♕Today's Promise: “But let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.” 1P34.
Abela, how did your Restoration Journey actually begin?
It all started when 11 years ago I tried to change my husband, Jacson, with my strength. And I failed. Desperate for not knowing what else to do, and without seeking only the Lord, because I still didn't know RMI, I started to fail in my plans, to listen and to get advice from others. I started to sink more, and more into anxiety, extreme, panic and insecurity.
I have lived with adultery in my marriage for 11 years. One day I was watching a program on the internet that talked about relationships, at the end I wrote how I felt about the exposed topic. A few days later someone replied to my comment. And finally sent me the website HopeAtLast.com.
By then I had already ordered Jacson out of the house and I wanted a divorce. But deep down I didn't want a divorce, I just wanted to give him a scare to see if things would change. How foolish I was. So Jacson left the house, and I started coming up with a plan to forget about him. I got involved with someone else, but I couldn't get Jacson out of my head. At that time he was already living with other woman.
I was frustrated, sad not knowing what to do, I had separated from Jacson, but still I didn't feel at peace or happy. So I went to the RMI website, and saw the title How God Can and Will Restore Your Marriage. It gave me hope, and I couldn't believe that finally someone was giving me hope to start over again. Because looking around me no one supported me that I should fight for my marriage. So the only visible hope I saw was the words written when I entered the site. So I started filling out the Marriage Encouragement Questionnaire, I started taking courses, reading devotionals, reading books, and all the materials available. Then God began to change me and still transforms me every day.
How did God change your situation, Abela, as you sought Him wholeheartedly?
Each time I got closer to Him, He gradually changed my situation. I was seeing changes from day to day. He transformed me in an incredible way that people started to notice. Some said that I became someone who is Jacson's doormat. I got bombarded with news about the other woman and Jacson on Facebook constantly, and people asking me all the time if I'm still married to the him after seeing all of this? I got to the point where I said yes, but inside I was bleeding from the pain. But God was always by my side making me have the courage to endure.
What principles, from God's Word (or through our resources), did the Lord teach you during this trial, Abela?
Letting go remains an extremely difficult process, but not impossible to achieve. The more I sought His will, immersed myself in His word, I noticed that I managed to let go of Jacson in my thoughts. I didn't care and he always made contact, not me.
What were the most difficult times that God helped you through, Abela?
The hardest times were when they said that the other woman or Jacson posted photos together as a happy couple and he told people that we were no longer together. When I saw something I cried at the Lord's feet and He helped me get through.
Abela, what was the “turning point” of your restoration?
The turning point was when my friend saw that he had posted a picture on valentines with other woman. She advised me to end this marriage and not accept him again at my home when he comes back from his trip, because this is the second time he's come home. However last year he came back to me and left for 9 months saying he was going to take a long trip because he was building a house in his country, however the other woman was with him all this time. When my friend told me this, I was discouraged and wanted to give it all up, so I read the devotional that day "I have grieved you, but I will grieve you no more!” There, I felt that the Lord was about to give me a restored marriage.
Tell us HOW it happened, Abela? Did Jacson just walk in the front door? Abela, did you suspect or could you tell you were close to being restored?
Two days later Jacson called me telling me to buy a ticket for 2 weeks from now that he would be back home. Beloved, our God has everything planned for His appointed time. I was able to spent two weeks before he came home, rereading the first lessons of the course, kindness on her tongue, winning without words, and a gentle and quiet spirit.
Beloved this made me have more fuel for when he returned. That's why I advise you to always reread studied contents, this is the key to everything. After 2 weeks Jacson arrived, thank God, and after 1 week the borders and all flights were canceled because of the Covid-19. That's to say that God does everything in His time. And we are here at home together with our son. And I know He will finish what He started to do in our family.
Would you recommend any of our resources in particular that helped you, Abela?
I recommend all materials that are available here. All are divine works that help us a lot on this journey.
Would you be interested in helping encourage other women, Abela?
Yes.
Either way, Abela, what kind of encouragement would you like to leave women with, in conclusion?
Beloved, God never fails, what is written in His Word is true, He fulfills everything He says. Take possession of all the scriptures for you. And here in the ministry there is a blessing for your lives. Never give up on your marriage, find the Lord with all your heart. Don't forget that He says, He hates divorce. Trust in the Lord and He will do everything!
