Divorce

Divorce, like abortion and adultery, has been a longstanding part of human society and is often stigmatized both within and outside religious circles, but Shawn McCraney emphasizes that the Christian response should be one of compassion and refuge through Jesus Christ, rather than judgment. He draws parallels between selecting a marriage partner and making stock investments, suggesting that just as investors use various strategies to choose stocks, individuals employ different criteria—often subject to subconscious and unknown influences—when entering marriage, which sometimes leads to unforeseen challenges and outcomes like divorce.

Investing wisely, whether in stocks or relationships, involves thorough analysis and understanding of intrinsic value, as reliance solely on emotions often leads to impulsive decisions that can result in significant losses, such as selling stocks at a low price or initiating divorce during challenges. By engaging in comprehensive pre-investment investigations, individuals can navigate adversities with a strategic mindset, opting to invest more in both stocks and marriages during difficult times, thereby fostering long-term growth and resilience.

Marriage requires significant effort and selflessness, and when children are involved, it is crucial for couples to work towards reconciliation to minimize the detrimental impact divorce can have on young minds. While biblical views on divorce have been interpreted strictly, each individual must critically engage with their personal circumstances with God to determine the best path, focusing on the spirit of love and responsibility rather than rigid adherence to traditional rationales.

In the teaching, Shawn emphasizes that in many situations, particularly where love and a shared commitment to spiritual guidance are present, couples should prioritize reconciliation and healing over divorce, even in the face of significant challenges such as affairs. He advocates for allowing spiritual guidance to influence marital decisions, suggesting that deep, meaningful changes and improvements in relationships often occur when couples choose not to follow societal or religious pressures to divorce, but rather to work together with a focus on family welfare.