I heard the glowing reports like everyone else. The Worldwide Church of God had changed almost overnight. Many on the outside were astonished. It happened so quickly. So quickly, indeed, that thousands left. They weren't told it had been a "cult." They weren't handled with care. They couldn't understand what was happening. Now they are out of reach...still in bondage.

"What are you doing out of the church?" someone calls to me. "Why don't you come back with your friends? See how good you'll feel since we're under grace now."

So I went back. After all, it was no longer a "cult." But when I told the minister about my hurt, he only responded, "We're under grace now. Be happy. Don't worry about anything else."

Then I replied, "Yes, but my hurt. What about my hurt? I sacrificed so much for so long. And what about the others? The marriages and relationships destroyed? The people who became poor? The ones who died? The striving, the guilt, the pain, the loss?"

"Forget about the past," he responded. "Don't even think about it."

"But my hurt. What about my hurt?" And I looked wearily and longingly to him for care and compassion.

But with strength in his voice, he only answered, "God accepted your sacrifices all those years. None of it was in vain. Look at the character you built!1 Now don't complain."

Then he smiled, as he handed me a small Band-Aid to cover my large, bleeding wound. And then I thought of the verse, "...They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace" (Jeremiah 6:14).

By D. W.
November 1995
Exit & Support Network™

Footnote:

1 "Building character" translated into our becoming more submissive to the government of the organization.

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