Is God Mad at Me because of Divorce?
It is a haunting question…Is God mad at me because of divorce?
As a Christian you know God doesn’t like divorce. You know marriage is a sacred covenant meant to last a lifetime. You married with the intention of forever but despite your best efforts it didn’t turn out that way. So the question lingers, Is God mad at me because of divorce?
The Scarlet D
Did you ever read the book The Scarlet Letter? In the book, the lead character had to wear a big scarlet “A” because she was an adulterer. Labeled for life, even her tombstone was marked with a scarlet “A.”
Adultery does not have to be involved for you to feel like there’s a big “D” on your chest screaming “DIVORCED”. As a Christian who has experienced divorce, I know this can be particularly true for people of faith who are aware that God intends for marriage to last a lifetime. I never wanted to be divorced. Even so, I felt like I somehow let God down.
One woman told me she thinks God won’t let her into heaven because she is divorced. She is wrong. Salvation is based on your acceptance of Jesus as your savior, not on your marital status.
So What’s the Deal with You, God and Divorce?
Are you wondering if God has disowned you or is mad at you because of divorce? Do you think He is more distant because your marriage fell short of His design?
The Bible never says that God hates divorced people. God does not hate you.
The Bible does say God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16.) Because God loves us, doesn’t it make sense that he does? I think so. Divorce hurts his children. Divorce breaks hearts and crushes spirits.
God does not hate you. In fact, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit,” says Psalms 34:18 (NIV.)
God has compassion for you in your pain. He washes you clean of any short-comings if you sincerely ask and follow Him.
People who’ve never experienced divorce may not be able to have full compassion for your pain. But God does.
Is God Mad at Me because of Divorce?
I have no reason to believe that God is mad at you because of divorce. Needless to say, God doesn’t want us to recklessly throw away a marriage. He restores marriage when both people are willing to change their ways and seek Him for healthy restoration. He knows that a failed marriage causes us pain.
But, if divorce has become your reality, you don’t have to wear a scarlet “D”. Your identity is not in divorce. If you are a Christ follower, your identity is in Christ.
God loves you and will see you through the trials that come with being divorced. And nothing, not even divorce, can separate you from the love of God.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 NIV
Talk with God about your divorce. If you feel that you need forgiveness tell Him so. Thank him for his grace and compassion. Know that nothing can separate you from the love of God.
Talk with God
Father I struggle with whether I’m good enough for you. I wonder if I’m somehow less in your eyes because I’m divorced. Please let your Spirit place in my heart the truth that nothing, including divorce, can separate me from your love. Forgive me for any wrongs I have committed. Thank you for your grace and mercy. Help me to walk in your truth and draw closer to you. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
Christian Thought for the Day
For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith—
and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
Get Christian Divorce Recovery Support
It is possible to move to a point where divorce no longer pushes your emotional buttons.
Join a Peace after Divorce group
Read Renee’s book Peace after Divorce
Do You Want to Minister to Others?
Lead a Peace after Divorce group at your church
If you found this article helpful, please SHARE IT on your favorite social media. Thanks!
I think when we rank divorce higher or lower than other things that separate us from God, we miss the Mark. God hates sin. As people we rank speeding and gluttony and “little white lies” as lesser sins , and murder, adultery, even divorce as “big ” ones.
If we can accept that we are all imperfect, that we all fall, that we all needs God ‘s grace and redemption, and if we can ask Him for healing, we can experience a life much more fulfilling. Satan wants us trapped in the guilt. Because when we let that weigh us down, we don’t develop the full spiritual maturity God has designed for us.
We need to not let our failings compound like that!
Maybe we confuse the pain of divorce with punishment. I don’t know. I do know Gods love is bigger than any of it!
Heather, thanks for commenting. You are so right. Getting trapped in guilt keeps us from full spiritual maturity. Why? Because hauling guilt around in our heads and hearts keeps us from fully experiencing the grace of God. God loves us so much. Jesus died so we can move forward with our lives. The pain of divorce isn’t punishment for divorce, it is a natural consequence of human choices. God’s grace delivers us!