You're Not Alone

By: Debbie Launey, CK Leader

A friend of mine is in the midst of an unwanted divorce. Nothing she says, prays, cries, or tries makes a difference. The “wheels of injustice” just keep grinding. It brings back many painful memories to me and I ache for her. I can’t really help, except to listen and pray for her. I point her to Jesus, the One who can help her, but right now her pain is raw and unbearable.

Many of you are suffering emotionally, financially, physically, and spiritually due to the enemy’s attack on your marriage and family. In her book, First Aid for a Wounded Marriage, (Section 3)  Marilyn Phillips writes “You’re hurting right now - hurting so badly you don’t know if you will ever stop hurting. I know, I have felt that pain. Let me assure you, though, that the pain will stop. When Jesus Christ heals, He does a thorough job.”

Jesus knows your pain. He too was abandoned, rejected, and cast out. He too suffered through court proceedings with no way out. He lived in uncertainly and want. Remember how Peter caught the fish to pay their taxes? Remember how Jesus was rejected in His own hometown?  Remember when Peter denied Him three times and Judas snitched on His whereabouts? We can’t really fathom His agony on the cross and separation from His Father, but I think it’s safe to say that Jesus does know your pain. Even more, He is with you in your pain. Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit.” Isaiah 49:15 tells us that even if a mother forgets her baby, God will never forget us. Jeremiah 30:17 (AMP) promises, “I will restore you to health and heal your wounds because you are called an outcast, Zion, for whom no one cares.”

Marilyn Phillips reminds us that our pain finds healing in praising Jesus. She writes, “What,” you cry out, “Sing praise in this awful situation? You don’t know how huge this pain is! I can hardly breathe! There is absolutely nothing to praise God about!” (Yup, I know that script.) That’s when I turn to the Psalms. David had really tough days, lots of pain and anger, long battles, as well as times of hopelessness and despair. But, David also knew his Lord God. He ended almost all of his Psalms with praise and trust in God. Psalm 69 is a great example…(it could be a Covenant Keeper’s story) where David goes from pain to praise in verse 27, “…but as for me, afflicted and in pain, may your salvation, God, protect me.” Verse 30 continues, “I will praise God’s name in song.”

Isn’t it comforting to know that if the only single word we are be able to gasp, “.....JESUS,” it is still sweet praise. I used to walk my neighborhood yelling at God and at my husband. I cried rivers of tears…(it was awful if I forgot my tissues!) Then, I learned to walk and just say His name over and over again in the midst of my tears. Peace would calm my soul so that I could finally notice the birds singing, the green trees, and my neighbor’s lovely flowers. Next thing I knew, I could spend a couple of moments praising Him and stop thinking about me, my husband, and my problems. Little by little, I let Jesus come close to me and, because it brought such peace, I started drawing closer to Him too.

We can learn from Marilyn Phillips’ words because she has walked where we are walking. She walked with God through the restoration of her marriage. I found such encouragement in these words from her and I hope their truth encourages you, “One of the things that happened during my stand for my husband and our marriage was that I got to know Jesus in a way that I might never had if I had not been forced, by circumstances, to rely on Him totally. I came to know His immense love for me, His steadfastness and His never-changing heart. He became my rock in the midst of the storm.”

The pain does lessen as you find healing in Jesus Christ, in praise, in fellowship with those who believe as you do, and in lots and lots of prayer. Know that we at Covenant Keepers pray for you and your marriage. You are not alone. If you’d like to join us in prayer and come alongside others who are walking the same journey as you, contact the CK office (704-248-8777) or click the Small Groups Tab under "Get Involved" to find a group that works for your schedule. CK group meetings are conducted with both online and local participants. And, if you’re in the Baton Rouge, LA area, I would welcome you at my home for our weekly Covenant Keeper’s meetings!