This 7-Day Devotional Plan serves as a compassionate and faith-based resource for those navigating life after divorce. With its daily readings, prayers, and reflections, this devotional offers guidance and support to individuals looking to heal, find hope, and live purposefully.
Todd Turner
Day 1
Scriptures: Proverbs 17:17, Proverbs 18:24
Topic: Losing Friends in a Divorce
Memorize: Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”
Read: Proverbs 18:24 (NIV)
“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
Getting divorced is a big event that affects many parts of our lives, including our bonds. The hard truth about divorce is that you will lose some people along the way. Let’s face it today. These losses can be excruciating, and they may have a significant effect on your friends and family. There is a bright side to all of these deaths. The wise words in Proverbs 18:24 say that a true friend always loves, and Proverbs 17:17 says that a true friend stays closer than a brother. Through this challenging time, keep an eye on who is by your side. When things go wrong, true friends show who they are.
Going through a divorce changes a lot of things, and friendships can end for a number of reasons. Friends may drift apart because of moving, money problems, changes in routines, or even the difficulty of choosing sides in a split. For some people, the pain is worse when their mate is also their best friend.
Friendships after a divorce can be tricky because people are dealing with fear and sadness. Some people may pull away because they don’t know how to help and are afraid that they will say or do the wrong thing. Having to choose sides can put pressure on friendships, and after a divorce, people may drift apart in ways that were not expected.
When a couple gets divorced, it can be challenging for their friends to stay friends. When your marriage ends, your close friends don’t know how to handle the new circumstances. They may not always be able to see past their relationships, which can put them in awkward situations where they have to pick sides or keep their friendships separate.
After these losses, it’s essential to plan how to build a new group of friends that will help each other. Know that it’s okay if the people you hang out with change. Find friends who are closer than a brother and enjoy the realness of genuine relationships. Be willing to try new things and make new friends that fit with your journey after the split.
Key Point:
Remember that getting over a divorce means learning to understand, accept, and find a new balance in your social groups. Trust that God is with you every step of the way. He is the best friend and sticks closer than a brother.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me find comfort in Your presence as I deal with the difficulties of losing friends after a split. Please give me the knowledge to know which friends are accurate, the strength to deal with loss, and the courage to make new friends. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Day 2
Scriptures: Psalms 34:18, Psalms 23
Topic: Facing Loneliness with the Shepherd
Memorize: Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Read: Psalm 23 (NIV)
Loneliness can be a pervasive companion, especially during the challenging journey of divorce recovery. In these moments, it’s crucial to turn to the Shepherd, who promises to be close to the brokenhearted. Psalm 23 beautifully paints a picture of the Lord as our Shepherd, guiding, comforting, and providing. Let’s explore how this passage speaks to us when loneliness strikes. The opening words declare, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Recognize that, in your loneliness, God takes on the role of a caring shepherd. He knows your needs and is committed to providing them. Loneliness often leaves us feeling broken and weary. However, the Shepherd promises to restore our souls. Through prayer, reflection, and seeking God’s presence, find restoration for your weary soul.
Loneliness can lead to confusion and despair. Yet, the Shepherd guides us in righteous paths. Turn to His Word for direction and clarity as you navigate the challenges of divorce recovery. Even in the darkest valleys of loneliness, take comfort in the Shepherd’s presence. He promises to be with us, offering solace and strength. Spend time in prayer, knowing that God is close to you. The Shepherd prepares a table for us despite our loneliness. This signifies His provision and abundance. Seek the nourishment of His Word and the fellowship of supportive friends and family.
Loneliness may make you feel empty, but the Shepherd promises an overflowing cup of blessings. Recognize the blessings around you, cultivating gratitude and a positive perspective. Ultimately, the Shepherd invites us to dwell in His house forever. As you face loneliness in divorce recovery, remember that your ultimate home is in God’s presence. Find solace and security in the assurance of eternal companionship.
Key Point:
In the face of loneliness, remember that you are not alone. God, your Shepherd, walks with you on this journey of divorce recovery, guiding you, comforting you, and leading you to a place of healing and hope.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, in moments of loneliness, I turn to You, my Shepherd. Thank You for the promise of Your presence, guidance, and restoration. Help me find comfort in Your Word and the support of those around me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Day 3
Scriptures: Isaiah 43:18-19, Isaiah 43:16-21
Topic: Embracing Change
Memorize: Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”
Read: Isaiah 43:16-21 (NIV)
It can be hard to let go of the past, the memories, and the pain while getting over a divorce. For this reason, Isaiah 43:18–19 tells us to welcome change, let go of the old, and see the new things God is doing in our lives. The first few lines of Isaiah 43 talk about how God is always there to help His people through life’s problems. The reference to the Red Sea splitting is a miracle that shows how powerful and saving God is. It’s a reminder that the same God who moved things in the past is still at work today. Problems may have happened in the past for you, but just like God made a way for the Israelites to cross the sea, He is making a way for you now. “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” What these words say encourages us to let go of the past, forgive, and let God heal the hurts that divorce has left behind. It can be hard to let go of the past, but God wants us to so that we can fully enjoy the new season He has planned.
