In the decades after the war, there were Jews who could not bear to hear the German language.
Some people were so traumatised as children that they never want to marry. Some become homosexuals; others live in de-facto relationships. Others run away as teenagers and become homeless.
There are also many Christians who are so manipulated and disrespected in churches that they often feel threatened in church services.
God has given us homeland, family, marriage and church, but when these gifts of God are corrupted by lust for power, there are countless victims who find life unbearable.
My wife and I were in a wonderful church for about ten years. Many loved God with a good heart. Many reached out to people on the streets.
Everyone was welcome: homeless, witches, prostitutes, it didn't matter.
Some New Age people came to seek God, others came to practice witchcraft against us, but the Christians prayed with power and authority so that the devil could not gain the upper hand.
Such a situation can become chaotic. There are some communities where the leaders are harsh rulers, perhaps out of greed for power, or perhaps out of fear of chaos.
Our pastor often said it was easer for him to control people than to lead free people, but he was determined to respect everybody's freedom.
Paul also believed in freedom. He was extremely critical of preachers who wanted to rule harshly. He told the Christians in Corinth not to submit to such leadership.
You put up with it when someone enslaves you, takes everything you have, takes advantage of you, takes control of everything, and slaps you in the face. 2 Corinthians 11:20 NLT
Paul not only criticised the arrogant preachers for their cruelty, but also submissive Christians, for their obedience.
Cruel abuse of authority wreaks havoc. Many women and men want nothing more to do with God or the church because of severe Christian parents, teachers or preachers.
A good preacher told how she was out on the streets proselytising among prostitutes. Quite a few young women on the street came from devout Christian families.
How can we win the traumatised victims for Jesus?
Our role model is Jesus. He preached very hard against the sins of the arrogant religious leaders, but he was gentle and kind with the despised sinners.
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.” ’ Luke 7:34 NIV84
Are you yourself badly hurt, rejected and traumatised? Do you need to submit again to escape God's judgement? Many wrestle with such terrifying thoughts.
God's ways for you are quite different. He wants to welcome you kindly and help you with gentleness.
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