We often talk about restored marriages on this show because that is a core part of our story. However, we recognize this is not the case for every couple. Restoring a marriage takes two willing people, and if there is only one, the marriage may end in an unwanted divorce. My guest, Brandi Wilson, understands this reality all too well.
In 2016, her husband, who pastored a megachurch, walked away from the church and their family. As Brandi’s 20-year marriage dissolved, she also lost her church community, her dreams for the future, and a huge part of her identity. She and her three boys began a new journey marked with deep grief and suffering but also with hope, freedom, and peace.
Today, Brandi thanks God for the redemptive healing in her life and reassures other newly single women that they are not alone and that divorce is not the end of their story.
In this conversation, you’ll hear:
- Encouragement for life after divorce
- How to support people going through difficult situations
- The importance of learning who you are
- And much more!
Whether your marriage is going through a tough season, you want to support someone who has gone through divorce, or your own marriage has ended, I hope today’s episode will encourage you!
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- [BOOK] Better Than Okay: Finding Hope and Healing After Your Marriage Ends
- [BOOK] The Inner Voice of Love: A Journey Through Anguish to Freedom
[BOOK] The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma - The Beauty of Boundaries with Lysa TerKeurst | Episode 118
- Therapy & Theology: S3 E3 | What the Bible Says About a Marriage Falling Apart
- Connect with Brandi on her website, Facebook, or Instagram
- As a thank you for listening, get your 3 free eBooks.
My Key Takeaways:
1) You may feel damaged, but you are not destroyed. If your marriage is ending or on the verge of ending, you might be feeling scared, hurt, betrayed, and lost. It can be a scary place to be. While there will be pieces to pick up in the aftermath and you’ll likely have wounds that will take time to heal, it’s important to remember that you are not destroyed. You’ll need time to adjust to a new normal and life will look a bit different than you imagined, but you are still here. There is life after divorce.
2) Let’s change how we talk about divorce. We tend to talk about divorce in hushed tones and whispers. There is a lot of shame that is associated with it. As Christians, it’s important to help divorced people feel like they are welcome and belong. We can help remove the stigma and shame connected with divorce by addressing it in sermons and talking about the reality of blended families.
3) Get to know yourself again. One of the important first steps after a divorce is to get to know yourself again. In a relationship, especially if you also have children, it’s easy to have your entire identity wrapped up in who you are in relation to your marriage and family. When that identity is changed by divorce, you may find that you have to relearn who you are. One way to do this is to use your time alone to start a list of things you know to be true about yourself. What sort of things bring a smile to your face? What activities do you enjoy? What causes are you passionate about?
About Brandi:
Brandi Wilson is an author, coach, speaker, and leader at Leading and Loving It, a nonprofit created to empower women to love life and ministry. Her passion is to reassure other newly single women that they are not alone and that divorce is not the end of their story. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, long walks, and all things cozy. Brandi lives with her three sons in Nashville, Tennessee.
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