I am in touch with lots of people who have been excommunicated from their church. I don’t have to tell them that, in most cases, it is for the best. Sometimes it’s easier when you don’t have to make the difficult decision to leave an abusive, codependent, or superficial relationship. But it is still painful for many when the decision is made for them that they can no longer fellowship with certain people, some of whom they love.
I sometimes compare it to smoking: even though it is very unhealthy for you and can kill you, it’s still hurts when you quit.