After my husband left last January, I spent many long hours praying for him to come home. I specifically prayed for God’s will to play out in my life.
I had many friends and church members praying for the same thing.
Even though our marriage wasn’t a healthy one, I still believed that God could heal our marriage and make it work. I meant my words at the altar and was completely 100% committed to my marriage and the promises I had made to God. I thought I would be married until literally death do us part. I had FAITH!
But as winter turned into spring and the days got longer, and then spring into summer, I realized that my husband wasn’t coming back.
And I had to take a hard look at myself in the mirror and face reality. This divorce was God’s will. I believe that God does not like divorce, as he says in His word, “ I hate divorce.” (Malachi 2:16 NET).
However, often God’s will plays out differently than we hope and we often expect. It can be very difficult to understand why really bad, painful things happen.
I also have to believe that God protects us from bad things and unhealthy things. And I also believe that God has great plans for you and me. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV).
And then this came: ACCEPTANCE.
In the acceptance of God’s will, whether we like it or not, there is true freedom.
I’m not going to lie and pretend that allowing my marriage to settle into my past has been easy in any way. But, wholeheartedly accepting that my divorce is part of His plan for my life has allowed me to begin new plans, dreams, and hopes.
I’m choosing not to live as a victim. Instead, I choose to believe that God has way better plans for me. I choose to see the light in the sunrise every morning.
I no longer dwell in the past, but instead spring forward into new life. I am like a new spring chick. He is renewing me day by day. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2 ESV).
I want people to know who have suffered through a divorce or other difficult and painful things, that God always knows best. That even when His will doesn’t go the way we expect or wish, we have to TRUST Him that there is a greater purpose and plan for our pain.
And that if we allow God, He will use our pain for a higher calling than ourselves. And maybe, just maybe something really beautiful will come next.
Remember God knows best. You can TRUST Him!
Be Blessed,
AllisonD