"‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’" (Jeremia 29:11)
I want to start a series on the Facing Divorce Book today, it's been a desire of my heart for a long time because this book helped me to not only face and go through divorce, but also helped me to go through the custody case. During the divorce I was able to apply the principles, but still had some fear going through it, I was taking baby steps. But during my custody case I was spiritually more mature and had a closer relationship with my Heavenly Husband, which gave me the strength and boldness to lay down my will and go through it enthusiastically, and I am now reaping the rewards of following the principles and grabbing on to my HH. I would highly recommend this book, for each and every trail you are facing right now, not just divorce!
When I suddenly and unexpectedly faced divorce and later the custody case I was in shock and fear wanted to overwhelm me. When I got married, and afterwards, the last thing I ever considered was divorce, let alone losing custody of my children. I was scared of what the future will bring for me and my children. I held on to Jeremia 29:11 during that time because I knew I had to turn to my Heavenly Husband, He was the only one that could truly help me.
"‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’"
Although I was surprised and shocked by the divorce and the custody case, I learned from this lesson (“God is Looking to Reward You” -FDA, CH1) that the Lord was aware of it; He knew I would be facing a divorce and custody loss, and He was not surprised by it. He allowed me to go through divorce and loose custody so I can have a testimony to share with others facing divorce and custody loss.
When my fh send me a message that he was sitting in front of the lawyer's office to file for divorce, the Lord (at that time) led me to the Facing Divorce Course. Although I was scared I knew I had to go through the divorce with Him as my Mighty Counsellor and I made the decision to trust in Him. It was difficult because I was still new on my journey, but with faith as small as a mustard seed (literally) I followed through and signed the divorce papers without a fight, just agreeing to what was stated in the settlement. But from what I have learned in this lesson, I knew and trusted that the Lord wanted to reward me and that He had a wonderful future for the children and me. And now almost 4yrs later, I can tell you and encourage each one of you that He is looking to reward you and have wonderful plans for you!
There were difficult times, but I've learned to only run to my Heavenly Husband and to give Him all my fears, to read the lessons is this amazing course over and over again and to meditate on the verses. I read the testimonies that encouraged me to keep the course.
Two years after the divorce, when my fh started the custody case, my first instinct was to fight but He showed me that is not His way. And after many hours in His arms, I was able to agree enthusiastically, this time without fear, because I knew my HH had a plan and I trusted Him with all my heart. And now 1.5 years later, I have my children back! He rewarded my obedience and trust in Him.
From my own experience facing divorce and custody loss, I would like to encourage you to read the Facing Divorce book, meditate on the verses in the lessons and all His promises to you and apply the principles found in the lessons. Face Divorce the Lord's way, with Him as your Mighty Counsellor, trust Him to fight for you. But the most important thing I have learned is to spend as much time with your HH as possible, get alone with Him and pour your heart out to Him, allow Him to comfort you and speak to you, He is alluring you during this time to become His Bride and to find Love At Last and the Abundant Life He died to give you!
Please read what other Brides shared in their journals:
"It has addressed one of the biggest hurdle in my life - fear. All my life I have been living in fear. My mom used fear to make me listen when I was a child. When I grew up, I let fear overwhelm me and I didn't know how to overcome it. It's for the first time by trusting in the Lord that I am able to conquer fear and say, I shall not fear because God is for me.
During these courses I read a lot about seeking the Lord with all your heart. Initially I really didn't know what it should look like. Slowly I realize it was thru the moments of genuine pouring out your heart to the Lord that I started noticing the emotional connection to him and my longing for him. It takes some time but I feel it's something that I finally feel tangible and able to grasp. I hope this will help you jump start that process if you are seeking the Lord."
-Gioia Faith in USA
"This Chapter is worth my time especially that I have been faced with fear and I have discovered how to over the fear the worries and the negatives in my mind."
-Sonia in Zambia
Thank you for sharing dear Adina, and I love what the author says in the Chapter 1, that although it was not our idea or plan, the Lord has it in complete control, what a wonderful reminder with our whole life.
Thank you, Adina, for bringing us this lesson. Like you, I only had the faith of a mustard seed to walk out the principles in this book during my divorce. As my faith and understanding has grown, I can see how we are called to walk through this life differently than people who are not a Bride of Christ. He calls us to BE different. Different than we were before we knew Him, and different than the world. HE is our reward. Walking toward HIM is where we find everything we want and need. I am thankful for the words in this book to show me how to take the first steps toward my true Love when I was just beginning to hear Him call me out of a life of fear and insecurity and into a life of true abundance.
Thank you Kathy, yes we were called to go through divorce and trails differently and to have a testimony to encourage others to do the same. We are His epistles and must draw others in through His love and joy that shines through us, no matter our circumstances. And yes, only in Him can we find all we want and all we need!
Thank you my sweet Adina, this chapter has a lot of amazing principles. Our Beloved is walking us through our journey with His Hand and teaching us to trust in His perfect plan and timing!!