“There are many aftershocks to the earthquake of divorce” according to Dennis Rainey. One of the most devastating is the emotional trauma that it causes in everyone concerned. All suffer; parents, children, the divorcing partner, the divorced partner, the friends of the partners the employers of the partners and the community at large. But emotional trauma is only one of many aftershocks that are caused by divorce. Another of the “aftershocks” of divorce involves all the financial hardships that are created because of it. Rainey says, “One of the realities of divorce is that if children are involved, typically the result is that a single-parent woman may face some severe financial needs as she has to maintain a separate household on a less-than-adequate income. While the husband may not have to bear as many day-to-day financial burdens, he too may experience financial pressure and a reduced standard of living.” Regardless of what era of life a divorce takes place it always involves a reduced standard of living for both parties.

Divorce has tremendous financial aftershocks. This is obvious and well known by all those involved. Yet the financial burdens that are created are not only experienced by the divorcing partners. Divorce researchers consistently argue (see http://www.divorce.usu.edu/files/uploads/Lesson7.pdf) that “Divorce is financially stressful. Researchers estimate divorcing Individuals would need more than a 30% increase in income, on average, to maintain the same standard of living they had prior to their divorce. About one in five women fall into poverty as a result of divorce. Three out of four divorced mothers don’t receive full payment of child support. Most men experience a loss in their standard of living in the years after a divorce, as well, a loss generally about 10%–40%, depending on circumstances. Divorce impacts communities, as well. One study estimated the average cost to Utah taxpayers of a divorce to be more than $18,000. At about 10,000 divorces a year, that adds up to more than $180,000,000 of taxpayer money. Another national study estimated the cost of family breakdown in the United States at more than $100 billion a year and, in Utah, about $276 million a year.”

God hates divorce but he loves divorced people. His hatred of divorce is wrapped up in His hatred for sin. God’s purposes and plans for man always involve what’s best for us. He doesn’t direct us to follow absolute standards in life because he’s trying to keep something good from us. No! Indeed, He’s love for us is such that he always wants what is best for us. It’s Satan’s ploy to get us to doubt God’s good intentions and think that we must partake of the forbidden fruit if we’re going to be happy and satisfied in life. The true meaningful life is found comfortably in the center of God’s will. Proverbs 3:5-6 give us the most profound truth imaginable. It says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your paths strait.”