People and Pain

I've been a pastor going on eight years now and I know I still have much to learn about how to lead God's people. In my interaction and observation of people I've come to the conclusion that something in our fallen nature loves to either inflict or sometimes even be the recipient of emotional pain. Yes, people like to hurt each other, even in the church. There are times when a situation may be misunderstood and a person gets their feelings hurt completely without intension. It's the aftermath of the situation that proves my point. When emotions are running high instead of defusing them, and every individual has the capability of controlling their own emotions, we carry them to the fullest extent, their maximum capacity, right down to kicking and screaming. I guess we feel that if we have to hurt, someone else is going to hurt also. However there is one major problem with us reacting in such a way as this. It does not exemplify the person and the character of Jesus, complaining, arguing and hurting each other are simply not Christ like characteristics.
I love being a pastor and with the strength and teaching of God's Holy Spirit I welcome the challenges of the position and this one truly is a challenge. People leave churches, quit ministries, and even give up on God and each other because of there inability to keep their own emotions in check! What are we thinking?..... Truth be told we are not thinking at all, God made us in His image and gave us ability to reason things out, He loves us so much and He has proven Himself to us over and over again, God's hand is on us and He will never leave us or forsake us. He loves His church and gave Himself for it! If Jesus was crucified for the church doesn't it stand to reason that we should be able to endure a little pain for His church so that we may see His great commission carried out! Isn't that much more important than anything on our emotional agenda?
I will leave you with a verse of scripture that if we live by it, this will never be problem again. After all, application of God's word is the paramount duty of every Christian. Galatians 2:20 For I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live,but Jesus Christ lives in me;and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who gave Himself for me.