Will God Forgive You for Your Divorce?

Will God forgive me for my divorce? What about my abortion? My affair? What questions about your past keep you up at night wondering if God will forgive you?

For years, I’d wake up from a deep sleep at 3 am questioning if God’s forgiveness covered me.

I grew up in a Christian home, and I was familiar with the Bible stories, yet I didn’t think they applied to me. Stories like:

• God forgave David for his affair and for plotting to kill his best friend. (2 Samuel 11-12)
• Jesus washed away the sins of the woman at the well (John 4) forgave the sins of the adulteress woman who was about to be stoned. (John 8)
• Jesus forgave the murderer next to him while on the cross and told him he’d be with him in paradise. (Luke 23)
• The prodigal son is one of the most famous parables in the Bible about God’s forgiveness of us. (Luke 15)

Even with all these beautiful stories, the voice of the enemy was stronger. I believed the lies that my messiness was just too much for God.

I didn’t know that this is Satan’s favorite way to keep God’s children from experiencing His best.

The enemy loves to keep God’s children covered in shame so deep we wouldn’t dare tell another soul.

• Make us believe we’re so damaged no one would want us if they only knew.
• Make us believe we’re truly alone.
• Make us believe there’s no one to save us, there’s no alternative but to stay in the dark.

Many single moms live in shame, whether from our poor choices, the effects of someone else’s choices, or simply the stigma society puts on single moms.

Related: The Shame of Being a Single Mom in the Church

But there is absolutely NOTHING about you that is shameful, even your past. Everyone has a past.

Even better, God forgives you for your past.

He knew what choices you would make before he formed you in your mother’s womb. He knew what your future would hold yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

And yet, he chose you anyway.

But if you’re like me, those words alone, while they sound good, won’t cure you.

Related: Dear Single Mom, God Sees You

If you’re like me, you may even think those words and stories from the Bible are true for everyone else but you.

Do you ever ask yourself:

Will God forgive me for my divorce?

Will God forgive me for my abortion?

What about my relationship?
My porn addiction?
My choices?
My affair?
My drinking?
My betrayal?
My lies?
My past?

For years, I experienced shame and judgment from others in the church due to my poor choices.

Soon enough, I assumed God would turn his back on me just like his people did.

Those of us representing the church doesn’t always do a great job showing God’s grace.

Coming to those hurting with talk of “repentance,” “sin,” and “transgression” before we share God’s love, forgiveness, grace, and mercy pushes away more than we can ever know.

Friend, I don’t know what you’re dealing with today or for the past few months or years. But know this: God’s grace is bigger than any mistake you can ever make.

God forgives and redeems

Will God forgive you for your divorce? Will God forgive you for your abortion? Will God forgive you for your (fill in the blank)?

Have you asked Him?

Have you prayed directly to God and asked Him? Not your sister, friend, social media, or counselor, but God himself.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Psalm 32:5

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.

Acts 3:19

Related: Single Moms & The Church: How to Find Your Way Back

The same God that raised Jesus from the dead is still alive today. He is greater and more powerful than anything you’ve done in the past or can possibly do in the future.

These words are real, and they are for you.

“As far as east is from west— that’s how far God has removed our sin from us.”

Psalm 103:12

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Romans 8:1

God is love.

If you are feeling accusation, judgment, damnation – that isn’t God. That is the enemy.

If you hear a small loving voice in your ear reminding you that you’re loved regardless of your actions, that’s God. He loves you and wants the best for you.

It’s time to come back. Turn off and tune out the noise. Turn off social media, and quit listening to the friend or pastor who is driving you further away from God.

Related: Is God’s Grace for Me?

Turn it all off and be still.

You can’t hear God over the loudness of this world.

You don’t need any special prayer or sermon to hear from God.

“Be still and know that I am God.”

Psalm 46:10a

It’s time to come back. There’s only grace and love waiting for you on the other side.