Divorce is a word no Christian ever anticipates when they get married. I was married for nearly 15 years when I went through my divorce. Prior to the divorce, I kept more to myself outside of the church. I definitely felt going through a divorce would strain many relationships with others, but it ultimately had the opposite effect. I knew I needed to reach out to others for support. Through that, I grew closer to several men in my current Connect Group. What I anticipated to be an issue in relationships with others turned out to be a blessing to me to have these men to lean on. So often (myself included) we try to solve our problems or issues on our own. I would say I was fearful to tell my parents and family that divorce was possible, but each one was supportive in being there for me. Any other year, I would have felt God was far away. But, the year of my divorce, I felt closer to Him. A few months before this all happened, I had one New Year's Resolution. I resolved to read the Bible through in a year, as well as read the commentary about the passage. It would have been easy to skip that resolution, but I kept on. Being in God’s Word daily provided wisdom and comfort through this difficult situation. After I was divorced in 2019, I prayed that God could use my story to help someone else in this situation. I had that opportunity in early 2020. It didn't end as I had hoped for him, and I shied away from asking God to use my story until about a week before writing this. I had asked God to make me ready to share if the opportunity arose again. I have learned no matter what one is going through, you're never alone. So many others are going through, or have gone through, what you are dealing with. And, no matter what, you need to lean on the Lord to get you through whatever Chaos you have! He is with Me. There is a steadfast truth that resonates within the depths of our souls: "Immanuel" - God with us. It is a divine promise that reminds us that we are never alone, for the Almighty Creator walks beside us every step of the way. In Isaiah 41:10, the Lord reassures us, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." When we feel weak and burdened, His presence lifts us up, fills us with courage, and strengthens our spirit. Yet, as we journey through life, we encounter moments when the weight of the world seems too heavy to bear. It is during these times that God, in His infinite wisdom, provides us with another blessing - the church family. In Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, it is written, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up." God never intended for us to do life alone. Our church family is a beautiful reflection of God's love and care for us. They walk alongside us in both good times and bad, offering encouragement, support, and genuine companionship. They provide a listening ear and a helping hand when we face challenges, and they share in our joys, multiplying our happiness. We see God in our church family. When we gather together, united in faith, we experience the powerful presence of Immanuel in our midst. In Matthew 18:20, Jesus assures us, "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." Our unity in Christ strengthens the bond among us and reinforces the truth that we are part of a loving and compassionate community. Through God's unwavering presence and the love of our church family, we find the courage to face life's trials. With each step we take, we are confident that we are never alone, for Immanuel walks with us, holding us in His embrace. Let us, therefore, cherish the gift of God's presence and the blessing of our church family. Together, we can overcome any obstacle, find solace in times of sorrow, and celebrate the victories with hearts full of gratitude. In this journey called life, we are united by the promise of Immanuel, and as we walk hand in hand, we find strength, hope, and joy in His eternal presence. Comments are closed.
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He is our PEACE. {Stephanie Forbes' Story} He is our REFUGE. {Jan Owen's Story} He is our PROVIDER {Darrell Bryant Story} He is our COMPASSION {Carol Bryant's Story} He is ABLE. {Sandee DePriest's Story} He is GOOD {Ashton Rost's Story} He is PRESENT while we wait. {Anonymous} He is our SOURCE OF STRENGTH. {Bruce Helsley's Story} He is our STRONG TOWER. {Adisyn Gray's Story} He is our LIGHT. {Gage Miers' Story} He is our WAYMAKER {Ashlee Miers' Story} He is our ALPAH and OMEGA. {Don & Barb Calton's Story} He is CARING. {Anonymous} He is WITH ME. {Robbie Tackett's Story} He is my DELIVER. {Julie Long's Story} He is TRUSTWORTHY. {Rob Schad} He is My REDEEMER. {Chris Wilson} He is My HELP. (Angela Maddox} He is SOVEREIGN {Anonymous} He is our SHEPHERD Jerry & Pat Capps He is our SALVATION Carol Kolander He is our SUFFERING SERVANT Nolan Snider He is my ALL IN ALL Toni Lorenz He is our REST. Anonymous He is Our Mediator. {Anonymous} |