Assist Divorced Fellow Believers​—How?

You probably know someone who is divorced. That is because divorce is very common. When people get divorced, they have to cope with painful emotions. They may feel anger, regret, despair, and shame. One brother said: “When we divorced, my ex-wife prevented me from seeing my two little girls. That led me to feel that no one cared for me anymore and even that Jehovah must have abandoned me. I lost my desire to live. In time, I realized how wrong my thinking had been.”

After a divorce, some may also feel that the brothers and sisters in the congregation no longer care about them or do not understand their feelings. They may think that others are judging or avoiding them. But later, as divorced ones adjust to their circumstances, they may realize that others actually showed them much love and understanding.

Even though we may try our best to help a divorced brother or sister, he or she may still feel lonely and rejected at times. One sister says that even eight years after her divorce, she sometimes still feels unloved and sad. At such times, she just wants to be alone to cry.

It is important that those who are divorced do not make a habit of isolating themselves. (Proverbs 18:1) At the same time, they need to be careful not to make a habit of seeking comfort from someone of the opposite sex. Doing this could lead to improper romantic feelings.

When our divorced brothers and sisters feel lonely, rejected, and anxious about the future, we want to try to understand their feelings and do what we can to assist them, in imitation of Jehovah. (Psalm 55:22; 1 Peter 5:6, 7) We can be sure that they will appreciate the help we give them as true friends.​—Proverbs 17:17; 18:24.