This is something I wish every pastor, Bible teacher, and church congregation was sensitive to.
In the same way that emotional, physical, or sexual abuse can impact the ability of a person to form healthy relationships in the future, so can spiritual abuse (eg. rigid church cultures, legalism, etc) impact a believer's ability to form healthy relationships with the Father.
"Woe to you [modern day] scribes and Pharisees..." - Matt 23
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
James 3:1
Our Father in Heaven knows how to approach the abused and brokenhearted.
A bruised reed He will not break
and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish.
In faithfulness He will bring forth justice.Isaiah 42:3
