Rise Up Despite Divorce

Is it possible to rise up despite divorce? Whether divorce has impacted our own marriage or that of someone we care about, Kori provides us all with some encouraging truth in today’s Monday Minute.

Is God Still Good Despite Divorce?

by Kori Yates

The summer I turned twenty-four, I met him. A young servicemember who lived a life of adventure, we had a fabulous summer teaching kids to rock climb, ride horses, and hike through the trails of the Texas Hill Country while he was home on leave. We married in December. Weeks later the military sent him from his duty station in Hawaii back to Texas on compassionate reassignment to help care for his dad.

The next few months, I started to get a picture of what life would look like. My job at camp was Program Director, which means I planned and executed all events and activities for groups visiting camp. Great job until the guy you’re married to is certain he can do it all better. I would finish every weekend almost in tears because of the “help” I was receiving from my new husband. My boss eventually stepped in to remind my husband the job was mine not his.

Later, we returned to Hawaii, found a church home, and started to figure out military life. Our marriage did not get better. Outside, we attended church, getting actively involved. Inside, life was hard.

The next few years the intimidation and belittling continued, with infidelity added to the mix. As a Christian woman, I wrestled with questions about how long I was expected to walk this road, with whom to share, and if God could really fix it. After almost six years of marriage, three moves, and one deployment, I came home to find him gone, along with the things he wanted. He left a farewell note on the bed and $200, since he had cleaned out our bank accounts.

What does God’s Word say when divorce is unavoidable?

Scripture says, “For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” Is this still true for me? Is this still true now? These are questions I had.

Standing in my house, I felt relief, fear, uncertainty, and grief. The emotions rolled around in my heart with no place to land. Two friends from church immediately came over. We knelt in the middle of my living room to seek God.

What started as a grand adventure ended in divorce. Walking through that season was the hardest of my life, but what I want to share with you is so much more.

God is still good. His Word is still true.

If you’re wrestling with similar circumstances in your marriage, I want you to hear me loud and clear here. Standing on the other side of hard, I promise God is good. He is a redeemer in ways I never understood. If marriage is hard today, do these things with your whole heart. God is faithful.

Rise Up

Seek God – Matthew 6:33 tells us to “seek first the kingdom of God.” Looking for wisdom? Hope? Help? Seek HIM first.
Get Counsel – Proverbs 28:26 says, “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool.” Emotions can cloud our judgement. Find godly, wise counselors.
Rest – Psalm 91:1 reminds us to dwell “in the shelter of the Most High.” Rest in who God is and what He says.

Prayer

Lord, you are good. I trust you and trust your Word. Give me strength, wisdom, and hope even today as I seek out your will and bring others to walk with me and point me back to you. Amen