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How do you get over a divorce?

madison1101

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I am 47 years old. 4 years ago my husband walked out. We had been married 25 years. That same year all my kids moved away, they are adults. Ex-remarried in February this year. Kids are home for holiday, one is staying with ex and new wife. another with ex-mother-in-law. I am so jealous and resentful. I can't get over the fact that I am alone, and he has new wife. How am I supposed to deal with this?

I haven't really started dating. My weight and current life with grad school at night don't allow me that freedom, though I tried to this past summer.

I hate not having someone who loves me in my life. I hate sleeping alone. I hate being celibate, but the alternative is sin and dangerous.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

2lplvr

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Let me begin by saying that I am not divorced but would encourage you to begin to look at the blessings you have in your life instead of what is lacking.
Aside from being alone, you sound lonely. Are there other relationships you can foster right now or opportunities to bless others?
Most importantly, I would pray for God to fill the emotional and spiritual needs you have right now. I believe that when we are content with just Him, He will always give us so much more.
 
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HisWinterRose

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Try and keep yourself busy ... bake ... clean ... get active in the church that your a part of ... help in a soup kitchen ... just keep yourself busy & sometime ... the Lord will bring someone your way. Do you still stay in touch with your ex ? Or has he broken all ties all together ? Well, I think to that you need to clean house of all the MEMORIES that you had with him. Having those around just might be what is making you feel the way you do. It's just some ideas ... you can take them or leave them. But most of all PRAYER helps us get through those rough times. !!
 
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Melbelle

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:hug: I'm sorry I have never exparenced that and hope I want have too but in the mean time just keep busy take your mind off and just concintrate on the one thing that matters, God lean on him and let him guide you I'm sure he will bring peace and happiness to you in his time not ours :hug:
 
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madison1101

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I appreciate your support. I do keep extremely busy. I am an 8th grade teacher, and also in grad school. In my grad work, I do an internship three days a week at a mental health facility. I also teach sunday school. I also do volunteer work for Special Olympics. I never have a free minute, till Saturday night, then the loneliness sets in. I am also involved in 12 step recovery for my eating disorder. I do have friends, at work, in grad school, in 12 step groups, and my family. But that is not enough to take away the pain.

My ex has cut off all ties, except as they pertain to the kids.

I weigh almost 300 pounds, so there is little chance of attracting a man. I overeat because of the pain of the loneliness.

I feel very hopeless.
 
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forgivenmuch

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Its Time To Let Some Of Those Go And Do Something For Yourself. I Am Married .. However I Almost Got A Divorce And I Felt Some Of Those Feelings And Let Me Tell You .. They Are Bad. Its Very Lonely. If It Was Me .. I Would Join A Fitness Club.. Lose Some Weight If That Would Make You Feel Better..
And I Know It Would .. And Then I Would Start Thinking About Dating.. There Is No Reason For You To Be Alone. You Need Someone Its Plain To See. Do Something For Yourself For A Change, You Are Giving All Of Your Time To People .. But No Ones Going To Help You.. But You! If You Want Change Then Start Changing Your Life Around. And I Know If You Work Hard At It ..it Will Pay Off.
 
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Evie

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madison1101 said:
I am 47 years old. 4 years ago my husband walked out. We had been married 25 years. That same year all my kids moved away, they are adults. Ex-remarried in February this year. Kids are home for holiday, one is staying with ex and new wife. another with ex-mother-in-law. I am so jealous and resentful. I can't get over the fact that I am alone, and he has new wife. How am I supposed to deal with this?

I haven't really started dating. My weight and current life with grad school at night don't allow me that freedom, though I tried to this past summer.

I hate not having someone who loves me in my life. I hate sleeping alone. I hate being celibate, but the alternative is sin and dangerous.

Any thoughts or suggestions?
aw,been there done that. I feel for you. I certainly remember the pain,hurt and the complete loniless. I look back now and know that God was with me the whole time. Let Him hold you up and fill your emtpy heart.Honest,some day you will look back and see that you were weak then and how He can make you strong. Divorce is a hard thing to deal with as I know so just hang in there. Keep yourself from thinking about what you lost and look at what you have not what has happened to you. I'm praying for you.
 
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suzybeezy

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madison1101 said:
I appreciate your support. I do keep extremely busy. I am an 8th grade teacher, and also in grad school. In my grad work, I do an internship three days a week at a mental health facility. I also teach sunday school. I also do volunteer work for Special Olympics. I never have a free minute, till Saturday night, then the loneliness sets in. I am also involved in 12 step recovery for my eating disorder. I do have friends, at work, in grad school, in 12 step groups, and my family. But that is not enough to take away the pain.

My ex has cut off all ties, except as they pertain to the kids.

I weigh almost 300 pounds, so there is little chance of attracting a man. I overeat because of the pain of the loneliness.

