering for the first time. Would you want to come back?

I have witnessed smelly people adorned in dirt, scars, and sores, wearing clothes holier than our congregants, dared to walk in our church doors. Pride welled inside like a proud parent as almost every member welcomed them. One man hadn’t been in a church in forty-six years. He came back for a few months before accepting Jesus into his heart to wash away his sins. Another one visited from time to time and called on my husband after suffering from a heart attack. He died in the ICU so Steve prayed for the family. While doing so, the man came back to life, shocking the nurses.

We never want to turn away someone who can be saved or healed, especially those who can be set free from anxiety, addiction, or abusive relationships. Our God is more than able.

Remember this as you read the following lists I found on Facebook. It was a copy and paste post with no mentioned author. May your eyes be opened. No one can receive the wonderful benefits of church if they don’t come.

Church is hard. . .

• for the person walking through the doors, afraid of judgment
• for the pastor’s family, under the microscope of an entire body
• for the prodigal soul returning home, broken and battered by the world
• for the girl who looks like she has it all together, but doesn’t
• for the couple who fought the entire ride to service
• for the single mom, surrounded by couples holding hands, and seemingly perfect families
• for the widow and widower with no invitation to lunch after service
• for the deacon with an estranged child
• for the person singing worship songs, overwhelmed by the weight of the lyrics
• for the man insecure in his role as a leader
• for the wife who longs to be led by a righteous man
• for the nursery volunteer who desperately longs for a baby to love
• for the mother who held their child in her arms as they left earth
• for the single woman and single man, praying God brings them a mate
• for the teenage girl, wearing a scarlet letter, ashamed of her mistakes
• for the dad whose ex-wife won’t let him see his children
• for the mom who sold her favorite possession to bail her son out of jail hours earlier
• for the child awake most of the night listening in fear to his parents argue
• for the sinners

Remember, it’s hard because to every one of us, it all looks shiny and perfect. Sunday best in behavior and dress.  However, underneath those layers, you find a body of imperfect people, carnal souls, selfish motives. Each one with insecurities, burdens, afraid to reveal their inner souls.

But, here is the beauty of church —

Church is. . .

• a body, or group of sinners, saved by grace, living in fellowship as saints
• a body of believers bound as brothers and sisters by eternal love
• a holy ground where sinners stand as equals before the Throne of Grace
• a refuge for broken hearts and a training ground for mighty warriors
• a converging of confrontation and invitation where sin is confronted and hearts are invited to seek restoration
• a lesson in faith and trust
• a bearer of burdens and a giver of hope
• a family coming together, setting aside differences, forgetting past mistakes, rejoicing in the smallest triumphs
• where He resides, blesses, and heals, He blesses with joy, love, peace, and heals hurts, minds, and bodies while we worship Him in Spirit and Truth

So even on the hard days at church —

The days when I am at odds with a friend. When I’ve fought with my husband because we’re late once again. When I’ve walked in bearing burdens heavier than my heart can handle, yet masking the pain with a smile on my face. When I’ve worn a scarlet letter, under the microscope. When I’ve longed for a baby to hold, or fought tears as the lyrics were sung. When I’ve walked back in, afraid and broken, after walking away. I’ll remember, He has never failed to meet me there.   ]

-the end [some additions were made by me]

Question. How has God met you at church when church was hard for you to go?

Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to read and share this post. I appreciate it more than you’ll ever know. I love reading your thoughtful comments and am trying to learn how to respond with my tricky screen-reading technology. Thanks for your patience – I will get there. Blessings to all!

© 2019, Jena Fellers. All rights reserved.