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You Can Walk Through Divorce and Be Better Than Okay
July 11, 2023
by Brandi Wilson

“Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” Luke 2:38 (NIV)

Sitting in an office with stiff leather chairs and walls painted a depressing shade of beige, I took a deep breath and signed my legal name: Brandi L. Wilson.  I’d signed that name thousands of times since the moment I walked down the aisle toward the man I loved. A walk toward the person I planned on spending the rest of my life with till death do us part. A walk that signified a beginning full of hopes for our future.  This time, the signing of my name signaled an end. An end to my marriage. An end to my current family unit. An end to being a wife.  No one foresees their marriage ending in divorce. No one expects to live through the division of a life they worked hard to create with the person they loved. Splitting Christmas decorations, furniture, savings accounts, and the most difficult time with children. No one delivers a baby, looks into that infant’s eyes, and thinks, I can’t wait to spend every other weekend and even-numbered-year Christmases with you!  Some of you know what I’m talking about. You yourself have gone through a divorce. And if you haven’t, chances are that someone you love has.  We all go through seasons of suffering that force us to question what we believe and who really loves us. Trust me I wish I didn’t have to write about divorce, but I choose to share the value a season of suffering can bring.  One person who models hope in the midst of suffering is Anna, a prophetess we find in the New Testament.  Anna entered the story of Scripture when the infant Jesus was presented by His parents at the temple. Luke writes, “There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:36-38, NIV).

We don’t know a lot about Anna, but we can gain insight into how her suffering strengthened her and brought her closer to God.  First, Anna chose worship over bitterness. After her husband’s death, Anna probably grew tired at times, wondering how much longer she’d be on those temple steps alone. Regardless of what she felt, she chose praise.  Second, Anna was committed to hope. Luke 2:37b says “she never left the temple” (NIV).

She was committed to seeing the story of redemption play out in her life.  Third, Anna saw God in places where others didn’t. When the Savior of the world came to the place where she worshipped, she recognized Him immediately, even though He was only a baby. She had been focused on God with her whole being.  We follow a God who is with us in every experience of our lives, especially when we’re suffering. We can allow our dark times to draw us closer to Him so that we will see God at work in ways others might not. God opens our eyes to see beauty in brokenness.  As I signed “Brandi L. Wilson,” I knew I was devastated but not destroyed. Moving forward wouldn’t be easy. But deep down, I knew I could heal.  And that’s what I did.  I don’t know what season you’re in. But wherever you are, know that this isn’t the end. And if you are going through what feels like hell right now, let me remind you:  You are worthy.  You are strong.  You’re going to make it through this.  You’re going to be better than okay.

Time to blow out the candles on your today, mat!

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When Satan Tempts You To Despair
July 7, 2023
by Asheritah Ciuciu

“Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died more than that, who was raised to life is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Romans 8:34 (NIV)

For years, most of my prayer journal entries started with confessing the same sin struggle over and over again. Few things are as humbling as facing a long record of your own shortcomings in black and white.  For some of us, that record is physically written in our own handwriting. For others, it’s evoked by mental flashbacks to past behaviors we’d rather forget. For still others, it’s whispered by the enemy, who tells us all the ways we fall short. I’m reminded of the old hymn “Before the Throne of God Above”:  “When Satan tempts me to despair, And tells me of the guilt within, Upward I look and see Him there Who made an end of all my sin.”

There really is an accuser who hurls allegations against God’s people before God (Zechariah 3:1-2; Revelation 12:10). And let’s be honest: We all sin. Most of those allegations are probably deserved.  But do you know who now stands before God's throne, interceding on our behalf?

Jesus.  Thanks be to God that Jesus is standing right there defending us before the Father. Not because our good deeds outweigh our bad ones. We have no hope of that. But because Jesus offers His own perfect righteousness to cover all our sins:  “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died more than that, who was raised to life is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (Romans 8:34).

We will still struggle against sin as long as we live in these earthly bodies. And it’s healthy to keep short accounts by regularly confessing our sin and receiving God’s forgiveness.  But we do not have to struggle alone. In the fight against our own flesh and the forces of evil, God equips us with the breastplate of righteousness to stand against the enemy's schemes: “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place …” (Ephesians 6:14, NIV).

The wonder of the breastplate of righteousness is that it is not our own righteousness that protects us: It's the perfect righteousness of Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21).  What shields your core the very center of your being, the most vulnerable place an enemy would try to attack you is not your own ability to do the right thing. In that case, our breastplates would be full of holes where sin struggles have eaten through like rust. Rather, the protection that covers our front and back is the titanium-strength, sin-proof, perfect, spotless righteousness of Jesus.  Like Adam and Eve trying to cover themselves with fig leaves in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:7), we could never cover ourselves with our own righteousness. It’s only the sacrifice of the spotless Lamb of God that covers us from head to toe.

When God the Father looks at you and me, He sees Jesus’ perfect righteousness, not our own repeated failures.  Hallelujah! What a wonderful and merciful Savior!  So let’s come boldly before the throne of God to receive mercy and grace in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).  Let’s put on Jesus’ righteousness by confessing our sin struggles and receiving His forgiveness and grace. We can ask Him to prepare us for battle as we put to death the sins of the flesh and walk in obedience to His Spirit. And we can rest in the victory of Christ Jesus as we continue walking in His righteousness day by day.

Memo from company's Director General to Manager:

Today at 11 o'clock there will be a total eclipse of the sun. This is when the sun disappears behind the moon for two minutes. As this is something that cannot be seen every day, time will be allowed for employees to view the eclipse in the car park. Staff should meet in the car park at ten to eleven, when I will deliver a short speech introducing the eclipse, and giving some background information. Safety goggles will be made available at a small cost.

Memo from Manager to Department Head:

Today at ten to eleven, all staff should meet in the car park. This will be followed by a total eclipse of the sun, which will disappear for two minutes. For a moderate cost, this will be made safe with goggles.  The Director General will deliver a short speech beforehand to give us all some background information. This is not something that can be seen every day.

Memo from Department Head to Floor Manager:

The Director General will today deliver a short speech to make the sun disappear for two minutes in the eclipse. This is something that can not be seen every day, so staff will meet in the car park at ten or eleven. This will be safe, if you pay a moderate cost.

Memo From Floor Manager to Supervisor:

Ten or eleven staff are to go to the car park, where the Director General will eclipse the sun for two minutes. This doesn't happen every day. It will be safe, but it will cost you.

Memo from Supervisor to staff:

Some staff will go to the car park today to see the Director General disappear. It is a pity this doesn't happen every day.