Book Details
- Author: Winston Smith
- Publisher: New Growth Press (2008)
- Category: Family, Christian Living
Discerning Reader Editorial Review
Reviewed 08/26/2008 by Leslie Wiggins.
Recommended. Compassionate, biblical counsel for the hurting.
In Divorce Recovery: Growing and Healing God's Way, Winston T. Smith distills volumes of spiritual truth down to 24 pages to encourage the man or woman whose life is suddenly altered by divorce. This booklet is organized into two sections. The first deals primarily with the multifaceted spiritual dimension of divorce. The main emphasis is on God: His ability to understand our pain, His acquaintance with divorce and its accompanying grief, and His power to change us. God's grace is greater than our sin, guilt, shame, grief, anger, bitterness, and fears, and Smith references many scriptures and offers brief counsel for overcoming each through the power and grace of God in Christ. The second section of the booklet offers more practical strategies for moving forward and living each day with God's help. Headings include, "Only Try Do the Next Thing," "How to Help Your Children," and "What About Remarriage?"
As a child of divorced parents, I noticed two important aspects of this booklet. First, it does not offer a "look on the bright side" kind of counseling attitude. Divorce is a sin with devastating effects, and this booklet addresses it as such. Smith offers Christ-centered hope for forgiveness and restoration after a divorce without diminishing any of its painful consequences. Second, the advice for parents regarding how to help children after divorce is very good. Smith encourages parents to turn to the Psalms for helpful language and guidance when talking to children about their pain and questions. Though it isn't the ideal classroom, the circumstances following a divorce can provide an opportunity to teach children how to respond in faith. My family would have benefited from understanding that Satan is the enemy (not the ex-spouse) and that this world is a sinful, broken place in need of a Rescuer.
Divorce Recovery is appropriate for a church library, for anyone who counsels others, and anyone who has experienced divorce. Though it's been twenty years since my parents' divorce, they still struggle with anger and bitterness and guilt. I am giving them copies of this booklet. I also have a sweet friend, a mother of two young children, who has only been separated from her husband for just a few months. While I can think of a couple of books that would be a great help to her, her mind is in such a state right now that she cannot focus on reading a whole book. I am confident that I can give her this booklet, extending the Christ-centered encouragement I desire to share, without causing her to feel overwhelmed.
