When Divorce & Faith Collide: Finding Strength When Your Marriage Is Ending Ep 56

03/03/25 • 40 min

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Hey friends, divorce can shake your faith to the core, right? Whether you’re struggling with guilt, a fear of being judged by your faith community, or questioning what your beliefs say about divorce, you’re not alone.

What if the very thing you’re afraid of could actually be a source of healing and strength?
In this episode, Kelly Bennett, Esq., chats with Denny Brewer, Board Certified Family Law Specialist, about the impact of divorce on faith. They break down common struggles—like shame, isolation, and judgment—and give real-life insights on getting through divorce while staying true to your beliefs.
Key Takeaways from This Episode:

The “Shame Factor” in Divorce – Why people feel judged and isolated during divorce—and how to break free from that mindset.
Faith’s Role in Divorce – How some churches/places of worship get it wrong by ostracizing divorced members—and how others actually provide support and healing.
Are You Stuck in Victim Mode? – How to recognize if you’re wallowing in self-pity or using your faith to find strength and purpose.
The Power of Forgiveness – What true forgiveness really means (and why it’s actually for you, not your ex).
The Right “They” – Why surrounding yourself with the right people during and after divorce is critical to healing and rebuilding your life.
Faith-Based Therapy & Divorce Recovery – Why religious counseling alone may not be enough and how faith-based therapy can help you move forward.
Making Your Misery Your Ministry – How your greatest struggle can become your greatest source of strength in helping others.

Whether you’re the one filing or the one who never wanted the divorce, this chat will help you find strength, clarity, and a way forward.

Dennis Brewer is longtime family law attorney, and executive pastor and general counsel at Texas mega Church Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas. He is the co-author of the new book, Back to Court: A Complete Guide to Child Custody Litigation.
Want more? Tune in for a bonus episode (coming soon) that continues the conversation om divorce and faith.

RESOURCES:

DENNY BREWER'S BOOK: Back to Court: A Complete Guide to Child Custody Litigation.

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The “Shame Factor” in Divorce – Why people feel judged and isolated during divorce—and how to break free from that mindset.
Faith’s Role in Divorce – How some churches/places of worship get it wrong by ostracizing divorced members—and how others actually provide support and healing.
Are You Stuck in Victim Mode? – How to recognize if you’re wallowing in self-pity or using your faith to find strength and purpose.
The Power of Forgiveness – What true forgiveness really means (and why it’s actually for you, not your ex).
The Right “They” – Why surrounding yourself with the right people during and after divorce is critical to healing and rebuilding your life.
Faith-Based Therapy & Divorce Recovery – Why religious counseling alone may not be enough and how faith-based therapy can help you move forward.
Making Your Misery Your Ministry – How your greatest struggle can become your greatest source of strength in helping others.

Whether you’re the one filing or the one who never wanted the divorce, this chat will help you find strength, clarity, and a way forward.

RESOURCES:

DENNY BREWER'S BOOK: Back to Court: A Complete Guide to Child Custody Litigation.

Previous Episode

Divorce Anxiety is Real—Here’s How to Handle It #55

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Hey friends, let’s talk about something that keeps so many people up at night: divorce anxiety.

If you’re in the middle of a divorce or a custody battle, you know how easy it is to get stuck in a cycle of worry. The “what ifs” never stop, and before you know it, you’re running on empty—exhausted, stressed, and overwhelmed.

But here’s the thing: Worrying won’t change the outcome. What will make a difference is learning how to focus on what you can control. In this episode, I’m sharing a simple, powerful strategy (inspired by Stephen Covey’s circles of control) to help you shift your mindset, lower your stress, and start making decisions from a place of clarity instead of fear.

Here’s what we’re diving into:

Why divorce makes you feel like your brain is stuck in overdrive (and how to calm the chaos)
Are you stressing over things you can’t change? Learn to spot the difference between what’s in your control and what’s not
Break the worry cycle—a simple shift that stops anxiety from running your life
Mediation or court battle? How to know what’s right for your situation (and avoid unnecessary stress and money drains)
Taking your power back—how to stop feeling like a victim and start making smart moves for your future

If you’re tired of losing sleep over your divorce, hit play now—this episode is packed with real, practical ways to help you breathe easier and move forward.

Hosted by Kelly A. Bennett, Esq., a family law attorney and mediator with over 30 years in the family law trenches.

RESOURCES:

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Struggling to bring up mediation with your ex? I have a resource that gives you easy scripts, smart tips, and a quick video to help you start the conversation.
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Next Episode

When Divorce & Faith Collide (Pt 2): When to Turn to Your Church—And When to Look Elsewhere Ep 57

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Divorce can feel overwhelming—even when faith is a big part of your life. Many people turn to their church for guidance, but what if you don’t feel comfortable talking to your pastor? What if the advice you’re given doesn’t match up with what you know is best for you and your family? What is there is abuse?

In this episode, Kelly Bennett, Esq., continues her conversation with Denny Brewer—a longtime family law attorney, Executive Pastor, and General Counsel at Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas. They explore what faith communities often get wrong—and right—when it comes to divorce (hint: especially if there is abuse involved), how to navigate faith-based guilt, what to do if your place of worship isn’t the right fit for support, and why mediation can be the best choice for handling divorce for privacy and mental (and financial!) well-being reasons.

Kelly and Denny chat about:

Why many people feel uncomfortable discussing divorce with their faith leaders

Why pastors and religious leaders should ask, “Is there abuse?”
How abuse can go unmentioned and lead to tragedy
When to seek professional guidance outside of your faith community
Why mediation is often a better option than going to court
Why there is no better time to embrace faith and lean into prayer than during divorce
Plus, a couple of very surprising stories...

Note: This episode touches on abuse and real-life incidents with unfortunate endings. If these subjects are difficult for you, please listen with care.

RESOURCES:

DENNY BREWER'S BOOK: Back to Court: A Complete Guide to Child Custody Litigation.