Title: Living a New Life in Your Family.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18

Reflection: Family is meant to be a refuge—a place of love, support, and growth. But what happens when that sanctuary becomes a source of pain, confusion, or emotional exhaustion? Many people silently endure broken marriages, strained relationships, and toxic dynamics, believing that suffering is their only option. But the Bible offers a message of hope, healing, and new beginnings.

 When Family Fails

Even in Scripture, we see examples of families that struggled:

- Cain and Abel (Genesis 4): A tragic story of jealousy and violence between brothers.

- David’s household (2 Samuel): Marked by betrayal, rebellion, and heartbreak.

- Hosea and Gomer (Hosea 1–3): A marriage strained by unfaithfulness, yet used by God to show redemption.

These stories remind us that brokenness in families is not new—and not beyond God's reach.

 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18

 Overcoming Troubles: Healing begins with honesty. Acknowledging the dysfunction, seeking counsel, and praying for wisdom are crucial steps. The Bible encourages reconciliation, but it also recognizes that peace sometimes requires distance.

- Seek wise counsel: “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” — Proverbs 15:22

- Set boundaries: Jesus Himself sometimes withdrew from crowds and even family to fulfill His mission (Mark 3:31–35).

- Forgive, but don’t enable: Forgiveness is commanded (Matthew 6:14), but enabling harmful behavior is not.

 Can One Leave a Failing Marriage?

This is a deeply personal and spiritual question. The Bible upholds marriage as sacred (Matthew 19:6), but it also acknowledges situations where separation may be necessary.

- In cases of adultery: Jesus said, “Anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” — Matthew 19:9

- In abandonment or abuse: Paul writes, “If the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or sister is not bound in such circumstances.” — 1 Corinthians 7:15

  God does not delight in divorce, but He also does not delight in oppression, abuse, or emotional destruction. If a marriage is irreparably broken, and reconciliation is not possible, God’s grace still covers those who choose to walk away in pursuit of peace and healing.

 Starting a New Relationship: If you’ve left a broken marriage, can you love again? The answer is yes—with wisdom, healing, and God’s guidance.

 - Let God restore you first: “He makes all things new.” — Revelation 21:5

- Don’t rush: Healing takes time. New love should be built on wholeness, not desperation.

- Seek a relationship that honors God: A new beginning should be rooted in faith, mutual respect, and shared values.

 A New Life Is Possible: God is in the business of redemption. Whether your family is fractured, your marriage has ended, or your heart feels heavy—He offers restoration.

 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” — Isaiah 43:18–19

  You are not bound by your past. Through faith, courage, and community, you can live a new life in your family—whether that means rebuilding old relationships or forming new ones.

Your insights and feedback on this topic are valuable. Please share your thoughts with us by sending them to gbemide09@gmail.com or posting on the original channel where you found this content. - ©Dr. Joel Olanrewaju.