DeepSummary
The episode starts with the hosts discussing how to talk to kids and parents about divorce. They emphasize the importance of assessing how much information the children already know, answering only the questions they're comfortable answering, and reinforcing the love and value for the children. They also suggest rehearsing the conversation beforehand and setting boundaries around what information to share with parents and friends.
The conversation then shifts to the difficulty of not picking sides during a divorce. The hosts advise against using the phrase 'there are two sides to every story' and instead focus on the well-being of all involved. They encourage being compassionate, setting boundaries, and allowing individuals to grieve and process the divorce in a healthy way.
Throughout the episode, the hosts offer practical advice and personal experiences on navigating the complexities of divorce, particularly in communicating with children, parents, and communities. They emphasize the importance of being honest, age-appropriate, and prioritizing healing over sharing details.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Assess how much information children already know about the divorce situation and answer their questions in an age-appropriate manner.
- Reinforce your love and value for your children throughout the divorce process.
- Set boundaries and rehearse conversations beforehand when discussing divorce with parents, friends, and communities.
- Prioritize healing and well-being over sharing unnecessary details or taking sides.
- Frame divorce as a profound loss and grief, using language that accurately captures the depth of the experience.
- Seek professional counseling and legal consultation to navigate the complexities of divorce in a healthy way.
- Allow individuals to grieve and process divorce at their own pace, without judgment or taking sides.
- Focus on the greatest good and dignity of all individuals involved, rather than picking sides or assigning blame.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “You just keep him talking. Keep him talking.“ by Lisa Turkirst
- “Words frame our reality. And because words frame our reality, I think it's important to, when we're talking about a divorce, to really express the fullness of what this really is. And for me, it was the deepest grief I've ever known. And so instead of calling it a divorce, I called it the death of my marriage.“ by Lisa Turkirst
- “The filter is the greatest good of both image bearers. And like I said, sometimes it's going to take specific actions depending on the scenario.“ by Joel
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Episode Information
Therapy and Theology
Lysa TerKeurst
3/14/24
Whether you've gone through it personally or been deeply affected by it, divorce is heartbreaking. It can also be so challenging to navigate conversations and dynamics with kids, friends, and others as you walk through the changes that come from the death of a marriage.
This episode is a part of the newest season of Therapy & Theology: "You Asked ... We're Answering." Through podcast reviews, direct messages on social media, and more, Lysa TerKeurst; Licensed Professional Counselor Jim Cress; and Proverbs 31 Ministries' Director of Theological Research, Dr. Joel Muddamalle, collected your most asked questions. Now they're spending an entire season answering!
Related Resources:
- Download the free Listener Guide for this episode here! Complete with statements to hold on to and scriptures to call to mind, this guide will help you apply what you learned in this conversation.
- Stop navigating difficult relationships alone, and utilize the biblical and therapeutic wisdom inside Lysa TerKeurst's book Good Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are. Order your copy today!
- We'd like to thank Compassion International for partnering with us again to make this season of Therapy & Theology possible. Compassion brings real solutions to the poverty that so many children in today’s world are facing … all in Jesus' name and through the generosity of sponsors. Take your next step, and sponsor a child today here!
- Stay connected with Lysa TerKeurst, Jim Cress and Dr. Joel Muddamalle on Instagram.
- Proverbs 31 Ministries reaches women in the middle of their busy days through free devotions; podcasts; speaking events; conferences; resources; Bible studies; and training in the call to write, speak and lead others. Learn more by visiting our website!
- Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
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