What if God is Kinder Than You were Taught? A New Look at Holiness After Spiritual Abuse

What if the holiness of God wasn’t something to fear—but a doorway to peace? In this episode of When Church Hurts, Melodi Kitzmiller explores the opening words of the Lord’s Prayer, “Hallowed be Thy name,” and how understanding God’s holiness through the lens of goodness, faithfulness, and kindness—not wrath—can transform our healing journey. You’ll hear biblical reflections on Jesus’ gentle responses to the Samaritan woman and the woman caught in adultery, contrasted with how legalistic pastors often weaponize holiness to instill fear and control. Melodi also shares powerful insights from narrative trauma therapy, offering a simple exercise to help you process church hurt in a healing way. This episode is a must-listen for anyone healing from spiritual abuse, untangling fear-based theology, or longing to see God as He truly is: faithful, tender, and good. Keywords: spiritual abuse, religious trauma, legalism, Lord’s Prayer, holiness of God, Jesus and the woman at the well, Christian therapy, narrative trauma therapy, faith deconstruction, Christian mental health 🔗 For more resources or to connect with Melodi, visit MelodiKitzmiller.com 🎧 Subscribe, leave a review, or share this episode to help more women find freedom and peace after church hurt.