What to Do When You Love Jesus, But You Struggle with the Church

 I need you to know this right up front: you’re not the only one who loves Jesus but feels conflicted about the Church. If that’s where you are right now, I want you to know that your love for God is real—and your struggles are, too.

Maybe you’ve been hurt by someone inside the Church. Maybe you’ve seen hypocrisy up close. Or maybe you just feel like you’ll never fit the mold of what a “good Catholic” is supposed to be. Whatever your reason, I want you to know this: Jesus isn’t scared off by your questions. And neither am I.

The Church is a Hospital, Not a Hall of Fame

It’s a cliché because it’s true—the Church is made up of broken people, and sometimes broken people hurt others. That doesn’t make the hurt okay. It does mean the Church’s holiness doesn’t come from us—it comes from Jesus.

There’s a lot of beauty in Catholicism, but there’s also a lot of mess. If you’re wrestling with that mess, it doesn’t mean your faith is weak. It means you care.

Loving Jesus Doesn’t Require Denying Your Pain

You don’t have to pretend everything is fine to stay in the Church. Real love makes space for honesty.

You can sit with Jesus in the quiet of Adoration and say, “I love You, but I’m angry at what I’ve seen.” You can say, “I believe in You, but I feel lost in Your Church.” Those prayers count.

Remember Who Called You First

Before you knew doctrine or memorized prayers, Jesus called you by name. Your relationship with Him started before you ever stepped inside a parish—and it’s not dependent on anyone else’s perfection.

Even if priests fail you. Even if fellow Catholics judge you. Your love story with Jesus stands.

Faith is a Relationship, Not a Report Card

You’re not graded on how seamlessly you fit into Church culture. Your faith is not a performance. It’s a relationship—sometimes beautiful, sometimes messy—and you’re allowed to show up just as you are.

If You Need Space, Take It—But Stay in the Conversation

Sometimes healing requires stepping back. That doesn’t make you a bad Catholic. Take the time you need—but stay in conversation with God while you’re sorting it out.

That might mean praying at home for a season. Or going to Mass but skipping the after-Mass donuts. Or reading Scripture instead of arguing online.

Find the Good

Even when the Church’s human side disappoints you, the treasures of the faith remain. The Eucharist. The sacraments. The Communion of Saints. The sheer mystery of God drawing near in ways we can touch.

If you can, find one piece of beauty to hold onto while you heal.

You’re Not Alone

I promise you, countless Catholics are walking this same road—learning how to love Jesus inside a Church that sometimes breaks their hearts.

I’m not here to sugarcoat anything. But I am here to say: you belong, even if you’re struggling. Your love for Jesus is real. Your hurt is real. And there’s room for all of it here.

Want honest conversations about faith that make space for both love and struggle? Follow Converting to Hope for more real talk about walking with God—questions, doubts, and all.