From the Ruins | Christian Divorce Recovery & Healing

Michael Chriswell
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  • CHRISTIANITY

Welcome to From the Ruins, the premier Christian divorce podcast dedicated to providing raw, biblical Christian divorce support for those leaving a toxic relationship. If you are searching for practical Christian divorce help and a path toward divorce recovery from a Christian perspective, you’ve found your community. Your Journey from the Wilderness to Resurrection Divorce in the church often carries a heavy weight of shame and silence, but here, we believe that God is the Master of the "What’s Next?" Whether you are navigating the heartbreak of an unequally yoked marriage, struggling with letting go of an ex, or simply trying to master hearing God’s voice in the middle of a storm, Michael and Lisa are here to walk with you. We don't offer generic platitudes. We offer Christian divorce advice forged in the fire of real-world experience. After 14 years of navigating the pain of unfaithful spouses and failed marriages, Michael and Lisa saw the resurrection life of Jesus Christ triumph over death—and they are dedicated to helping you see it, too. What You’ll Find Here: Christian Divorce Support: Real conversations about the "taboo" parts of faith and separation. Divorce Recovery for Christians: Step-by-step guidance on rebuilding your life, your home, and your identity in Christ. Healing from Toxicity: Expert insights on leaving a toxic relationship and finding peace through God’s Word. Spiritual Discernment: Learning to recognize "bread from heaven" and hearing God’s voice when your world is falling apart. Join the "From the Ruins" Community You don't have to navigate the valley of the shadow of death alone. Subscribe for new episodes every week. Get Free Daily Devotionals: Sign up for our "Table in the Wilderness" email at https://www.relentlessheart.com/table-in-the-wilderness Leave a Review: If this Christian divorce podcast has helped you, please leave a rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to help us reach others who are hurting. Beauty comes from the ashes. Life comes From the Ruins.

Episodes

  1. Christian Divorce & Remarriage: Why Legalism is Killing Your Soul

    APR 23

    Christian Divorce & Remarriage: Why Legalism is Killing Your Soul

    Are you fighting to save a marriage while your soul is slowly dying? In this episode of From the Ruins, Michael Criswell dives into the uncomfortable truth that the modern church often ignores: the obsession with "divorce doctrine" has become a form of legalism that values the institution of marriage more than the spiritual life of the individual. If you’ve felt the crushing weight of religious shame or been told you must stay with a "boat anchor" spouse at all costs, this message is the life raft you’ve been looking for. In This Episode, We Discuss: The Gnat vs. The Camel: Why there are 7,900+ verses in the New Covenant, yet the church focuses almost exclusively on the 10 verses about divorce. The 3 Biblical Grounds for Divorce: A deep look at death, adultery (including the spiritual reality of pornography), and abandonment. 1 Corinthians 7:15 Explained: What it truly means when an unbelieving spouse leaves and why the "believing brother or sister is not bound." Saving a Marriage vs. Losing a Soul: The sobering reality of people who "saved" their marriage through compromise but lost their connection to Christ. Tares vs. Wheat: Why God may be removing a "spiritually dead" person from your life to protect your calling. The New Covenant Perspective: Shifting from the "letter of the law" that kills to the Spirit of Christ that brings life and peace. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking Christian divorce advice, navigating an unequally yoked marriage, or looking for biblical grounds for divorce. We tackle the hard questions about remarriage after divorce, healing from a toxic marriage, and how to hear God’s voice when religious tradition is screaming in your ear. Connect with From the Ruins: Subscribe to the podcast for more raw, biblical truth on navigating the ruins of divorce. Leave a Review: If this episode gave you peace, please leave a 5-star review to help other broken Christians find this sanctuary. Join the Community: [Link to Website/Social Media] “The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” — 1 John 2:17 #ChristianDivorce #BiblicalMarriage #FromTheRuins #ToxicMarriageRecovery #FaithAndRecovery Chapters (00:00:00) - Why Remarriage Is Good Enough for You(00:01:17) - How to Tell Fake Messages from Real Ones(00:02:58) - David Paulson on divorce and remarriage(00:09:30) - Reasons for Divorce and Remarriage(00:16:29) - First Corinthians 7:15(00:20:51) - Paul on Unlock the Believer's Marriage(00:29:22) - Proscriptions on Divorce and Remarriage(00:34:48) - The problem of divorce in the Christian Church

