Finding Peace in Church Again: The Secret I Wish I’d Known Sooner

Written By Melodi Kitzmiller

How to Find a Healthy Church After Spiritual Abuse

If you've experienced spiritual abuse or been hurt by a legalistic or controlling church, finding a healthy place to worship again can feel overwhelming. The fear of being re-wounded, the trauma responses that surface during Sunday services, and the challenge of discerning what’s truly “safe” can make the search feel impossible.

But healing is possible—and so is hope. In this post, we’ll explore how to find a healthy church using the biblical framework found in James 3:17. This simple yet powerful verse outlines seven qualities of godly wisdom—qualities every church should reflect: purity, peace, gentleness, openness, mercy, fruitfulness, and sincerity.

Whether you're starting over after church hurt or trying to rebuild your faith community, these biblical principles can guide you toward a place of safety, peace, and spiritual growth. Read the entire article here.

Melodi Kitzmiller

Christian mental health coaching, and teaching how to live well after experiencing traumatic events, which may include suffering from anxiety, post-trauma symptoms, and depression, and aren’t sure where to go from here. Melodi holds a master of arts in trauma and crisis counseling and works from a Christian worldview. She has helped adults who have suffered traumatic childhoods, spiritual abuse, childhood sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, and those who are simply searching to find the fulfillment that a life of well-being can bring.

https://MelodiKitzmiller.com
Next

When Belonging Comes with Rules: The Hidden Loneliness of Conservative Churches