Sometimes a person does not walk away from faith because they have stopped believing in God. Sometimes they are simply hurt.
Over the years, as a pastor’s wife and through many years of serving alongside God’s people, I have seen people become discouraged and distance themselves from church. Sadly, sometimes that hurt has even come from other Christians.
Maybe you know someone like that. Maybe she once faithfully attended church. She prayed. She read her Bible. She loved the Lord. But somewhere along the way, something happened. Someone disappointed her. Someone hurt her. Life became difficult. Little by little, she found herself farther away from church and from the daily walk with God she once knew.
For the sake of this article, let’s call her Grace.
If you love a Grace in your life, you may be wondering: What can I give her that will genuinely encourage her without making her feel judged or pressured?
I believe one of the most meaningful gifts you can give someone returning to faith is something that gently puts God’s Word back in front of her every day. Not to preach at her. Not to remind her of where she has failed. But to remind her of Who has never left her.
Before Choosing a Gift, Remember What She May Be Carrying
When someone has been away from church, we don’t always know everything that happened. There may be disappointment, embarrassment, guilt, loneliness, or hurt beneath the surface. This is why I believe a gift for someone returning to faith should be chosen with tenderness.
Our job is not to fix her. Our job is to love her and point her toward the One who can. The Lord Jesus Christ has not changed because another Christian disappointed us. Hebrews 13:8 says: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” That is where I would encourage someone who has been hurt to begin. Look back to Jesus.
Go Back to the Benchmark
When someone tells me she wants to return to church or become close to God again, I believe one of the first things she should do is go back to the benchmark. Go back in your mind to the day you were saved. Remember the day you received Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour. Think about what God did for you that day. Remember how your heart felt. Remember the change He made in you.
The mistakes of another person cannot undo what Jesus Christ did for you. Your disappointments cannot undo it. The years you have spent away cannot undo it. If you belong to Christ, start by remembering your Saviour.
Keep Your Eyes on Jesus, Not People
One of my favorite pictures of this truth is found in Matthew 14 (KJV). Peter saw Jesus walking on the water and stepped out of the ship to go to Him. For a moment, Peter did the impossible. But then he began looking at what was happening around him and started to sink.
As long as our eyes are fixed upon the Lord, we remember where our strength comes from. But when our attention becomes consumed with people, circumstances, disappointments, and hurts, we can begin to sink. People will fail us. Jesus will not.
Why Scripture Gifts Can Help Someone Return to Faith
At Kinsman & Company, we put King James Version Scripture on everyday items because I believe there is something powerful about keeping God’s Word before our eyes. A Scripture gift is not a replacement for the Bible, for prayer, or for being faithful to a local church. Instead, it can be a small daily reminder — a Bible case she picks up before church, a tumbler she reaches for in the morning, a notebook sitting beside her Bible. Each one can quietly put God’s Word in front of her again.
A Gift for When She Cannot See the Road Ahead
One gift I would especially consider for Grace features Hebrews 11:1 (KJV): “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” What a fitting Scripture for someone finding her way back. We will not always be able to see the path directly in front of us. Sometimes we simply have to seek Him and trust Him with the next step.
A Gift to Remind Her Where Her Strength Comes From
Another beautiful choice features Psalm 28:7: “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped.” I especially love this message for someone returning to her faith because she may feel as though she needs to become strong enough before she comes back. She doesn’t. We don’t have to be strong in our own might. He is our strength.
The First Step I Would Encourage Her to Take
If Grace were sitting across the table from me and asked, “What should I actually do first?” my answer would be simple: Go back to church.
Hebrews 10:25 (KJV) tells us: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another.” Don’t go back because Christians are perfect. They aren’t. Go back because Christ is worthy.
Then Begin Rebuilding Your Daily Walk With God
Returning to church is important, but our relationship with the Lord cannot exist only on Sunday. Begin simply. Open God’s Word every day. Read it and allow Him to speak to your heart. Pray and bring your supplications before Him. Keep coming back tomorrow.
And Don’t Forget Forgiveness
If someone hurt you, you may have carried that hurt for a long time. But holding onto yesterday’s hurt does not change yesterday. It only allows yesterday to keep reaching into today. Jesus taught Peter about forgiveness in Matthew 18:21–22: “I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” Forgiveness means we refuse to allow that hurt to keep us separated from the fellowship, growth, joy, and grace God desires for us. Give it to the Lord. Let it go. And keep walking with Him.
What I Have Seen Through the Years
Through the years, I have seen people return many times. God is a forgiving God. There is a beautiful picture of this in Luke 15 (KJV), when the prodigal son finally decides to return to his father. Luke 15:20 says: “And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion.” He came home. And his father received him. You may be surprised to discover how many people are simply glad to see you walk back through those church doors.
Just Come Home
Go back to the benchmark. Remember the day Jesus Christ saved you. Put your eyes back on Him. Open your Bible. Talk to Him. Forgive. Find your way back to a Bible-believing local church and begin growing again.
God’s Word has not changed. His promises have not changed. His love has not changed. Aren’t you tired? Just come home.
King James Scripture Gifts from Kinsman & Company
If you are looking for a meaningful gift for someone returning to faith, our Green Bible Case Gift Set for Women | King James features Hebrews 11:1 — a beautiful reminder to keep trusting Him. Our Purple Religious Gift Set for Women | King James features Psalm 28:7 — a powerful reminder that He is our strength and our shield.
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