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About the Episode
In this episode of the Hope + Help Podcast, host Christine Chappell interviews Vaneetha Risner about the complex emotional landscape of navigating life after divorce and her new book, This Was Never the Plan: Walking with God Through the Heartache of Divorce. During the conversation, Vaneetha shares her personal journey, discussing the challenges of processing grief, anger, and shame, while also emphasizing the importance of faith and community support. They delve into the role of lament in healing, the necessity of forgiveness, and the hope found in trusting God amidst uncertainty. Vaneetha encourages listeners to engage their pain, seek community, and recognize that rebuilding life after divorce can lead to new beginnings.
Key Takeaways:
- Divorce can bring feelings of shame and isolation.
- Emotions after divorce can be a roller coaster.
- Community support is crucial during difficult times.
- Lamenting is a biblical way to process pain.
- Healing takes time and is not linear.
- Trusting God means leaning into Him during uncertainty.
- Rebuilding life after divorce can lead to new possibilities.
About the Guest
Vaneetha Rendall Risner is the author of several books, including This Was Never the Plan: Walking with God through the Heartache of Divorce and her devotional Watching for the Morning. She lives in Raleigh with her husband, Joel, and writes at vaneetha.com about Christ’s presence in suffering, shaped by her experiences of losing a son, living with a painful disability, and walking through an unwanted divorce.
About the Book
Divorce brings a storm of emotions: grief, anger, confusion and shame. Yet while the ache lingers, life goes on. Vaneetha Risner has walked through this pain. In this hopeful and honest book, she draws from Scripture and her own story to offer compassionate wisdom on finding emotional clarity and letting go of shame, trusting God in the uncertainties ahead, healing relationally, resisting bitterness and finding community, as well as nurturing hope for the future. She also shares about navigating single parenting, church, dating and the work of rebuilding. Whether you are in the early stages of divorce or beginning to restore your life, this book points to Christ’s faithful presence every step of the way. Helpful check-ins throughout invite you to pause, reflect and take hold of God again and again. Includes appendices to guide friends and church leaders in supporting you.
