When Christians Hurt You: How to Move Through Pain and Betrayal into Deeper Intimacy with God

Is it really possible to heal after another Christian betrays you? Is it possible to trust God again?

You've been betrayed--and it hurts. Your pastor had an affair. A Christian friend revealed what you shared in confidence. A Christian friendship abruptly ended. Your Christian parents filed for divorce. A Christian mentor told you about their secret life. There's nothing like being hurt by someone close to you--especially when they are a Christian. How can you keep going to church when Christians betray you?

As a bestselling author and international speaker, Esther Fleece Allen has shared boardrooms, platforms, stages, and widely publicized ministry events with some of the most recognized Bible teachers in evangelicalism--and she's witnessed personal and professional betrayals over and over.

But Esther has learned that it is possible to feel hope again. It is possible to feel the assurance and joy in the Christian faith that you used to feel.

In When Christians Hurt You, Esther demonstrates that the Bible is filled with examples of how to move beyond pain and betrayal. As Esther walks through biblical stories of betrayal, you will discover:

• You are not alone in your pain, loneliness, shock, and abandonment • Guidance about how to address the emotions that come with betrayal • Hope-focused biblical teaching on lament, forgiveness, reconciliation, and moving forward in faith • Biblical action steps based on the ways Jesus and the disciples moved forward after betrayal • A renewed sense of trust in God and hope that you can trust others again too

Betrayal is searing, but God hasn't left you without balm for the pain. Betrayal is an invitation to intimacy with Jesus. When Christians Hurt You will equip you to move forward in love and experience hope and joy in your faith again.

© 2027 Zondervan (Audiobook): 9780310370062

Release date

Audiobook: 21 September 2027