Surviving an Unwanted Divorce

Experiencing an unwanted divorce is a profoundly personal and complex journey, marked by indescribable pain, confusion, and devastation. For individuals facing this heartbreaking reality, access to sound biblical wisdom and effective therapeutic insights is essential for healing and moving forward.

This resource, developed from extensive personal experience and expert scholarship, aims to support those wrestling with the anguish of an unwanted divorce, offering practical guidance and spiritual fortitude.

Understanding the Devastation of Unwanted Divorce

An unwanted divorce is not merely a decision; it is described as a vortex of pain, shame, and devastation wrapped in a tangle of unanswered questions and potential judgment from those who do not truly understand the complexity of the situation.

The host of the Therapy and Theology podcast, Lysa TerKeurst, shares that she has walked through this journey herself and has experiential wisdom to offer, emphasizing that while she wishes the word “divorce” was not attached to her life, it is. She stresses that she is not pro-divorce, but she is pro-healthy marriages and pro-helping others who desperately need support when they find themselves in a devastating place.

Essential Support for Healing

This practical and biblical guide is designed to benefit three significant audiences:

1. Individuals Suffering Through Divorce

This includes women and men whose lives have been turned upside down by an unwanted divorce. They are often wrestling with fundamental questions about their worth, identity, and how God could allow such devastation to occur and not spare them or their children. The goal is to provide a solid start toward gaining the emotional fortitude and biblical confidence needed to move forward.

2. Friends, Family, and Community Leaders

This resource serves as a guide for Bible study leaders, pastors, counselors, friends, and family who are actively supporting loved ones walking through this unthinkable pain.

3. Christians Seeking Clarity on Divorce

Many Christians are understandably confused about what the Bible truly says regarding divorce. The discussion aims to combat misinformed, hurtful, or unhelpful blanket statements often made within the church.

Debunking Misconceptions About Divorce and God

A primary goal of this work is to address common, damaging spiritual misconceptions:

• Myth 1: “God Hates Divorce.” This blanket statement is often made but can be deeply unhelpful and hurtful to those who are the victims of an unwanted divorce.
• Myth 2: “The Only Biblical Grounds for Divorce is Sexual Infidelity.” This restrictive view is often misinformed.

The experts aim to honor God’s intent for marriage while providing truth. A key concept, according to Leslie Vernick, is recognizing the essential difference between a difficult marriage and a destructive marriage.