“Look, I’m up to something new!” It’s coming up now; can’t you see it?” God is asking us to see the new work He is doing in us. It takes a change of viewpoint, a willingness to look past the hurt and pain, and the knowledge that God is working to make something beautiful out of the ashes of our brokenness.
“I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” The wilderness stands for the complex and lonely times we go through while getting over a divorce. But God says he will make a way and bring streams of water in the middle of the dryness. He not only leads us through the rough territory, but He also gives us life through His living water.
As we let go of the past and accept change, we make room for God’s new work in our lives. This sets us up to live a life on purpose. Being on this journey isn’t just about getting better; it’s also about becoming channels for God’s love, grace, and redemption. As we work through the healing process after a divorce, we can praise God and show how He can change our lives. The most important thing is to remember that getting over a divorce is not the end but the start of a new path. God is clearing a path and giving comfort in the middle of a desert. As we let go of the past and see His latest work, He calls us to live a missionary life, one that shows how faithful He is, how He heals, and how beauty can come from pain.
Key Point:
It’s important to remember that getting over a divorce is not the end but the start of a new path. God is clearing a path and giving comfort in the middle of a desert. As we let go of the past and see His latest work, He calls us to live a missionary life, one that shows how faithful He is, how He heals, and how beauty can come from pain.
Prayer:
Lord, help me let go of the past and trust in the new things You are doing in my life. Guide me as I embark on this journey of unyoked living.
Day 4
Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 5:17, Philippians 3:7-14
Topic: Finding Your Identity in Christ
Memorize: 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
Read: Philippians 3:7-14 (NIV)
People who have been through a breakup often feel like the pain of the past defines them. Brokenness can make us lose sight of our sense of self-worth and meaning. But in the middle of this arduous journey, God invites us to rethink who we are in Christ—a new identity that gives us the strength to live life on a mission.
The words in 2 Corinthians 5:17 give hope to people who are hurt. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” These words say something significant: in Christ, our past doesn’t hold us back. The scars of divorce don’t define who we are. Instead, we are called “new creations” because of what Christ did to save us. His kindness, forgiveness, and never-ending love have become a part of who we are.
As you go through the complex process of getting over a divorce, it’s important to remember that your identity is not based on your relationship status or the events that led to the divorce. You are not marked by the end of your marriage or the mistakes you made in the past. You are marked by the unchanging love of God and the power of Christ’s sacrifice to change things.
Getting ideas from Philippians 3:7–14, we see that the apostle Paul put knowing Christ ahead of his past accomplishments. The goal of his life becomes clear: to become like Christ. In the same way, your job is to accept and live out your new character in Christ. To do this, you have to choose to stop dwelling on the past and start enjoying the present, to turn from judging yourself to accepting God’s forgiveness.
To live on a mission after a divorce, you need to know how much God loves you and let that love flow into every part of your life. It means forgiving yourself and others, knowing that Christ’s sacrifice for our sins covers all of them. Your job is to walk with confidence in your new identity, showing how God’s kindness can change things.
Key Point:
As you get over your breakup, think about how your story will affect others. Your struggles, successes, and experiences can be a sign of God’s faithfulness and healing. By living with a purpose, you not only give your pain meaning but also become an inspiration to people who are going through similar things.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank You for how Your love can change things. To fully understand who I am now in Christ, please help me. As I get over my divorce, my life on a mission for You gives me strength and a sense of purpose. I want to tell other people my story to provide them with hope and healing. Amen.
Day 5
Scriptures: Ephesians 4:31-32, Colossians 3:12-14
Topic: Unyoking From Bitterness
Memorize: Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV)
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Read: Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Bitterness can easily take hold of a hurt heart and make it hard to carry out the goal God has for us. Letting go of it is a vital part of living life on a mission. Paul, the Apostle, writes a powerful message to the Ephesians about how important it is to let go of anger. He tells us in Ephesians 4:31–32 (NIV) to “Get rid of all malice, wrath, and anger, as well as all fighting and slander.” Let’s be kind and sensitive to each other and forgive each other, just as God forgives you in Christ.
This Bible verse shows how forgiveness can change things. Along with forgiving others, it tells us to stop being angry and start being kind and caring, just like Christ did for us. One of the most important things we have to do as Christians is show kindness, love, and forgiveness to people who have hurt us.
Colossians 3:12–14 (NIV) gives us more information on how to break free from anger. As God’s chosen people, we are to dress ourselves in traits that bring people together and help them heal. This part of the text says, “Therefore, as God’s holy and beloved people, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Be patient with each other and forgive each other. If someone has hurt you, do what the Lord did and forgive them. Put love on top of all these principles because love is what holds them all together perfectly.
