The church must do more to intentionally become a safe space for women and children to come forward about abuse. God’s people have a duty to ensure that His house is a place where the harmed and afflicted are embraced, not silenced. Safety is not optional in the body of Christ — it is part of our witness.
Scripture:
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” — Psalm 82:3 (NIV)
Living Parable:
Imagine walking into a hospital where the sick are turned away at the door. It looks beautiful on the outside, but inside, the hurting are told to keep quiet or hide their wounds. That is not healing — that is betrayal. The church was never meant to be a place of denial but a sanctuary where the afflicted find balm, rest, and restoration.
Women and children should be able to come forward without fear of blame or rejection, finding themselves surrounded by a congregation ready to protect, listen, and lift them up. A church that embraces the harmed reflects the heart of Christ Himself — the One who touched the untouchable and welcomed the outcast.
Future Study Prompt:
Read Isaiah 61:1–3. Reflect: How can my faith community move from silence to safety? What practical steps can we take to ensure that women and children experience the church as a true refuge?
