Experiencing a negative incident in a church setting can shake one’s faith to its core. Rosalyn Best, the insightful author of “S.H.I.T. Happens in Church,” explains the challenging aspects of seduction, hypocrisy, idolatry, and talebearing carried out by church leaders. In an exclusive interview, she sheds light on effective strategies to restore faith after enduring such traumatic experiences.
Understanding God’s Unwavering Nature
According to Rosalyn Best, it’s crucial to recognize that any hurtful or manipulative actions within the church are not reflective of God’s intentions. She emphasizes, “People who have been taken advantage of in the church can restore their faith by understanding that it wasn’t God’s doing.” By separating the wrongdoings of church leaders from the divinity of God, individuals can begin to heal and regain their trust in God’s unwavering presence, purpose, and power to reset and redirect their attention back to Him.
Reconnecting Through Prayer and Reflection
To rebuild a connection with God, Best advocates for heartfelt communication. “Ask God to communicate with you through your heart,” she suggests. Say to Him, “I’m always going to need you in my life. I need you to help me, comfort me, and show me how to trust You and only You again.” An open and honest communication with the Father can lead individuals to start to rebuild their faith. Reading, studying, meditating on the word of God from the Bible, living in the present moment, trusting, believing that everything is working for your good, and cultivating authentic gratitude are other effective methods suggested by Best for restoring faith in God. Be completely honest with God and tell him everything even if you think it’s offensive to Him – because it is not. He already knows your thoughts and intents but you need to verbalize it to express your pain, trauma, and disappointments. Express to Him the “Truth that we know can set us free.”
Moving On From a Toxic Environment
When faced with a negative church experience, Best advises against staying in the same toxic environment. When asked about whether people should continue going to the same spiritually toxic, demonic church, she exclaimed “Absolutely not!” Drawing from her own experience, she highlights the importance of recognizing when it’s time to move on from a church that no longer serves one’s emotional and spiritual well-being. “I stayed in the same ministry for almost twenty years because I thought that’s what God wanted me to do, until God spoke to me, telling me to move on from the place where I was being crushed, demonized, and openly humiliated.”
Confrontation or Departure: Dealing with Misguided Church Leaders
Best emphasizes the importance of learning from the shortcomings of church leaders, even if it means understanding what not to do. However, when faced with toxic leadership, she advocates for direct communication. “You just can’t sit in a church and digest things that are poisonous,” she warns. While confronting the leaders can sometimes be a viable option, she also encourages individuals to seek out a more positive spiritual environment if necessary. Being that the opposite of love is not hate – it is jealousy, you will have to navigate strategically and carefully like a serpent to avoid being bitten by the prideful leaders that are not wanting anyone to confront them on evil deeds being done in plain sight. Writing them a love letter to express your concerns is an option but just removing yourself from the prison of ministry is always an individual option to exercise at your own will and discretion. Pray and obey God’s directions for your life. You must trust what God tells you to do, even if it goes against your desires. He can see much further ahead than you can. If the place is corrupt and evil, you don’t need a word from God to stay in that church – you need the courage to leave and find a better community of believers to learn, worship and fellowship with. God will make new provisions if we don’t get paralyzed by fear.
Finding Healing and Hope in Faith
Through her book, “S.H.I.T. Happens in Church,” Best aims to provide readers with a roadmap for navigating and healing from negative church experiences. “My ultimate goal,” she shares, “is to see people rekindle their relationship with Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and the Father God.” Encouraging readers not to blame God for the misdeeds of individuals, she emphasizes the importance of seeking healing and restoration. You cannot heal from the same place you were harmed.
In conclusion, even after experiencing the darkest moments in a church, it is possible to restore faith and find solace in personal reconnection with your heavenly Father. By following these key strategies, individuals can gradually rebuild their relationship with God and regain a sense of peace and purpose in their spiritual journey. Grab a copy of Best’s book today at Amazon!