Bitterness often starts when people don’t want to let go of their hurts and complaints. But these texts make it clear that the call to forgive doesn’t depend on what the other person did. Instead, it comes from the fact that we are God’s chosen and deeply loved children. Knowing how much God forgives us gives us the grace to forgive others too. We can no longer be held back by anger because of this act of grace. It frees us to carry out our goals of love, healing, and reconciliation.
Key Point:
In divorce recovery, unyoke yourself from bitterness. Extend forgiveness as Christ forgave you. Bitterness hinders your mission. Today, choose kindness and compassion.
Prayer:
Lord, help me release bitterness and choose forgiveness. Fill my heart with kindness and compassion, allowing me to live out the mission You have for me.
Day 6
Scriptures: Matthew 7:24, Matthew 7:24-27
Topic: Building a Foundation on Christ
Memorize: Matthew 7:24 (NIV)
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
Read: Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)
Welcome to another day of exciting discussion. It is essential to build a strong base on Christ as you strive to recover through the divorce process. Jesus used the example of building a house on a rock in Matthew 7:24–27 to teach us a profound lesson about how important it is to have a strong base. Think about two builders: one who works on rocks and one who works on sand. A wise person, who not only hears what Christ says but also does what he says, is like someone who builds on rock. The house stays strong even when storms and winds blow because the base is strong.
When it comes to getting over a divorce, “building on the rock” means being firmly rooted in the teachings and principles of Christ. It means not only hearing His words but also putting them into practice in our daily lives. When we go through hard times in life, like getting divorced, this foundation gives us power, stability, and the ability to bounce back.
Putting your faith in Christ is more than just an intellectual or theoretical exercise; it’s a living relationship. That’s the main thing. To live by faith requires a deliberate effort. In order to get over a divorce, we need to actively seek advice from God’s Word and live our lives in line with His rules. To do this, we need to forgive, love, care, and promise to carry out the task He has given us. We make sure that our reaction to the difficulties of divorce is based on what Christ taught by “building on the rock.” This base gives us the strength to handle the spiritual, emotional, and practical parts of recovery with faith, wisdom, and strength. The base can stand up to the storms and give you a stable place to live your life on purpose, even when things are hard.
Along your path to healing from your divorce, let Christ be the rock on which you build your life. Pay attention to what He says, think about it, and then do what He says. By doing this, you’ll find the strength and purpose you need to live life on a mission based on Christ’s unbreakable foundation.
Key Point:
Establish your foundation in Christ during divorce recovery. As you live a life on mission, build upon the solid rock of His teachings. Today, commit to putting His words into practice.
Prayer:
Lord, be the foundation of my life. Help me build upon Your teachings and withstand the challenges of divorce recovery as I live out the mission You have for me.
Day 7
Scriptures: Romans 15:13, Psalms 42:5-11
Topic: Walking in Hope
Memorize: Romans 15:13 (NIV)
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Read: Psalm 42:5-11 (NIV)
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
The mental toll of divorce can be too much, and the path may look hard. The basis of our hope, on the other hand, is not tied to the things that are constantly changing but to the fact that God is the same. Romans 15:13 is a bright light of hope in the storm of getting over a breakup. It points us to the God of hope and makes us aware of how much He wants to fill our hearts with joy and peace. This divine infusion doesn’t depend on how predictable our circumstances are; it’s a sign of how trusting God in the middle of life’s uncertainties can change things.
When the poet cries out in Psalm 42, his words echo with this hope. Here, we see an open and honest picture of inner turmoil: the soul struggling with feelings of sadness and unease. Even though the psalmist is having a hard time emotionally, he refuses to give up and give in to hopelessness. Instead, he tells everyone who is going through a rough time emotionally to put their hope in God.
When the psalmist writes about hope, it’s not just passive optimism or wishful thought. It goes beyond just hoping for something to happen and turns into a sure belief based on God’s unwavering promises and trustworthiness. It is a choice to think that God stays the same; His character doesn’t change, even when bad things happen.
When getting over a breakup, when feelings are strong, and the unknown is significant, the call to put our hope in God becomes a lifeline. It’s an invitation to look away from the rough waves of our lives and toward the stable base that is the One who made the world. This hope isn’t an escape from reality; it’s a sure belief that God will keep His word, His promises will stand, and His power to redeem will make beauty out of ashes.
As we work through the healing process of a divorce, may we find comfort and strength in the fact that our God does not change. Let us trust that He is the God of hope and that He will fill us with joy and peace as we trust Him.
Key Point:
As you conclude this devotional, walk in hope. Trust in the God of hope, who fills you with joy and peace. Allow His hope to overflow in your life as you continue your mission.
Prayer:
Lord, fill me with joy and peace as I trust in You. Let Your hope overflow in my life, guiding me on the mission You have prepared for me. Amen.