Maybe you’ve experienced judgement instead of grace.

Maybe you trusted someone in church leadership, and they let you down.

Maybe you walked into a church hoping for love—and left with pain.

If that’s your story, I’m so sorry.

You’re not alone. And your pain is real.

Jesus Cares About the Hurt You’ve Carried

The first thing to know is this: Jesus sees you. He knows the wound. And He cares.

He never dismisses your pain. In fact, He often defended and comforted those who were pushed aside by religious people.

“He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle.”

—Matthew 12:20 (NLT)

Jesus is gentle with the broken. If you’ve been hurt by people in the church, He’s not standing with them—He’s standing with you.

The Church Isn’t Perfect—But Jesus Is

Church is made up of imperfect people. That doesn’t excuse the pain or the wrongs that have been done, but it helps us see that Jesus and church people aren’t the same.

Don’t confuse someone’s failure with who God is. The church may have let you down, but Jesus never will.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

—Hebrews 13:8 (NLT)

Healing Takes Time—and Trust

If you’ve been hurt, don’t rush your healing. Let God meet you in the pain. Let Him speak truth where lies may have taken root.

And when you’re ready—try again. Not every church is the same. There are places filled with grace, love, and genuine people who will walk with you.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”

—Psalm 34:18 (NLT)

Final Thought

If you’ve been hurt by the church, God doesn’t want that pain to push you away from Him.

He wants to heal it.

He wants to show you who He really is.

And He wants to lead you into a new kind of community—one marked by grace, not shame.

Jesus still loves His Church. And He still loves you.