Faith Deconstruction & Finding God After Spiritual Abuse in the Church with David Ruybalid #025

Spiritually Unboxed

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I’m so excited to share this conversation with you. For the first time on the Spiritually Unboxed podcast, I welcomed a male guest—David Ruybalid, a trauma-informed pastor and a passionate advocate for those who have experienced religious trauma in the Christian church. We dove deep into topics that are so close to my heart: faith deconstruction, faith reconstruction, and the journey of learning to trust God again after a crisis of faith.

In this episode, David and I share our personal experiences of questioning and wrestling with faith. We talk openly about the complexities that come with faith deconstruction—how it feels to have your spiritual foundations shaken, and what it looks like to reconstruct a faith that is more honest and in alignment with God's loving nature. David’s perspective is full of empathy and wisdom. He has a unique way of understanding the journey of those who have faced spiritual abuse and the profound impact it can have on one’s relationship with God.

David also opens up about the harsh realities of religious trauma, including spiritual and even sexual abuse within church communities, and how these experiences can shatter your sense of self and your faith. We explore what it means to walk through that trauma with grace and find a way to heal—honoring both the pain and the potential for growth.

This conversation is about finding hope in the process of faith reconstruction. David and I create a safe space to talk about the hard stuff—the doubt, the anger, the heartbreak—but also the hope and renewal that can come from rebuilding a relationship with God that is truly your own.

I hope this episode encourages you to see that you’re not alone in your journey. Faith deconstruction isn’t the end; it can be the beginning of something more real and fulfilling. David’s insights provide a path forward, inviting you to reconnect with your faith in a way that feels authentic, grounded, and empowering.

So, if you’ve ever found yourself in a crisis of faith, questioning your beliefs, or feeling disconnected from God, I know this conversation will resonate with you. It’s a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of love, even in the face of unimaginable pain.

Join us as we dive into these topics with vulnerability and authenticity—because your spiritual journey deserves to be seen, heard, and honored.

Listen now, and let’s take this journey together.

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David Ruybalid, a trauma-informed pastor and dedicated advocate, addresses religious trauma within the church through various mediums such as written works, speaking engagements, and podcast appearances. Specializing in guiding victims toward healing, he emphasizes resilience and recovery from the adverse effects of religious trauma and abusive experiences in religious settings. David accomplishes this by highlighting Jesus and illustrating how abuse in a Christian environment deviates from Jesus's heart.
http://www.davidruybalid.com
https://www.instagram.com/david_ruybalid/

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