"Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return." (Luke 6:38)
Today's lesson (Running Over) is all about how you respond when your spouse tells you that he is filing for divorce. Being able to respond and agree enthusiastically is one of the most powerful and freeing attitudes to have during this time. To agree enthusiastically and not resist evil.
When my former husband told me he was sitting in front of the lawyer's office to file for divorce, I already started reading the Facing Divorce Course, and I was able to tell my former husband that he must do what is best for him, although I was breaking inside. Like the author shared, if you spend enough time with the Lord, your Heavenly Husband, He will start to prepare you for what is to come, and He will start to allure you. And because of Him preparing me through reading the course, I was, just like the author also shared, able to conquer just enough faith to timidly "agree," but it was coupled with pain, doubt, worry, and fear. And on top of that, I was also thinking about (or overthinking) the consequences of divorce, which placed a heavy burden on me and filled me with more fear and worries about the future.
During this time, there will be a lot of insults and accusations directed at you, just like I lived through during that time, and it is hard. There might even be abuse in some cases. But the best response to any of this is to agree and/or remain quiet, and the only way I was able to it at that stage, was to GRAB on to my Heavenly Husband because my flesh wanted to say a lot of things and fight back. Trying to defend yourself or fight back, even if you do not agree, will only make matters worse. No matter what you say or do during this time, it will not change your spouse's mind, which is already set on divorcing you. It will just confirm his decision to divorce you. While insults and accusations are being flung at you, talk to the Lord, your Heavenly Husband, and ask Him what He thinks of you (“Who Are You Listening To?). Focus on that, not what is being flung at you.
During this confusing time, spend as much alone time with the Lord as you can. He is alluring you in the midst of what is going on, and He wants to bless you. He wants to lift the burden that is so heavy on you. He wants to give you an abundant life, despite what is going on.
Spend time with Him to build your strength and let Him comfort you. Ask Him to help you gain the faith to agree enthusiastically and hold on to the promises in this chapter and read the testimonies in this book of those who went before you.
"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!" (I3018)
"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” (2C199)
I would like to encourage you to read Ch3 in FDA Chapter 3, "Running Over"
Pour your heart out in your journal, post a praise or share what He showed you in the lesson in the comment section below.
Wow, this chapter is powerful. We need to run only to HIM when we are attacked. He is the One that can give us peace and strength to face whatever is coming our way.
Adina thank you for sharing this course/book that encourage us so much!
This course is extremely powerful, and like I shared before, it is not only for facing divorce, but the principles taught in this book, based on His Word, can be applied to any trail we are facing.
You know Adina l remember when l 1st started learning the principles i would agree but my heart would be breaking inside like you say.. It got easier over time until l started seeing how things started turning around for me.
Yes once you can conquer up a little bit of faith to agree, although timidly, you will start seeing things turning around. And that is how my faith was built to face the Custody Case. And of course, spending A LOT of time alone with HH.