POSITIVELY JOY: Healing Hearts After Divorce

In this episode of the Positively Joy Podcast, host Yvette Walker and therapist Liz Bullard discuss the complexities of relationships and divorce, particularly within Christian circles. They explore themes such as procrastination, imposter syndrome, the importance of friendship in relationships, navigating difficult decisions, the role of faith and support systems, the power of forgiveness, and self-care strategies during transitions. The conversation emphasizes the emotional struggles individuals face during divorce and the importance of recognizing one's worth and seeking support.

 

Takeaways

• It's common to feel stuck when contemplating divorce or significant life changes.
• Faith and support systems play a vital role in coping with divorce.
• Forgiveness, including forgiving oneself, is essential for healing.
• Feelings of unlovability are common but can be overcome with self-compassion.
• Self-care practices are important for emotional well-being during transitions.
• It's OK to seek help and lean on others during difficult times.

Resources:

Dawn Love's episode

Liz Bullard coaching

Liz Bullard's books

With a name like hers, Dawn Love found irony in her divorce. And as she said, there was a time when she was "broke, busted and disgusted." But this ministry leader leaned on God in trying times, even when the church around her was not always supportive. Listen to Dawn as she shares some wisdom on her marriage, divorce and her life as a single mom.

Her book, Embracing Change: Trusting God Through the Transitions of Life

Christian Women and Divorce (Support Group)

Some years people tell me they can’t find the Christmas spirit. Usually that's because of some pain or difficulty in their lives at the moment. The feeling of loss can be the same whether it's the heartbreak of divorce or actually losing a family member. And so I hope that today we can unpack this a little bit and talk about those feelings and how, as usual, we are encouraged to choose the joy of the holiday season. These are journeys filled with pain, helplessness, and, eventually, peace.

I want to hear from you! Share your stories of loss and joy at yvette@yvettewalker.com

Join my newsletter here.

Find my books here.

We're back with Amish-raised Sara Daigle in part two of her interview. In part one, we talked about her marriage and background, and today, we'll talk about the lessons she learned through her divorce and as a single mother. Stay with us until the end, as Sara drops some truth bombs you won't want to miss.

Sara's blog

Sara's books

This week, I want to unpack our stories about navigating relationships, faith, and the journey to rediscover joy. These are stories of resilience, heartbreak, and ultimately, transformation — not just for those who have faced trials in their relationships, but for anyone seeking hope and faith amid challenges.

When we talk about difficult relationships, it's tempting to stay silent, but sharing our stories has incredible power. As women, we often feel isolated, thinking, No one else could possibly understand. But the truth is, many women suffer silently, especially in relationships where love turns into control, and trust is replaced by betrayal.

Today, I want to explore why these conversations matter—why breaking silence is a step toward reclaiming our worth and faith. And I will take the first step: sharing my own story.

Women need to know they are not alone, and their struggles are seen by others and, more importantly, by God.

Positively Joy Ministries

J.O.Y. blog

My books

My speaker website

Sara Daigle is our guest in the first episode of a NEW focus on Christian women, marriage and divorce.

Sara was raised in an Amish community and when she married, her history of obedience caused her to put up with a marriage that tolerated pornography. Her husband asked her to consider engaging in an open marriage, and she said no. But these trials forced her to cling to the Lord, who delivered her from that relationship. She also began to teach her daughters how to have a blessed relationship. Part one of a multi-part episode. We will unpack a lot of Sara's wisdom next week. Come back!

Women of Purpose with Sara Daigle

Sara's books

In the 40th and last episode of Season 5, Mischelle Saunders-Gottsch is a God storyteller. But her own ability to tell other women's stories on her podcast ministry, Altered Stories, comes from her history of being in a cult with her mother. She is retelling it in a book she's writing, and the journey is difficult. Listen as Mischelle shared memories of that time in her family's life.

THIS IS THE LAST EPISODE BEFORE WE PIVOT TO OUR NEW FOCUS ON DIVORCED CHRISTIAN WOMEN. We hope you continue to listen as we serve a new audience who needs to learn about joy!

