Joy Gets the Last Word

Always, but especially after a divorce, we need to be staring at Jesus. Unblinkingly. Non-stop. When my youngest son, Grant, was a baby, he only wanted me or his dad to hold him. We were his everything. He would cry and cling to us if anyone else tried to hold him. He only felt confident around us. That’s how God wants us to be. Clinging to Him. Only confident with Him. He is our whole world. He is our everything. We rely on Him for everything. And in a moving, fluctuating, frenzied world, He is what we know. We can be confident in Him. He alone is what we can depend on.

I always think of Mary at Jesus’s feet. I love what Jesus says to Martha when she complains that her sister isn’t helping: “‘But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her’” (Luke 10:42). Be the person who refuses to move from Jesus’s feet, even when everyone is shouting at you to get things done that the world says are important. By doing so, we will bring God glory by bringing attention to Him.

Many things in this book are the opposite of what the world will tell you. The world will say, “You deserve happiness. It’s time for you to put yourself first. Do what you want to do. Enjoy yourself. Listen to your heart. Be in control. Be independent. Be footloose and fancy-free. Don’t settle for anything less than your dreams.”

It can be easy to slip into that mindset when we are bombarded by television, magazines, and the internet all giving us that message. Our culture doesn’t want us to follow Jesus. But do not stray from Biblical truth. We are to be dependent on Christ. He alone is our example.

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. (Colossians 2:8)

Going through a divorce is not easy. It can be a long, tough road. But friend, please listen when I say this. Never stop seeking God through this time. Remember that He is for you, not against you (Romans 8:31). He will work all things together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28). God will redeem every hurt you have experienced.

Many of you may not understand your singleness. You didn’t want it or have any control over it. But someday, we will have to give an account to Jesus as to how we used it. Spend your period of singleness as a gift to God. He will be glorified, and any hurt you may have will be transformed to a great thing.

Proverbs 1:33 promises us, “But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.” The key phrase here is listen to me. God will lead, and you will follow.

Just as He resurrected his son from the grave, He can resurrect your life from the death of divorce. God has a plan, a future, and a timetable for your life. It will all become apparent in His perfect timing. You simply have to learn how to be patient during these waiting phases.

I have seen God come through time and time again for me without fail. He will do the same for you. You will have a great, abundant life because of Him.