I feel very hopeless.
I was divorced. I can remember the anger and the loneliness. What's hard to remember at the time is that God is always in control of every situation. He arranges our circumstances for a purpose, even when we don't understand why. You need to trust in that. During my divorce I had a very hard time understanding that. I was so bitter when I seen my ex with his new women and was so sad when I was alone. But I found support in my friends and turned more to God for his help through it. And what I found was that my anger and bitterness and sorrow, were drowning my spirit. That even though I was doing all these "Godly" things, inside there was all this stuff that God wanted to work out of me. I grew from that experience. I can't believe the person I became because of it. It was difficult to get though, but I thank God that he loved me enough to challenge me. (And I have the added enjoyment that my ex now regrets all he put me through and realizes what he lost in me. And by the way, he's had nothing but failed relationships. Sorry I know I shouldn't be happy about that, but secretly I kinda am).

And as for your hopeless feeling and thinking you'll not find someone. God already has a plan for you. You don't know when and you don't know who, but you have to trust him. The man God had for me was so unexpected and more that I could have expected. We'll be married for 7 year in January. I'm no model myself. But God knows the beauty inside of you and has someone perfectly designed with you in mind.

So don't struggle in your own desires and worries, let God take the driver seat. Its a hard road, but worth the trip.
 
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brokenbananas

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Big hugs to you Madison.

I'm sorry for all the things you are going through. I want to tell you right now that you are so loved by God and by others. I'm not going to repost what others have written, but I would like to share that loneliness is not only experienced by those alone, but even by those married or who have someone.

There are sometimes things that we go through that we don't feel anyone else understands. God understands. You are so gorgeous in God's eyes. Although I have not seen you, it doesn't matter. You are so beautiful. Do not doubt that.

My husband shared with me quite awhile back when I was bashing myself for how I look. He said Starr Jones, a beautiful, big, black woman portrays herself as sexy, beautiful, lovely, vivacious. This got me to thinking that maybe the world portrays only women who are thin beautiful, but that is soooo wrong. Beauty comes in many shapes, sizes, forms. My dh also shared with me that no one can make me think I'm ugly unless I felt that way already. I got so angry at him, but later told him he was right. I allowed what others thought of me to define who I was rather than how God saw me....as one of His chosen and beloved children.

There was a time when eating alone, sitting alone, being alone bothered me. But, as I learned to love who I was as a person, good and not so good stuff, it no longer bothered me that I was alone.

What I have found attractive about other people was not how they looked, rather how they felt about themselves....if they felt good and positive, that energy eminated from them. If they felt negative, unhappy...that energy also eminated from them.

Have you ever been around a really miserable, unhappy person? Don't they sort of suck the like out of you? And, have you been around someone who is happy, fun, enthusiastic? Don't you have more energy around them and feel good around them?

You can choose what kind of person you want to be. Things take time, but you can sometimes determine how much time things take. God is willing to work with you. Make a decision every time a negative thought comes into your head to claim a promise of God's or something God says He loves about you. Memorize those verses. Keep them close to your heart.

Over Thanksgiving my dh, kids, and I visit my aunt & uncle. My daughter asked me if I could have some pumpkin pie. I replied No. My daughter asked why. My uncle quickly piped in, "You don't want to look like your mom, do you?" My daughter said, "I want to look as pretty as Mommy." I see myself as this beautiful, gorgeous, sexy, curvaceous, intelligent, creative, fun woman. The initial reaction in my mind was to say something mean. However, is that what God would've wanted? No. Since I was a guest in their home. I said nothing. I just gave my daughter a hug, told her I loved her, and discounted the mean remark by my uncle. I felt pity on him that he felt he had to say something mean to me. He's done this my whole life every time I visit. It used to hurt me because I let it. Now, I blow it off. I know who I am in Christ, and I will NOT let him tell me otherwise.

Let things go, be thankful, pray, give yourself a break and some time, learn to love who you are no matter where you are in life. You are loved and so beautiful.

Blessings,
Doris
 
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madison1101

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I am slowly healing. It is hard, though. Over thanksgiving I had to accept that my kids were staying at his house, and that really, really bothered me. I couldn't talk late at night with them, the way I was used to, or get up early and make them coffee. His wife was making them coffee, if she has a coffee maker.

Thanks again.
 
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bkg

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Wonderful question, but the wrong one... I don't think you EVER get over a divorce - you get through it. Frankly, getting over it, in my opinion, would mean shutting off all memories, emotion and hope in God that stemmed from the dating relationship, the marriage, and the subsequent divorce. Turning that off isn't possible; all that is really happening is the person is trying to "ignore" the reality of it all...

You get through the divorce by focusing on the Lord and as was said, all the amazing blessings your life. I've learned recently form a friend that contentment can be born out of thankfulness - consciously be thankful for all of the blessings everyday, and contentment will soon appear.

Keep in prayer and in the Word. I guess that's about all I can say.
 