Altered Stories Ministry

The Altered Stories Podcast

We’re pivoting here at the Positively Joy podcast to a topic that many women will find incredibly relevant. Relationships. The Lord has put on my heart to talk about my own difficult divorce and journey back to joy, a journey where God was my everything. I remember how hard it was, and in these upcoming seasons we’ll get real and talk about the hurt, the pain, the loss and freedom in Jesus.

After 13 years of marriage to a man with bipolar depression, I found myself lost in the aftermath of our divorce. The emotional toll of navigating his illness left me drained and questioning my worth. In my search for joy, Psalm 91 became my refuge. The words, “He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings, you will find refuge,” spoke deeply to my wounded heart. Through faith, self-reflection, and God’s protection, I discovered that joy isn’t dependent on circumstances. It’s a choice. By leaning on His promises, I found love for myself, peace in His presence, and joy in the small, everyday moments.

I hope you join us, and share this with those you think need to hear these conversations. It’s still Positively Joy, but more.

 

Pamela D. Smith is a prayer warrior, who uses prayer not only to evangelize, and communicate and give glory to God, but to  help her self-confidence. Pamela shares her story today of being a teen mom, and all the insecurity and doubt that came with her journey. But she loves her children and is so proud of them. Today Pamela teaches us what prayer is and how to pray. Stay tuned for this important conversation.

Pamela's website

Her books

Tracey Glenn and her alter-ego character, Loretta, are a hoot. But don't be mistaken, they ARE strong Christians and love the Lord. She is an author, blogger, speaker, and searcher of biblical wisdom. Her book, "Gathering the Wayward Heart," is about what happens when life doesn’t turn out the way you planned. Listen to Tracey speak on joy and peace.

 

Visit Tracey Glenn's website

Her books

Coffee with Loretta

Carol Chisholm is a writer and singer who has kept her baldness a secret from the world and even from her family. She has an autoimmune disease called alopecia that took away her hair and her self-esteem. But she took to heart the words of Psalm 139 that says we are all fearfully and wonderfully made! Now she is proud of her baldness, and her book, "Breaking the Shadows," has just won a best memoir award! Let's hear more from Carol.

Jerry Dugan of the Beyond the Rut podcast and ministry visits the show today. A military veteran, Jerry has a great message about listening to God, being obedient and loving his family. It's about time we had him on the show, and his message of finding faith certainly is relevant following the Memorial Day weekend.

Recent graduate Allison England is starting a new career in ministry and media. The creative media production grad from the University of Oklahoma has joined a student ministry on campus to help disciple college students, a worthy vocation. But she needs your help. Tune in to this week's episode and learn directly from Allison why it's worth it.

Student Mobilization website

How to help Allison's ministry

Couples aren't perfect and can have problems, so speaking to a marriage counselor can be a good idea. But what about incorporating your faith into exploring marital issues? Licensed Professional Counselor and Therapist Healey Ikerd says it's a natural, and that when picking a counselor who is Christian you should ask them to integrate their faith into the counseling. 

 

Healey's website

Her books on anxiety, children's books and  journals

Perfectionism, pride, imposter syndrome. It's something that Vivian Cumins has struggled with. Vivian is a writer, speaker, and podcast host. Her need to be perfect and in control led to an unbalanced lifestyle filled with work, stress, illness, and depression. Today, Vivian and I talk about how to rededicate our lives to the Lord and leave perfectionism behind.

Go to Vivian's website

Free resources on work-life balance and others

How can grief be about joy? Grief transforms when the death of a son turns into new lives for lots of other children. Beth Thorp, after the loss of her son, Mitchell, started a foundation with her husband. The foundation would go on to help other children with illnesses, diagnosed or not, find healing. Beth told me she was not ready to start down this path but realized it is what God wanted to turn Mitchell's story from one of death to life. The Mitchell Thorp Foundation has raised millions to help these families. 

MitchellThorp.org: Learn more about the foundation that helps "children fighting for their tomorrow."

anewcreation.org: Learn more about Beth's book: ​It's a true story about a family, their love for each other and how the power of one life can cause a ripple effect that goes on and on to touch the lives of so many. 