    42 min
  2. The Danger of the "Cold Pillow": Waiting on God After Divorce

    APR 10

    The Danger of the "Cold Pillow": Waiting on God After Divorce

    Feeling the loneliness of a cold pillow after a broken marriage? Michael Chriswell offers raw Christian divorce recovery advice for those healing. In this episode of From the Ruins, we dive into the "excruciating silence" that follows the end of a toxic marriage. Michael addresses a common trap for divorced Christians: the temptation to "rush back to Egypt" by jumping into a new relationship to escape the pain of an unequally yoked spouse leaving. Drawing from his own journey of surviving two failed marriages and spousal apostasy, Michael explains how to become a "prisoner of hope." You will learn how to: Hear God’s voice in the midst of heartbreak. Distinguish between fleshly desire and supernatural grace. Find true contentment in Christ while waiting for your "resurrection season." Navigate the "pickings are slim" reality of modern dating with biblical wisdom. If you are struggling to let go of an ex or wondering if you will ever be comforted again, this message is a reminder that God’s "No" or "Not yet" is often His greatest protection. Connect with From the Ruins: Subscribe for more episodes on navigating the valley of the shadow of "death by divorce" and finding the grace to love again. Website: https://www.RelentlessHeart.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FromtheRuinsMinistry Chapters (00:00:00) - Don't Be In a Hurry to Take Back Your Husband(00:01:19) - From the Ruins: Trusting God in the Storm(00:02:44) - How I Learned To Love My Divorced Sister(00:12:43) - Grace's message on remarriage(00:19:12) - Be Very, Very Carefully Before Jumping In the Arms of(00:24:09) - Don't Jump into the Arms of Desire for Your Husband(00:29:46) - How to Comfort Yourself in the Pain of Divorce(00:35:16) - I waited for Perseus to come back to me

    40 min
  3. Waiting for Your Spouse to Return? At What Point Do You Let Go?

    MAR 31

    Waiting for Your Spouse to Return? At What Point Do You Let Go?

    Are you standing on a prophetic word for your marriage to be restored, even after years of silence and separation? It can feel like an agonizing "spiritual Groundhog Day," but what if God is using that very promise to isolate and insulate your heart for a purpose you can't yet see? "In this episode, of "From the Ruins," we provide Christian divorce support for those feeling lost in the waiting. If you've been looking for a Christian divorce podcast that deals with the raw reality of divorce recovery Christian perspectives, Michael and Lisa share how to find Christian divorce help when the path forward is unclear." Michael and Lisa provide deep Christian divorce advice for those struggling with the "when" of God's timing. Whether you are letting go of an ex, navigating an unequally yoked marriage, or trying to master hearing God’s voice in the midst of heartbreak, this message explores why God often thinks in the eternal while we are stuck in the temporal. We dive into the "mysterious dealings" of the Father and how He uses our deepest desires as leverage to bring us into total bondage to Him, eventually leading us to a place of true resurrection and healing from a broken marriage. Welcome to the "From the Ruins" channel. If this message spoke to your heart or gave you clarity in your waiting, please subscribe to join our community and leave a comment below sharing your journey—it helps YouTube recommend this video to others who are hurting. Chapters (00:00:01) - Trusting God in the Storm(00:02:13) - From the Ruins: A Table in the Wilderness(00:03:27) - Sister Sally's reply to Lisa and I's Voice Recording(00:04:08) - A Devotional to Sally(00:06:07) - Keeping the Love of God(00:14:28) - God's Promises to Me(00:18:02) - The Prophecy of My Marriage Restoration(00:25:44) - Waiting for a Promise(00:33:04) - Season of Waiting(00:36:06) - A Table in the Wilderness Devotional

