RESTORED Marriage Testimony: “Soaring Under the Wings of His Love!”

Lian, how did your restoration actually begin?

It all started when I met my earthly husband. I started my relationship with him, without even asking what the Lord's will was. As a result, it was nine years of many fights. I knew the Lord well, and yet, I was arrogant and proud. I always judged my husband. I was always angry and contentious when I was around him or anyone in authority (though I didn't realize my husband was God's authority over me for my protection). Our situation was getting worse, and I was urged by everyone to get professional help. So, I went into counseling, which only made things much worse. Even though this was a Christian counselor, recommended by my church, I was shocked, when I was advised to separate because God had better for me with someone else. I continually was rejecting my husband, until one day, he could not stand it or me any longer and left.

How did God change your situation, Lian, as you sought Him wholeheartedly?

With my husband leaving home, I thought it would be for the best and that I was right—oh how wrong I was. Once I found your ministry, the more I read the book How God Can and Will Restore Your Marriage (with so much hunger that I finished it in less than 3 days, then read it 3 more times in less than a week), the more I knew, and I discovered that I was as sinful as anyone else—much more than my husband ever was. Each chapter I read was as if the scales were falling from my eyes. I shed buckets of tears, tears that rolled down my face and drenched my blouse. Gently and lovingly, the Lord showed me how wrong I was and that I had built my house in the sand (Matthew 7:26), making it perfect to be pulled down with my own hands (Proverbs 14:1). I longed to be the Proverbs 31 woman, but it seemed impossible.

What principles, from God's Word (or through our resources), Lian, did the Lord teach you during this trial?

The principle I used the most was seeking the Lord as my First Love. This one principle was like a miracle balm to my mind, heart, and spirit. This was when I was able to silence all other voices, and it allowed me to turn to just one Person, the Lord, my HH, for every question or need I had. I also used the principle of letting go, which was a watershed moment (a turning point, a spiritual historic moment) in my journey. In short, over the course of my journey, I have used and applied all the principles from the book and your courses as part of my obedience to Him.

What were the most difficult times that God helped you through, Lian?

The most difficult was when I did not have enough money to buy food to feed my children. Once I'd lost my job, things began getting tight. But it was part of what drove me to know my HH intimately, to trust Him to provide for me and my children. The closer I was to Him, the more I trusted Him, the more I felt His presence in my life, and—I did not lack anything—He supplied all my needs! I never lacked in any area of my life after this; He is so loving and faithful.

Lian, what was the “turning point” of your restoration?

The turning point was the "Letting Go" process. It was not easy, but as I went on to do Course 2, Renewing Your Mind, the principle was a turning point for my heart and in renewing my mind. If you won't fully let go, then you're really unable to fully embrace your HH with both hands. Once I realized that when I hung onto and obsessed and talked about my EH, it was no different than men who obsessed and won’t let go of their OW's. So, if I wanted my EH to be able to be free from the OW, then shouldn't I be willing to let go and embrace what was the right Person to embrace? There were days when I was weak-willed, often due to stumbling or ignoring my lessons. But as soon as I asked the Lord for forgiveness and asked Him to fill that emptiness, to rid me of the vulnerability, He would, and His will was done.

Tell us HOW it happened, Lian. Did your husband just walk in the front door? Lian, did you suspect or could you tell you were close to being restored?

Right after I had applied the principle of letting go and my husband was really no longer in my heart (to the point I no longer wanted restoration... not because I didn't forgive but because I had found my True Love), I received a message from my husband--outraged at the fact that I no longer contacted him (due to following the principle). I texted an apology back (after I waited and asked my HH what to say), then he came back saying that he knew I was in another relationship. Actually, I really was, with my Heavenly Husband. Because he didn't ask, but just accused me, I heard my HH say to remain quiet (Proverbs 17:28, Proverbs 17:14), so I said no more.

After texting me frequently for the next two weeks, he called me saying that he loved me so much and that he wanted his wife back. I was shocked, even though I believed it when I heard Erin speak about it in her testimony. Everything she says is true! When we do not want our husbands anymore, when we do not crave restoration anymore, that's when God shows up and does the impossible. When we are content in the midst of our trials, because we have His love sustaining and filling us until we are overflowing, that's when our miracle happens.

Would you recommend any of our resources in particular that helped you, Lian?

I recommend the books How God Can and Will Restore Your Marriage and A Wise Woman. I also recommend all your courses, because we must be fed every day. It’s true that within the church we are being starved and fed only junk food (spiritually speaking), and even sometimes we are fed lies, which we assume are true because our pastor or Christian counselor says it. It’s not until we invest our time and effort into knowing what God says, and feeding on His truth, that we will be set free, to the point that we feel we are flying, soaring under the wings of His love!

Would you be interested in helping encourage other women, Lian?

Yes

Either way, Lian, what kind of encouragement would you like to leave women with, in conclusion?

I encourage every woman just like me (and so many other women who I have told to come here for help), to turn your eyes only on the Lord. To seek Him as your Husband, for this is honestly the starting point for your restoration.