Today, our show is about forgiveness of the unforgiveable. I spoke to Mark and Jen Sowersby last year about their amazing marriage and his amazing testimony. Mark was abused for years by his mother's boyfriend. He grew up damaged and afraid. But as, he says, a perfect God helped him forgive his abuser, find a loving wife and forgive the nightmare. He created a ministry and book, "Forgiving the Nightmare." And they have 20 years of a beautiful marriage. How did they get here? 

Mark's book, "Forgiving the Nightmare

Mark and Jen's ministry

I'm a career woman and a Christian creative, and there have been times when the two felt at odds. When I talked to our guest this week, author and leader Peggy Bodde, it seemed she felt my pain. Peggy has written a new book, titled "Sacred Work: A Christian Woman's Guide to Leadership in the Marketplace" and it was meant for me, and for many of you, too. Let's hear from Peggy.

"Sacred Work" is out this week! Get it here.

More on Peggy and her ministry at peggybodde.com

Jen Hardy quotes St. Catherine of Siena when speaking about women over 50: “What is it you want to change? Your hair, your face, your body? Why? For God is in love with all those things and he might weep when they are gone.” Jen's Fabulous Over 50 podcast ranks high among aging and retirement podcasts. If you're almost 50 or over 50, listen and let Jen help you feel better about yourself. 

It's Women's History Month and International Women's Day, so it's fitting to have Anna McLaughlin on the show! Anna is the founder of She Considers A Field, a women's ministry centered around the Proverbs 31 verse on what a good woman is. You can find Anna on her podcast, YouTube channel, and Facebook group of the same name. Anna talks about making the sacrifice to leave a full-time job to become a full-time homemaker and finding her fulfillment there.

She Considers a Field Ministries:

YouTube

Facebook Group

Podcast

 

Clint Hatton has experienced as much pain as most people. But God has given him the task of sharing a message of being strong and courageous even in the darkest of times. "The pain in some form will be with us for the rest of our lives," Clint said. But that pain represents the love he has for his son, Gabriel, a pilot who died a tragic death. After Gabriel's death, he and his family started living Big, Bold and Brave. Learn more about it from Clint himself. 

More about the Big Bold Brave foundation

"Big Bold Brave" (The book)

About his son, Gabriel

I'm concerned about using AI to write Christian teachings, and I'm not the only one. In this two-part episode, I'll talk with experts about whether we should use technology's latest tool to teach the Bible. In part one, Bible Storyteller Sharon Wilharm of All God's Women weighs in. 

The Gospel Coalition: "Should We Embrace or Evict AI in Churches?"

All God's Women podcast

Sharon Wilharm website

Non-religious people as well as Christians, can suffer from depression and suicide ideation. So everyone, listen up! Today's episode with Author D. Neil Elliott takes us down a path that might be different for regular listeners. We talk about depression and suicide,  using language that some people, not necessarily Christian, can recognize and relate to. But what's the same is that our Creator's incredible grace and unconditional love remains. As we move in to this year, it's important to be able to talk to all kinds of people with all kinds of beliefs and values. Stay with us through this one.

Neil's book

Neil's website

It's early in 2024 and we've been talking about life plans. Life coaches can help us get clarity. Last week we talked with coach Ann Visser about marriage, and this week we spend the episode with Karin Freeland, who coaches women about the workplace and when to exit. Karin and I have a lot in common, especially that unfulfilled feeling that you can't define.

Karin calls herself a recovered corporate workaholic. After experiencing a midlife awakening at 39, she reinvented her life by deepening her spirituality, discovering God's purpose for her life and taking bold action. Now she coaches high-achieving women, helping them achieve success without sacrificing health and well-being.

Karin's website

Six Secrets to Get Unstuck

 

 

Ann Visser co-founded 4 Better 4 Ever with her beloved husband of 42 years.
She has trained couples, young people, students, addicts in recovery, Christian women and professionals ... in the areas of communication, leadership, relationship, mindset and personal growth.

We had such a good conversation on marriage and relationships that we ran a little long this week! 

Ann's website: https://4better4ever.com
Check out her 7-day challenge here.

Come back for next week's episode of the Positively Joy Podcast!