    37 min
  4. DEATH BY MARRIAGE: What God Hates MORE Than Divorce

    MAR 27

    DEATH BY MARRIAGE: What God Hates MORE Than Divorce

    Does God Really Hate ALL Divorce? The Truth About Unequally Yoked Marriages Have you been told your whole life that "God hates divorce" under absolutely all circumstances? Are you a Christian trapped in a toxic, spiritually dead, or abusive marriage, wondering if God really wants you to lose your soul just to save your wedding vows? If you are crying out to God from an unequally yoked marriage, this message is the lifeline you’ve been searching for. For decades, the modern church has weaponized the phrase "God hates divorce" to keep faithful Christians chained to darkness, abuse, and unrepentant sin. But what does the Bible actually say about light having fellowship with darkness? What did Jesus and the Apostles teach about remaining yoked to a spouse who is actively pulling you away from the Lord? In this powerful, eye-opening message, we dive deep into the Scriptures the church rarely preaches on regarding Christian divorce, separation, and spiritual survival. We tackle the hard questions believers are searching for: • What are the Biblical grounds for divorce? • Does God want me to stay with a toxic, narcissistic, or evil spouse? • What does 2 Corinthians 6:14 ("Do not be unequally yoked") really mean for marriages? • How do I apply 1 Corinthians 7:15 when an unbelieving spouse is destroying my faith? • Is it a sin to leave a marriage that is killing me spiritually? God is the Father of Light, and He does not require you to sacrifice your relationship with Him on the altar of a spiritually dead marriage. It is time to step out of the darkness, heal from church-inflicted guilt, and understand God’s true heart for your spiritual purity and peace. Chapters & Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: The Tragedy of a Spiritually Dead Marriage 03:34 - The "God Hates Divorce" Lie & Idolizing Marriage 07:01 - 1 Corinthians 7:15: When to Leave an Unbelieving Spouse 11:17 - John 3:19: Do You Truly Love the Light or the Darkness? 14:17 - 2 Corinthians 6: The Danger of Being Unequally Yoked 18:08 - Hard Truth: Are You Staying for God or for Security? 23:43 - Ezra 10: The Biblical Precedent Where God Commanded Divorce 27:30 - 2 Timothy 3: Escaping Abusive & Narcissistic Spouses 31:22 - The "Dead Corpse" Analogy & Warning Against Toxic Pastors 36:30 - The Spiritual Tug of War: How to Know It's Time to Leave Key Scriptures Covered: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, 1 Corinthians 7:15, Ezra 10, John 12:46, Ephesians 5:3-14. Chapters (00:00:00) - What fellowship can light have with darkness?(00:01:56) - Why I Separated From My Wife(00:08:25) - Flee All Darkness From Your Life(00:13:56) - Stay in the Marriage or Divorce(00:19:01) - How to Yoke Yourself to an Evil Spouse(00:27:32) - If Your Spouse Is Causing You to Sin, Cut Off(00:33:55) - All About Marriage(00:35:30) - God Hates Unjustified Marriage

    40 min

  5. MAR 20

    Don't Be Surprised if God Runs Off Your Unbelieving Spouse

    Are you a Christian trapped in a deeply painful marriage, or facing an unwanted divorce? If your heart is shattered because your spouse is walking away, or you feel spiritually exhausted from trying to save a lifeless marriage, this message was recorded exactly for you. For 15 years, Michael Chriswell endured the agonizing pain, spiritual warfare, and deep depression of a failing marriage. He begged God to fix it, searched desperately for biblical promises to save it, and nearly lost his life to the despair of it all. But in his darkest moment of total surrender, God revealed a profound, life-changing truth about peace, letting go, and His ultimate will. In this powerful Christian testimony and biblical teaching, we dive into what Christians search for most when facing the end of a marriage. What do you do when an unbelieving, hard-hearted, or obstinate spouse wants out? What does the Bible actually say about fighting for a marriage versus letting them go? In this video, we cover: ✨ Surviving an Unwanted Divorce: How to find supernatural peace and joy when your marriage falls apart. ✨ 1 Corinthians 7:15 Explained: What it really means when the Bible says, "If the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace." ✨ Unequally Yoked Marriages: The painful reality of spiritual incompatibility and when God permits separation. ✨ God's Glory vs. Your Marriage: Why making an idol out of saving your marriage can rob God of His glory in your life. ✨ Overcoming Suicidal Depression: A raw testimony of finding hope, laughter, and a renewed will to live after hitting rock bottom. Chapters & Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: God’s Unveiled Power in Broken Marriages 02:18 - Jared’s Testimony: Fighting for a Dead Marriage 04:05 - A Shift in Prayer: From Fixing the Marriage to Total Surrender 05:48 - The Darkest Point: Depression, Panic Attacks, and Despair 07:14 - The Turning Point at the Altar: "God, It's Just Me and You" 08:30 - Experiencing Unexplainable Peace and Joy 09:26 - Fasting, Seeking Direction, and Confirming God's Voice 11:30 - Finding True Freedom Beyond the "American Dream" 13:58 - Michael’s Advice to Christina: Mourning a Broken Marriage 16:21 - 1 Corinthians 7:15 Explained: Letting the Unbelieving Spouse Leave 18:00 - Hardened Hearts vs. Miraculous Marriage Restorations 20:30 - The Pain of Divorce & A Profound Revelation in the Woods 22:11 - How God Uses Separation to Bring Spiritual Revival 25:00 - God's Top Priority: Conforming Us to the Image of Christ 26:36 - Final Encouragement: Be Willing to be Wronged and Trust God If you have been agonizing over whether it is a sin to stop fighting for your marriage, or if you feel abandoned and crushed by your spouse's choices, please listen to this. You are not a failure. God sees your pain, He loves you, and He has a future of peace designed for you. Key Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 7:15, Romans 8:29, Romans 8:7, Matthew 10:34, Matthew 5:39. Visit our main ministry at https://www.RelentlessHeart.com for more biblical truths, prophetic insights, and real-time encouragement for navigating divorce and finding peace in Jesus Christ. Also subscribe to our YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@FromtheRuinsMinistry  Chapters (00:00:00) - God's plan for my life(00:00:52) - Don't Be Ready If God Runs Off Your Believing Spouse(00:09:09) - Michael Criswell on the John 7:17 Challenge(00:13:58) - Michael Criswell Writes Back to Christina(00:14:29) - How to Save a Marriage from Divorce(00:20:26) - Jeff and Christina on Divorce(00:27:08) - Be Christlike and Be Willing to Suffocate

