By Jim Nichols

“Yes, I used to have a ‘church home’ (as you have called it), but that was earlier in my life. These days I don’t really connect with religion much. I have so many negative things about it in my past that I have found it easier and less stressful just to ignore it these days.”

Those words are frequently stated to me, often in my conversations as a chaplain in the hospital. However, they are not limited to that setting. These sentiments are common and, to some extent I suspect, they move through the head of each one of us occasionally. Faith is weird that way; sometimes we feel positive about our relationship with God and are basking in His love and care. Triggered by something unexpected, however, we can swing to another point where continuing down the “person of faith” track seems illogical if not impossible.

When such words are spoken by another person to me, I frequently note that though it is a sad and troubling comment, it is usually not said in anger. More often, there is a wistfulness and a distant longing for another time in the speaker’s life—a “that was then but this is now” expression. You can almost see it in the speaker’s eye.

In the middle 1960s we were living in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The drive to the local church we attended was down the appropriately named “Maple Avenue.” Although I had grown up in the Midwest where I was accustomed to the changing of leaves in the fall, this Michigan street was the most beautiful I had ever seen. The colors were dazzling.

The preacher at the church was a former foreign missionary and seemed to me to be a person of wisdom and experience. During one of the questioning periods in my life, I made an afternoon appointment at his house. I told him of my discouragement and disappointment with the little church we shared and about my general faith struggles not only with my graduate studies, but with life in general. 

Although not a unique perspective to him, he gently explained that he viewed the church as a hospital. It was filled with sick and injured people in need of healing. In the hospital they were trying to find others with skills, patience, and encouragement to help them regain their previous state of health.

At that time in my biological studies, one of the topics that fascinated me (and still does) was the phenomenon of healing. Our bodies (and the bodies of other animals and plants) have remarkable abilities to recover from attacks whether those be infections or injuries. Certainly, some attacks are more significant than others, but, even at that, you would agree that our bodies show a stunning ability to cover wounds and regain strength and function. It is one of the most impressive features of life for this Christian biologist. 

The parallel here is that the same type of healing is possible spiritually as well as physically. Admittedly, some people (perhaps you) have been seriously wounded by something connected to church. As with your physical body, your spiritual nature can be subject to healing. It is a natural, expected phenomenon if we allow it to occur. This might require “medications” or “crutches” that strengthen us temporarily and “exercises” and “supplements” as we regain our spiritual vigor. We must seek out supportive aid as we heal. That could come from some sort of church community.

When we are in this “down” spiritual injury situation (and we all have been there), we cannot allow ourselves to wander on this undirected plateau. We must choose to step out and seek spiritual “assessment” and “treatment” and be willing to subject ourselves to a healing situation.

There are certainly great books that can aid one in beginning to resurrect one’s faith. Some type of church community is also a viable option. There are other sick people there in the process of healing.

If you left church then, you are a different person now. Maybe you have changed; maybe church has changed or at least you might see it and hear it in a different and better way. 

Find a church. If I may suggest, use your common sense. Do not go to some MAGA church where a political figure is worshipped. Go somewhere that honors Jesus Christ and feasts on His love. Give it a try again.

Jim Nichols is a retired Abilene Christian University biology professor and current hospital chaplain