Recovery is possible, and it doesn’t depend on your spouse.

Inspiration, Life, Trials 0

“Even if you choose not to continue your marriage, you still have to recover from the trauma you’ve been through.  The road to recovery can be a stimulus for growth whether you travel it with your partner or you make your way alone.  It’s a difficult road, but it is passable and well traveled for all its difficulties, and it’s important to know that it is there for you and anyone who wants to follow it.”

— Shirley P. Glass, NOT “Just Friends,” p. 12

Humor and Gratitude

Inspiration, Joy, Life 0

“If we turn a bitter face to the world, for whatever reason, we can expect little else in return.  If, however, we face adversity with a sense of humor and hold to a base of gratitude for what we have, we’re likely to find people responding to us in kind.”

— Leo Buscaglia, Born for Love, p. 50

Pearls Before Swine

Life 0

“When he told us not to cast our pearls before swine, for example, it was not to be mean but because he knew that swine cannot digest pearls; they do them no good (Matt. 7:6).  We, too, should have the good sense to refrain from giving people truth that they are not ready to receive, for it will do them no good.”

— Richard J. Foster, Prayer, p. 232

Breaking Free

Forgiveness, God, Inspiration 0

“I wanted to make sure we addressed the importance of praying about someone who has hurt you because it is such a vital part of breaking free.  Be honest with God.  Pour your heart out to Him.  Tell Him the things that hurt you.  Tell on the one who injured you.  Search the psalms to receive further permission to speak your heart, then practice it — from your own heart with your own words!… and don’t stop until all the bitter waters have been poured out before God, and He’s had a chance to begin pouring living water back in.  ‘Trust in Him at all times!'”

— Beth Moore, Praying God’s Word, p. 239-40

The Flip Side of Forgiveness

Forgiveness, Life 0

“The road to psychological ruin begins with blame.

“The road to psychological power begins with responsibility.

“You cannot blame and find good solutions at the same time….

“Blame is always about the past.  Solutions must occur in the present and future.

“Blame obscures solutions by locking you into the problem and by focusing attention on damage, injury, defects, and weakness, on what is wrong.  Blame makes you feel like a powerless victim.”

– Steven Stosny, The Powerful Self, p. 112

Letting It Go–To God

Forgiveness, God, Inspiration 0

“Forgiveness is not defined by a feeling, although it will ultimately change our feelings. . . .  Forgiveness is our determined and deliberate willingness to let something go.  To release it from our possession.  To be willing and ready for it to no longer occupy us.  God is not asking us to let ‘it’ go haphazardly into the black hole of nonexistence.  Forgiveness means letting it go to God.  Letting it go from our power to His.  Forgiveness is the ongoing act by which we agree with God over the matter, practice the mercy He’s extended to us, and surrender the situation, the repercussions, and the hurtful person to Him.”

— Beth Moore, Praying God’s Word