Are You Sure Divorce is What You Want?

This past week we had an unusual request from one of my dearest friends, Mary Stearns-Montgomery. But then again if you knew her, it wasn’t so unusual.

Mary is the Managing and Founding Partner of Stearns-Montgomery & Proctor. Mary asked us if we would guest blog on their newsletter. What I’ve always loved about Mary’s approach to potential clients, who have reached the end of their rope in marriage, is to counsel them away from divorce. She gives them insight into the divorce process and encourages them to seriously reconsider, even though it may mean losing a potential client.

Gottman Research has shown the 4 Negative Communication Patterns predict early divorcing – an average of 5.6 years after the wedding. Emotional withdrawal and anger predict later divorcing – an average of 16.2 years after the wedding.

So it wasn’t a surprise when she asked us to guest blog about encouraging those seeking a divorce, to reconsider. For those of you who don’t know our background, Russ was married for 12 years, divorced for 3 years and currently remarried  to me, Danielle, for 13 years. Russ shares his perspective about counseling and the approach that can make or break a couple.

You can read the article here —> Are You Sure Divorce is What You Want?

If you do find yourself struggling and in need of a good counselor and are local to the North Atlanta area, we highly recommend North Georgia Family Counseling Center (NGFCC.) There are several great counselors within NGFCC. If you’re part of the Milton, GA community you might recognize one of the NGFCC counselors, Judy Wolfe.  She specializes in grief counseling.

Our go-to guy has been and is Dr. “Boyd” Whaley, M.Div., Ph.D., L.M.F.T. We’ve been seeing him since 2002 and we have referred no less than a 100 couples to him. Appointments are easily set up via text at 678.242.9355 or you can leave a message at the number.

Another great option is the ReNew program at Northpoint Community Church.

Whether you are experiencing difficulty in your life or relationships or just want to enrich your relationship with Christ, Re:new is a ministry for you. A one-on-one mentoring ministry, Re:new matches trained volunteer mentors with individuals for confidential, weekly mentoring sessions.

You and your mentor will explore questions such as:

• What causes me to feel stuck in my circumstances?
• What can I do to experience victory in my life?
• Why do I struggle with certain behaviors or emotions?
• Can I find peace in the midst of life’s challenges?

Your mentor will lead you through a process of discovering why you are stuck in life by uncovering lies you believe about yourself, others, and God. You will develop an understanding of who you are in Christ. By understanding your identity in Christ, you will learn to live in freedom—freedom to experience the Christian life as God intended.

Re:new is available to regular attendees of North Point Community Church.

If you have any questions about these resources comment below or email us danielle@intentionalmarriages.net. Also, please share this post using the social media buttons below. You never know who might help by sharing these resources.

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