When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” -Genesis 50:15, NIV His brothers literally sold him into slavery and led their father to believe he was dead. Joseph was truly WRONGED by his … Continue reading “A forgiveness related hope”
Category: Grief
Powerful finality
It felt different when it was final. The divorce. Up until then, I think I was still praying for an repentance miracle. I got the papers and then I knew it was truly over. It just felt different. My recommendation is to plan that day. Make sure you have some friends or a friend to … Continue reading “Powerful finality”
Abandonment: When one spouse is “done”
But the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires.” -Jeremiah 18:12, NLT Letting go of a spouse is hard. This is true, in my experience, even if that spouse is a cheater. We married them, and it is a bitter pill … Continue reading “Abandonment: When one spouse is “done””
That phase
When the infidelity betrayal is fresh, a temptation exists to write off an entire gender. I think this is very common for faithful spouses. I think it is part of the grief process. We feel vulnerable and betrayed. The trauma of it all makes us want to avoid putting ourselves in a place where … Continue reading “That phase”
Sucker punch of grief
His family all tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “I will go to my grave mourning for my son,” he would say, and then he would weep. -Genesis 37:35, NLT Out of nowhere. That is how grief works sometimes. It reminds us of the loss even when we thought we were … Continue reading “Sucker punch of grief”
Any pastor teaching empathy as sinful is waving a major red flag!
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. -John 1:14, NIV Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. -Romans 12:15, KJV Recently, empathy has encountered push back in … Continue reading “Any pastor teaching empathy as sinful is waving a major red flag!”
A resource on narcissists by Dr. Les Carter
One of the biggest things I learned through my divorce was how we walk in a world with people who lack empathy on a pathological level. They lie without remorse. Psychology labels them with a variety of labels (I am not a psychologist). Today, I just want to pass along a resource for those who … Continue reading “A resource on narcissists by Dr. Les Carter”
Real, good friends suffer with you.
“Let Me Show You the Way” is an old but favorite song from Michael W. Smith. He really captures the heart of true friendship. This song by MWS speaks to what I believe is a human longing. It is a longing for a good friend who loves at a deep, heart-level. These are the friends … Continue reading “Real, good friends suffer with you.”
A natural temptation
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. -Psalm 139:23-24, KJV A natural temptation is to focus on controlling or directing the cheater’s behavior. Please do your best to resist this temptation! … Continue reading “A natural temptation”
Would have been 15 years today…
Today would have been our fifteenth wedding anniversary. The odd thing about grief is that it does not simply go away. It has a tendency to remind us of what was lost on anniversaries as if the spiritual fabric of our souls has scarred but never forgotten the wound. My anger over the injustices is … Continue reading “Would have been 15 years today…”