    29 min
  6. Why God Let Your Marriage Fail (The Truth About Christian Divorce)

    MAR 20

    Why God Let Your Marriage Fail (The Truth About Christian Divorce)

    Did God abandon you because your marriage failed? Is divorce the unpardonable sin? If you have been praying for your marriage to be saved, only to find yourself sitting alone in the darkness of betrayal, heartbreak, and crushing religious guilt, you are not alone. Many Christians who experience the tragedy of a broken marriage are treated like outcasts in the church. Weaponizing the verse "God hates divorce," the modern church often leaves victims of infidelity, emotional abuse, and spiritual abandonment feeling condemned by the very God they are crying out to. In this premier episode of "From the Ruins," Michael and Lisa Chriswell share their raw, unfiltered stories of surviving multiple failed marriages plagued by unfaithfulness, abuse, and spiritual death. After enduring the painful sting of church alienation and the agony of a broken covenant, they discovered a profound biblical truth: God cares more about the eternal souls of His children than the temporary earthly institution of a toxic marriage. Join us in this journey as we will be diving deep into the Scriptures to uncover what the Bible actually says about Christian divorce, unequally yoked marriages, and the true context of Malachi 2:16. We will expose the spiritual bondage of remaining tied to an unrepentant, spiritually dead spouse, and share how God miraculously provided the "grace to love again” after we faced such betrayals. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:45 Michael's First Marriage 04:35 Michael's Second Marriage 06:12 Can God Bless a Divorce? 08:59 Why We Started This Channel 11:25 You Will Live! 13:00 The Modern Church's Failure 15:00 Marriages God Hates More Than Divorce 24:52 Welcome to From The Ruins In this series, we answer the questions Christians are searching for: • What are the biblical grounds for divorce? • Is it a sin for a Christian to remarry? • Does God expect you to stay in an abusive or unfaithful marriage? • What does the Bible say about being married to a spiritually dead spouse? • How to heal from the guilt and shame of a Christian divorce. If you are a wounded bird seeking healing, or if you feel like you are dying a spiritual death inside your marriage, there is hope, freedom, and redemption waiting for you on the other side. Visit our main ministry at https://www.RelentlessHeart.com for more biblical truths, prophetic insights, and real-time encouragement for navigating divorce and finding peace in Jesus Christ. Also subscribe to our YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@FromtheRuinsMinistry  Chapters (00:00:00) - The Battle for Soul Marriage(00:00:52) - When Christian Marriages Are in the Ruins(00:11:44) - God Hates Divorce(00:26:33) - God Gave Us the Grace to Love Again

    28 min
  • 6 Episodes

About

Welcome to From the Ruins, the premier Christian divorce podcast dedicated to providing raw, biblical Christian divorce support for those leaving a toxic relationship. If you are searching for practical Christian divorce help and a path toward divorce recovery from a Christian perspective, you’ve found your community. Your Journey from the Wilderness to Resurrection Divorce in the church often carries a heavy weight of shame and silence, but here, we believe that God is the Master of the "What’s Next?" Whether you are navigating the heartbreak of an unequally yoked marriage, struggling with letting go of an ex, or simply trying to master hearing God’s voice in the middle of a storm, Michael and Lisa are here to walk with you. We don't offer generic platitudes. We offer Christian divorce advice forged in the fire of real-world experience. After 14 years of navigating the pain of unfaithful spouses and failed marriages, Michael and Lisa saw the resurrection life of Jesus Christ triumph over death—and they are dedicated to helping you see it, too. What You’ll Find Here: Christian Divorce Support: Real conversations about the "taboo" parts of faith and separation. Divorce Recovery for Christians: Step-by-step guidance on rebuilding your life, your home, and your identity in Christ. Healing from Toxicity: Expert insights on leaving a toxic relationship and finding peace through God’s Word. Spiritual Discernment: Learning to recognize "bread from heaven" and hearing God’s voice when your world is falling apart. Join the "From the Ruins" Community You don't have to navigate the valley of the shadow of death alone. Subscribe for new episodes every week. Get Free Daily Devotionals: Sign up for our "Table in the Wilderness" email at https://www.relentlessheart.com/table-in-the-wilderness Leave a Review: If this Christian divorce podcast has helped you, please leave a rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to help us reach others who are hurting. Beauty comes from the ashes. Life comes From the Ruins.

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