Living in Christ After DivorceSample

Rejecting Fear

I am a Christian divorcee. When those words are spoken, they are often accompanied by a tornado of negative thoughts that try to swoop in and dominated every fiber of truth I can lay hold to. Leaving nothing behind but shame, guilt, and fear. 

Growing up in the church, Christian and Divorce was an oxymoron. They should not exist together, but now they did in my life,where did that put me? Was I still a Christian? Did Jesus die for broken marriages?  I never planned on divorce being part of my walk with Jesus, but when it became a part of my story I was left unsure and afraid of so many things. 

Fear of what others were thinking and saying about me. Fear of being a Christian divorcee. Fear that God was angry. Fear for my children and their future. Fear because my imperfect life and failed marriage was now on display for all to see. 

How would I fix this mess? 

Fear and control are always found together. When we are afraid, we try to get things under control and when we try to control, it’s because we are afraid. Neither leaves room for God and both give the illusion of progress. 

One day I heard an acronym for fear,  

F-alse 

E-vidence 

A-ppearing 

R-eal 

I remember hearing this and thinking of how perfectly well that acronym defined the fears that had consumed me before, during and after my divorce. 

Though fear and control were fighting for lordship over my life during my season of divorce and custody, a desire to hear the voice of God lead me to the truth. What was God saying about me and this difficult place I was in? Not the church, not the world, not my friends, not my ex-spouse, but God. 

As I began to ponder this question, these words came to mind,

“Nothing can separate you from the love of God (Romans 8:38 NLT)”

Looking back, these words were beautifully etched into every moment of that season that He walked me through. 

When the bible says that there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God, I would dare to believe, that means divorce too. Though we may have experienced a separation of love in our natural covenant relationship, what better time for God to declare over us His unfailing love for us in our heavenly one.   

Our mistakes and mess-ups do not disqualify us from our place as beloved children of God nor do they disqualify us from being called by God. Because of his love for us, and Jesus death on the cross,  we can enter into the throne room of grace and there we will find his goodness, mercy, and never-ending love available to us.

So, today I want you to declare to you that nothing can separate you from the love of God because without a doubt,you are still totally loved by Him!

Today’s Devotional written by Rachel Scott of Better Than Blended