When the Church Is Silent, But God Is Not: Finding Comfort in Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18, ESV
There’s a particular kind of ache that comes when you finally speak up—hoping for help, honesty, or healing—only to be met with silence.
When the leaders you looked up to looked away.
When your pain was minimized.
When your questions felt too uncomfortable.
Maybe you didn’t walk away from God, but you stopped talking to people about what hurt—because it felt safer to suffer quietly than risk being dismissed again.
If that’s been part of your story, I want you to know: your ache matters. And your God never turns away.
David’s Story: Fear, Rejection, and the Nearness of God
Psalm 34 is David’s testimony of God’s faithfulness during a season of fear and instability. He was running for his life—rejected, misunderstood, desperate. And yet, in the midst of all that, he wrote the words of Psalm 34:18.
“The Lord is near…”
The Hebrew word used for “near” here implies more than just physical closeness. It speaks of attentiveness. God isn’t merely present—He is caring, invested, and engaged.
He doesn’t just show up.
He stays.
He enters the room of your pain.
He bends low enough to listen when no one else will.
God’s Character Is Constant—Even When People Fail
One of the most comforting truths of Scripture is that God’s character does not shift with our circumstances. Hebrews 13:8 reminds us that Jesus is “the same yesterday, today, and forever”—including in those moments when His people fall short of reflecting His love.
If the Church has ever felt silent in your suffering, hear this:
God never was.
His heart has always been turned toward you.
He heard the prayers you whispered through tears.
He saw the moments you wanted to give up.
When Your Faith Is Built on Christ
Let Psalm 34:18 anchor you again. Your faith was never meant to rest on people—but on Jesus.
He entered our brokenness to redeem it. He is the God who stays, even when others walk away.
You are not invisible to Him. You never were.
Even in the silence, God speaks:
“I see you. I’m still here.”
A Prayer for the Brokenhearted
Father, Thank You for being near. Thank You for not avoiding my pain or silencing my story. Where others turned away, You stayed. Heal the parts of me still carrying quiet hurt. Help me trust that Your voice is tender and true—even when others fall short. Amen.
Meet the Author
Kara Kistner
Kara is a writer, former therapeutic foster parent, and current advocate for the foster care system who creates space for women navigating faith in the harder places—church hurt, grief, transition, and spiritual healing. Her words are rooted in Scripture and steeped in honesty, gently guiding readers back to the goodness of God even when everything feels uncertain. Kara is passionate about helping others hold on to hope, honor their emotions, and rediscover Jesus outside of performance.
