An upcoming Christian movie will look at the damaging reality of divorce on spouses, children, families and friends as it aims to put forth a message for the hurting that healing is possible.
“Why does God allow divorce?” “How can you overcome the pain and bitterness that follows?” and “Is there ever healing?” are some of the questions the movie attempts to answer.
"Me & You, Us, Forever," based on a true story, follows a 47-year-old Christian man struggling with questions and painful emotions after going through an unwanted divorce. Troubled by it all, he starts to reminisce about his old high school girlfriend and first love.
"This movie is very real," said Dave Christiano, producer of the film. "The story tries to help people who have been affected by singleness, separation or divorce, and that begins by being honest with your feelings, emotions, and yourself. Through the main character in the film, we'll see just that. It's the beginning of healing in any situation."
He said that divorce is often associated with pain and estimates that at least 90 percent of people in church congregations today have been affected by a broken marriage.
A study by the Barna Group shows that Christians are just as likely to divorce as non-Christians. Around 35 percent of married Christians have experienced a divorce, according to the 2004 survey. Other estimates put divorce rates among Americans today at 50 percent.
"A mother, father, brother, sister, relative, almost everyone has now been touched by this dreadful word," noted Christiano.
"And it is devastating," he added. "Separation and divorce is difficult for all, regardless of which side of the equation you're on."
Experts studying divorce often say that there is no such thing as a "good" divorce although they note that an amicable break-up is better than a hostile one.
Divorces take a hard toll especially on children, according to Tricia Cunningham, director of Support Resources for the National Institute of Marriage. Many teens who experience a divorce struggle with anger, fear, loneliness, depression, and guilt, and others doubt their own ability to stay married, she reported.
Christiano hopes the movie will encourage discussion and ministry on behalf of those recovering from divorce.
"I'm asking church leaders in the cities where this film will open to take a serious look at their congregation and see how many people have been affected by divorce," he said.
"This film is a tool that can be used to help those people who have been hurt by it. The movie has some answers to help ease the pain."
The Christian producer also makes it no secret that his films carry a Christian message, promising a love story with no nudity and sex that will appeal to the hurting or the romantic at heart.
The movie's initial release is set for 83 cites and 34 states on Feb. 15, following Valentine's Day. A second release to additional cities is slated for May 9.
Comments
How about some healing for the kids whose parents stay in bad marriages "for the children" and end up scarring them even more emotionally than if they'd split? That happens too.
The Apostle Paul revisits the subject in his first epistle to the Corinthians, chapter 7. A believer married to an unbelieving spouse is called to stay married to him/her if the unbelieving spouse is willing, but a believer who is abandoned by an unbelieving spouse is "not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace".
Yes, God allows divorce - Jesus addresses that issue in Matthew 19, where he says God allowed it because of the 'hardness of men's hearts' - and emphasizes God's original plan for men and women, the only plan which can bring true happiness and peace.
My parents divorced after I was grown, and even though I had known for years they did not have a good marriage, still I was surprised at how devastating the divorce was. My younger brother, who was still at home at that time, was even more devastated than I, and it took years for him to recover from the effects of it. It was when he came to the Lord that he was finally healed of the hurt and pain. He says today that he shudders to think of what kind of husband he would have been if he had not allowed the Lord to heal his wounded heart.
God doesn't allow divorce? then what? they going to hell? or get spanked 1000 times? You tell me.
God only allows divorce in one circumstance - an adulterous partner. I really hope they don't ask the question, "why does God allow divorces?" as if He actually does!