I have spent a while today researching the whole range of feelings and emotions associated with the shock of separation and preparing for divorce. If anything, in our American culture the swapping of values for materialism is having HUGE impact upon those institutions such as family and marriage and values that provide the very strengths upon which to support them. It's no wonder there is a 50 to 70 percent divorce rate! When marriage gets to be a challenge the couselors preach individuation, self actualization and the need to address personal feelings to facilitate a less painful divorce and the lawyers kick in to destroy the other partner in the relationship to facilitate a greater yield of the marital assets. What ever happened to the Christian power of love, commitment, forgiveness, respect, and the willingness to work together to build and save marriages? The churches want to keep their hands clean so they refer those in difficult times to counselors. Few, very few, resources are available for Christian couples in times of stress to obtain real Christian support and guidance! So, the divorce rate continues to rise and a lasting family and marriage is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. And yet, divorce is second only to the death of a spouse as a stressor. IF the churches and if Christians in our culture are truly concerned with high divorce rates, the drop in church roles, the decline of faith and values in our society, rising crime rates, rapidly declining tithing and contributions then PERHAPS it is time that the churches...and I mean ALL of them..actually do that which was an integral part of the Christian model..providing teaching as to the foundational values of marriage, provide intercession for those in difficult times, be willing to get involved...actively involved..when a marriage is foundering, expect certain levels of Christian adherance to Christian principles within the church community and be willing to admonish, support and counsel when there are obvious breaches. If we lose Christian marriages and the basic values and commitments that are the foundation of those marriages then we make ourselves vulnerable to and fully deserving of whatever the world throws at us. Rather than homes, families and relationships we will have only ouselves to blame when life is little more than working to make money to purchase, purchase, purchase and relations and institutions will perish as the individual is interested only in self and possessions. Anything as long as we FEEL good for the moment. At that point self replaces spouse, family, and God and nothing is permanent, nor needs to be, as long as there are good lawyers and counselors and self becomes God.
I did find the web site below for those currently trying to deal and understand some of the issues that you are suddenly encountering. ANY additional Christian reference sites on coping with separation and divorce would be appreciated. http://www.divorceinfo.com/grieving.htm
I did find the web site below for those currently trying to deal and understand some of the issues that you are suddenly encountering. ANY additional Christian reference sites on coping with separation and divorce would be appreciated. http://www.divorceinfo.com/grieving.htm
