🌻Although I am weary, HE IS STRONG!! Don’t let church hurt ever stop your PRAISE!!
by Jennifer Greene-Sullivan
What should I say?
What should I do?
What should I think?
How should I handle this?
Lately, I’ve wrestled with a grief that doesn’t come from the world—but from the body of Christ itself. Hurtful words. Slander. Backbiting. Discord. From former church family and even former church leadership. In the wake of all of it, I’ve found myself quiet, subdued, and reluctant to step into my new church home with the same joy and passion I once had.
I used to be so unencumbered. So full of excitement to serve. Eager to love others and walk in the calling God placed on my life.
But now?
Now I hesitate.
I question.
I wonder if what I’ve experienced might even be a form of spiritual or emotional abuse—abuse from fellow believers.
Yet, in the midst of all this pain, the Lord reminded me of a simple moment with my son.
We were on vacation, just the two of us, and he turned to me and said:
“Mama, isn’t praise more important than farming?”
In our family, farming is more than a job—it’s a way of life, especially for my husband Chris and our son Liam. It’s the measure by which we weigh a day’s value. But Liam’s question stopped me.
Isn’t praise more important?
Yes, son.
Yes, it is.
Praising God is more important than any idol, any obligation, or any commitment we try to place ahead of Him. We were made for one purpose: to bring glory to the Father.
Even if He never gave me another thing…
Even if the healing never came…
Even if the hurt lingers longer than I’d like…
He is still worthy.
So I’m laying down the questions.
I’m surrendering the pain.
I’m letting go of the weight of what they did.
I’m putting away the moments of sadness and of pain.
Because at the end of the day, their actions do not define my calling.
My calling is to praise.
My calling is to worship.
My calling is to say YES to the One who saved me.
So forget the hurt and the mess.
Move over…
Here comes my yes.
—Much love,
Jennifer
📖 Scripture Study for This Post
Psalm 34:1 (ESV)
“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
David penned these words while fleeing for his life, pretending to be insane just to escape danger. Yet in this low and fearful place, he chose to praise. His situation didn’t look praiseworthy, but his God was still worthy. This verse is a call to worship at all times, even in the middle of personal betrayal, slander, or spiritual discouragement.
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (ESV)
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
It’s not always easy to rejoice or give thanks when the people who were supposed to shepherd or support you become the source of pain. However, God’s will for us in every circumstance is to keep praising, praying, and giving thanks. Why? Because our praise isn’t based on people—it’s rooted in His goodness and our identity in Christ.
Acts 16:25–26 (ESV)
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.”
Paul and Silas had every reason to stay silent and defeated—they were beaten, bruised, and unjustly imprisoned. Yet their praise didn’t stop. In the darkness of a jail cell, they lifted their voices. Their praise shook the foundations and set captives free—including themselves. The same can happen for us. Even in emotional or spiritual bondage, our praise can become the key to our release.
Hebrews 13:15 (NIV)
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.”
The phrase “sacrifice of praise” reminds us that praising God isn’t always easy or convenient. Sometimes, praise flows out naturally—but other times, it’s a deliberate act of obedience in the face of pain. Hebrews 13:15 encourages us to praise continually, not only when it feels good, but when it feels costly. Your “yes” to God in the middle of hurt is a holy act of worship. When your trust is shaken, and yet your lips still choose praise—that is when your faith speaks loudest.
🎯 Challenge: Step Out in a Small YES
This week, identify one small way you can step out in faith and give God your yes again—especially in the area where hurt tried to silence you.
- Is it singing again?
- Volunteering again?
- Reaching out to someone new at church?
- Praying out loud during group time?
Choose just one thing and do it unto God—not for the approval of others, but as a sacrifice of praise.
Let your yes speak louder than your pain.
🙏 Prayer
Father,
You see the wounds I carry—wounds not from enemies, but from people who were once my family in the faith. You know the betrayal, the silence, the judgment, and the fear it left behind. But Lord, I don’t want to stay stuck there. I don’t want bitterness to shape my view of Your Bride.
You are still worthy.
Even when I feel like withdrawing, You are drawing me near.
Even when I feel abandoned, You remind me that I am never alone.
So today, I give You my yes.
It may be trembling, small, and hesitant—but it is honest.
Heal the parts of me that have grown quiet out of fear.
Restore my joy in worship.
Renew my passion for fellowship.
And let my praise be louder than my pain.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
#PraiseThroughThePain #HeIsWorthy #FaithOverFeelings #WorshipInTheStorm #HeartOfPraise #StillIBlessHim #JesusHealsChurchWounds #GiveGodYourYes
The Aging English Major 