PTSD and the Church: A Pastor’s Perspective

If I were to hazard a guess as to why so many have left the church as a whole, it would be because of some things like this.
True, some of us have not seen a whole lot of physical combat, but with the way many believers have treated many of us in the church, the symptoms are similar.
Deep friendships, sharing spiritual foxholes, loyalty that runs years-and-decades-deep, and tender affection that is marred by horrible and nasty memories.
I myself have barely stayed in the church, and issues like PTSD make it and friendships harder, but I am grateful to have a number of friends whom I can share my loyalty with.
Many-if not most-of y’all have left the institutional church, and as a pastor, it grieves me that stuff like this has happened.
And, if you will note, the garb Obi-Wan wears when he meets Luke is eerily similar to that which he wore in the battle he and Qui-Gonn had with Darth Maul.
So, to those still in the church, I counsel you, do not take for granted where you are, and do not speak disparagingly of those who are no longer part of the church but still believers.
Sometimes, the wounds are deeper or more complex than just mere offense.
Some of us have been shot at in ways that are unheard-of within the church, and the subject and nature of our wounds are not fixed with a silver-bullet.
So, next time you wonder why someone acts as strangely as they do, know that it may not be an easily-found single reason that can be fixed by rattling off a bible verse.
Many of us are emotional widows and orphaned.
Grateful for the friends that have walked with me through this, and at the top of that list is Pam, my wife.