Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
Have you ever been hurt by a church?
Daniel used to love church. But after church leaders ignored repeated reports of moral failure and abuse, his trust shattered. Now, even passing a church building makes his chest tighten. He still loves God, but rebuilding trust in church feels like climbing a mountain.
If that’s you, your hesitancy is valid. Jesus doesn’t ask His followers to stay in abusive environments. He spoke out against religious systems marked by pride and hypocrisy. But Jesus also calls us into the work of real community—relationships marked by grace, honesty, accountability, and love. Healthy fellowship doesn’t avoid hard truths; it handles them with gentleness and integrity.
It’s been said that “Community is where humility and forgiveness blossom, and where God’s presence can turn our fear into joy.”[1] Scripture teaches us to “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). So real community isn’t about avoiding tension or retreating into isolation with other wounded people. It’s about learning to forgive, to speak truth in love, and to carry each other’s burdens through both sorrow and celebration.
Hurt people who reconnect with trustworthy communities often heal more deeply and regain hope faster than those who stay isolated.[2] If you’re rebuilding, start small. Pray with a trusted friend. Ask God to lead you to other Christ-followers that worship together with humility and grace.
[1] Nouwen, Henri J. M. Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World. New York: Crossroad, 1992.
[2] Kawachi, Ichiro, and Lisa F. Berkman. Social Relationships and Health. In Social Epidemiology, edited by Lisa F. Berkman, Ichiro Kawachi, and M. Maria Glymour, 2nd ed., 255–276. New York: Oxford University Press, 2014.