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heartnsoul

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I was divorced years ago and have remarried since then. I didn't have kids from my first marriage so I guess it's harder to get over a divorce when there are kids involved. I agree with the other posts about finding your strength in God. We all go through periods of loneliness sometimes whether we're single or married. I wish I had the magic potion to give you, but I don't. All I can offer you is encouragement that if you open your heart to God, He will heal you and restore your self esteem. It sounds like you may be suffering from a little bit of low self esteem. Divorce or any type of breakup tends to leave us feeling unwanted and bad about ourselves. Go to God with all your pain and know that He will help you through it. I believe that through every bad experience we go through in life, there are always good things that come out of it. With your kids spending time with your ex, maybe this is a good opportunity for you to find *you*. As long as your kids are around, it will distract you to focus on them instead of yourself. Like other people already mentioned in the above posts, go out and do things for yourself. Join a dating service. Go out and meet new people. Surrounding yourself with positive people will make a big difference in your life. I have no doubt that God has a plan for you. Keep the faith and count your blessings. God bless you! :angel:
 
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madison1101

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I had a hard time over the holiday. My daughter and her husband stayed at my ex's place. It really bothered me because she always stayed with me before. I hated sharing my kids with him through the holiday, especially now that he has remarried.

I have tried to date and am just not ready yet. The men I saw were less than desirable. Kind of feel like I only attract weirdoes and freaks. Not good for the self-esteem.

Trish
 
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heartnsoul

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madison1101 said:
I had a hard time over the holiday. My daughter and her husband stayed at my ex's place. It really bothered me because she always stayed with me before. I hated sharing my kids with him through the holiday, especially now that he has remarried.

I have tried to date and am just not ready yet. The men I saw were less than desirable. Kind of feel like I only attract weirdoes and freaks. Not good for the self-esteem.

Trish
Hi Trish,

I know how you feel. Don't give up though on the dating scene. I've heard it said that you have to sometimes go through a bunch of rotten apples to find the golden one. I know you will eventually find someone who will love you *just the way you are*. Here's a joke to cheer you up: Where are all the sensitive and caring men? Answer: They're with their boyfriends!! (ha ha ha) No offense to the gay guys. Someone had told me that joke and I thought it was hilarious. Seriously though, the right one will come along when you least expect it. Keep the faith. I will keep you in my prayers. Big hugs to you…:hug:
 
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madison1101

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heartnsoul said:
Hi Trish,

I know how you feel. Don't give up though on the dating scene. I've heard it said that you have to sometimes go through a bunch of rotten apples to find the golden one. I know you will eventually find someone who will love you *just the way you are*. Here's a joke to cheer you up: Where are all the sensitive and caring men? Answer: They're with their boyfriends!! (ha ha ha) No offense to the gay guys. Someone had told me that joke and I thought it was hilarious. Seriously though, the right one will come along when you least expect it. Keep the faith. I will keep you in my prayers. Big hugs to you…:hug:

Thanks for the chuckle. I had heard that one before. It is sad but true. I have been attracted to some really nice guys, learned they were gay and said, what a shame.

Madison
 
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I was married for 16 years and my ex left me. Holidays are so rough and getting over it is a process which takes a long time and a lot of prayer. I will pray for you. I know one thing that helped me a lot in my healing was being honest about my feelings.

On the subject of finding another relationship, I want to say this. Pray that God will lead you to your soulmate. Your soulmate will be able to deal with your weight and walk through that struggle with you. Maybe he has a struggle with that same area or another area and you can help each other. Those who will initially accept you based on your weight if you were slimmer will eventually reject the "real you" because that is not a good reason to accept or reject a person.
 
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jenelis

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I relate to what you've shared. I felt like I'd been put out at the curb with the other household trash.

There's a definate period where I turned off my emotions-- just to make it through. And then there was a period of mouring. I think you're stuck there.

You can't feel sorry for yourself forever. Do whatever you need to do to get over it and MOVE ON.

Stay positive and enjoy the little things God has provided. Decide who you are now, what you want to be and go and get it!
 
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madison1101 said:
I appreciate your support. I do keep extremely busy. I am an 8th grade teacher, and also in grad school. In my grad work, I do an internship three days a week at a mental health facility. I also teach sunday school. I also do volunteer work for Special Olympics. I never have a free minute, till Saturday night, then the loneliness sets in. I am also involved in 12 step recovery for my eating disorder. I do have friends, at work, in grad school, in 12 step groups, and my family. But that is not enough to take away the pain.

My ex has cut off all ties, except as they pertain to the kids.

I weigh almost 300 pounds, so there is little chance of attracting a man. I overeat because of the pain of the loneliness.

I feel very hopeless.
I can identify with the space you are in at the moment. I have been separated 6 months now. I can honestly say that I have come such a long way spiritually and emotionally lately and it has all been the work of my God because I couldn't do it myself any longer. I struggled every day with the utter pain of a broken heart and had to go through the motions for my 2 little kids. God has carried me the whole time, he carries me still but now I let Him.

I use to weigh 358 pounds, I now weigh 250 pounds. I have lost 108 pounds over the past year and am still going my goal is 175 pounds so I have 75 pounds to go. I don't care what others think of me now but I use to be so self conscious that it was crippling. The Lord has worked a huge miracle in my attitude toward myself, I don't blame myself any more for the actions of my ex husband. I am starting to smile again and am working hard to let go of the anger and bitterness, it only gives the evil one a foot in.

I am praying for you and hope that you find some inner peace.
 
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