As published in Carolina Compass newspaper
Things will always come our way that we necessarily would rather they didn’t; divorce is one of those. When that happens, you must prepare, not just financially and legally but spiritual preparation is a must. Ephesians 6:13, “Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will be standing firm.”
During your divorce you will be tempted to ‘even the score’. That mindset is the Devil taking advantage of a bad situation. Stand firm by the power of prayer and no matter what your soon to be ex-spouse does, turn the other cheek and divorce the Christian way. If you have called yourself a Christian pre-divorce, than be one during the divorce. Keep these things in mind:
Respect your spouse even if you feel he/she doesn’t respect you. Honor that he/she is the father/mother of your children. Continue to pray for him/her. Give him/her what he/she rightfully deserves from the marriage. Don’t try to turn the children against him/her. Forgive and don’t harden your heart. Matthew 6:14-15, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Let go and move on in peace. Philippians 3:13, “Forgetting those things which are behind so you can reach forward to those things which are ahead.” And know that God sees all and vengeance is his. Romans 12:19, “Beloved never avenge yourselves but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
Remember, not only will your ex-spouse be held accountable for how he/she treats you, but you will as well. “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”- Hebrews 4:13
Don’t get caught up in today’s picture of intense hurt and betrayal. Look at the bigger picture God has for you. The person who has wronged you will have to face God; he/she will not escape the consequences of their actions. There is only so much we as humans can do. When someone has hurt us beyond what we ever thought possible, we are filled with so many negative, hurtful emotions. Those emotions will destroy your happiness and eat away at your soul. Sometimes, the hurt is so great that no amount of self-help books or therapy seems to work to erase them. There is only one way and that is to go to God and lay your burdens at His feet. As much as you would like to think that you are Super Man or Wonder Woman, you only have so much strength and the rest has to come from God.
It all works out in the end as long as you believe and trust that God will make the crooked paths straight and will not let you fall. Luke 21:19, “Stand Firm and you will win life.”