14 Encouraging Verses to Give Abuse Survivors Hope

1. Psalm 10:14

But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.

2. Isaiah 54:14

In righteousness you will be established: Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear. Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you.

When it feels like no one else really knows or understands what has gone on behind closed doors, God knows. He has seen and felt what you’ve been through and cares about you. His heart broke when you were abused and mistreated. Not only does He know the truth of your situation, but He also has taken your grief into His hand.

Abuse is a form of oppression, which God hates. He wants us to live free from fear and oppression. He is by your side and wants to help you.

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3. John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

4. 1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Survivors of domestic abuse often suffer from anxiety, insomnia, and PTSD symptoms such as panic attacks and disturbing flashbacks of the abuse. Counseling and support groups can help ease these symptoms, but our counselor and group members can’t be with us every moment of the day. The Holy Spirit is always with us. Meditate on these verses to remember that with God, whose love is perfect, there is no fear. Remember that he wants peace for you, not anxiety.

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5. Psalm 77:19

Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.

6. Hebrews 10:23

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

When you’ve been abused, it can be more challenging to truly put your faith in God. It’s not unusual to wonder where God was when you were being abused. Yet, when we put our hope in Him, He is faithful to make a way for us. Often survivors of domestic abuse are embarking on a new life. You may have had to move, start a new job, and seek out resources for legal and financial assistance. Or perhaps your living situation hasn’t changed, but you’ve recently started counseling and wonder if things can ever get better.

Just as God parted the Red Sea for the Israelites, He will make a way for you — a way to healing, safety, and new life. Often, He does this through other people. Which brings us to our next verses.

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7. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

8. Hebrews 10:24-25

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

One of the most important things you can do if you have been in an abusive relationship is to find a community of believers. It can be hard to do this, whether you currently go to church, haven’t been in a long time, or are just now starting on your Christian walk. But if you’ll let yourself be known, you’re likely to find there are many people who want to pray for and help you. Emotional support is vital when recovering from domestic abuse. There are also non-profit, Bible-based groups online and in local communities. An online resource is listed at the end of this article.

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9. Hebrews 10:39 

But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

10. Romans 5:3-5

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

The trials of domestic abuse survivors can take many forms, from practical to emotional. It can include court battles, fighting the urge to return to an abusive relationship, financial hardships or doing the hard work of emotional healing.

All of these challenges require perseverance. God is pleased when we don’t shrink back in fear and instead persevere through our faith in Him. Each forward step we take builds our faith muscles, making each subsequent challenge a little easier. Keep going and know that God is cheering you on.

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11. Job 42:10

After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.

12. Mark 11:25

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

Eventually, your healing from domestic abuse will mean forgiveness. This doesn’t mean restoring a toxic relationship or making light of or dismissing what you endured. The abuser must be held accountable. Proverbs 19:19 says a hot-tempered man must pay the penalty — if you rescue him, you have to do it again.

What forgiveness does mean is giving both your past and the person who abused you over to God to deal with, and you no longer carry the weight of anger and unforgiveness in your heart. It’s not easy, but with God it’s possible and life changing.

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13. Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

14. Psalm 37:4

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Being a victim of domestic abuse doesn’t define you. God does. He says you are loved and cherished. He says you have a hope and a future.

No one ever plans on being a victim of domestic abuse. Let God help you create dreams of a new future free from the oppression you’ve suffered. While following Him may not always be easy, He wants to give you the desires of your heart.

Let these verses dwell in your mind and heart. Use them to fight against fear and depression, hopelessness and anxiety. Remember them when you are taunted by your abuser or feel misunderstood by others who have not walked in your shoes. When we turn to the word of God and his promises, we can be assured that He is with us, for us, and that his unfailing love will see us through the trials of recovering from domestic abuse.

You can find more information and resources for domestic abuse survivors through Abuse Recovery Ministry Services.

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Melanie Campbell is the author of One Woman Falling, a contemporary Christian fiction novel and finalist for the Selah award. Melanie wrote One Woman Falling based partly on her own experience as a survivor of domestic abuse. In addition to writing, she is also passionate about social issues and holds a degree in Sociology from the University of Oregon, which she obtained during her stint as a single-mom. She’s now married and lives in Oregon’s beautiful Willamette Valley with her husband, their three children, and several spoiled pets. Visit melaniejcampbell.com to learn more about Melanie’s writing, including One Woman Falling which is the first book in her Whispers of Grace series. You can also sign up for her newsletter and learn about her next novel, One Way Home, scheduled for release November 1, 2020. You can purchase One Woman Falling on Amazon here.