When You’re Broken and the Church Can’t Help: Finding Hope When Faith Feels Not Enough
What do you do when you’re shattered, and the people who were supposed to help only make it worse?
Where do you turn when the church you trusted taught you a version of faith that never really anchored you to Christ?
Many of us have been there—so broken we didn’t know where to go or who to trust. We sat in church services chasing spiritual hype, believing that if we could just muster enough faith, our lives would finally change.
But nothing changed.
And after a while, you start to wonder:
Is there something wrong with me?
Is my faith too small?
Did God forget about me?
If you’ve been taught that God is a vending machine—press the right button, say the right prayer, sow the right seed—and you’ll get the life you want, it makes sense that you feel disillusioned. That is not biblical Christianity.
The truth is, faith isn’t about hype. It isn’t about performing. It isn’t about pretending you’re okay when you’re dying inside.
Faith is trusting the One who is enough, even when you are not.
Questions for Reflection:
Have I confused emotional highs with genuine spiritual growth?
In what ways have broken theology and empty promises shaped how I see God?
What would it look like to bring my honest questions and wounds to Him instead of hiding behind performance?
Am I willing to let go of chasing hype and start resting in the sufficiency of Christ alone?
Scripture says:
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
— Psalm 34:18
God is not repelled by your brokenness. He is not disappointed in your questions. He does not expect you to fix yourself before coming to Him.
A Prayer for the Weary and Disillusioned
Father, I don’t even know how to come to You anymore. I feel betrayed, confused, and so tired of chasing something that never satisfies. Teach me what is true. Help me see You as You are, not as I’ve been taught. Heal what is broken in me, and remind me that Your grace is enough even here. In Jesus’ name, Amen.