Divorce Is Like a Bloody Amputation

“He answered, “Haven’t you read in your Bible that the Creator originally made man and woman for each other, male and female? And because of this, a man leaves father and mother and is firmly bonded to his wife, becoming one flesh—no longer two bodies but one. Because God created this organic union of the two sexes, no one should desecrate his art by cutting them apart.”” (Matthew 19:4–6, The Message)

God tells us that because He created that a man and woman for each other, no one should cut them apart. In other words, divorce is like a bloody amputation. When one separates from their spouse, it will make the relationship feel like an amputation.

This idea strangely reminds me of a “Criminal Minds” episode this past season (“God Complex”). While there is no physical amputation, the relational amputation hurts. When two people whom God put together is cut from one another, it hurts everyone.

In a physical amputation, one can get an artificial limb. However, the sensation is not the same. In a relational amputation, one can get a new partner. Yet, the sensation, emotional connection, and spiritual connection is still severed. The kids feel the disconnect, and people see the separation. One can try to hide the severed link (just like a person with an artificial limb can hide the amputated part).

In a physical amputation, one learns to adapt to the new artificial limb. You re-learn daily tasks and you discover how the world works even though you have lost something very important and precious to you. Perspective is important when you learn to adapt. Either you stay frustrated at your lack of ability, or you learn to do things differently. Just the same, in a relational amputation, one learns to adapt. God allows for this, but life will never be the same. It all boils down to how you learn to adapt. Either you learn to be bitter or better in your relationships.

Photo by Xavier Sotomayor on Unsplash