Living On Purpose In Christ | Journaling Prompts, Biblical Encouragement, Aromatherapy, Devotions, Affirmations, God's Peace

86 | Feeling Alone? When Your Heart Loves Jesus and Your Spouse Does Not

• Paula Behrens | Christian Coach, Pastor, Certified Aroma Freedom Practitioner • Season 2

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Ever felt the ache of walking your faith journey alone while married? That spiritual disconnect can leave you wondering how to stay close to God when your spouse doesn't share your beliefs. Today's episode tackles this profound challenge with both compassion and practical wisdom.

Drawing from the biblical story of David and Bathsheba, we explore how even the most faithful among us experience brokenness. This powerful narrative reminds us that God doesn't ask for perfect performance but rather seeks a heart that is honest, broken, and surrendered. If you've spent years trying to bridge the spiritual gap in your marriage or carry the weight of both souls, there's liberating truth waiting for you here.

We dive deep into what forgiveness truly means in an unequally yoked relationship. It's not about sweeping issues under the rug or enabling destructive patterns. True forgiveness releases others to God while maintaining healthy boundaries that protect your emotional, spiritual, and physical wellbeing. You'll discover practical steps to live your faith authentically without becoming spiritually passive or resentful.

Whether you're currently navigating a spiritually mismatched marriage or healing from past disconnection, remember: you are not defined by your spouse's choices. God receives your devotion as a pure and fragrant offering. Through guided prayer and practical application, you'll find renewed hope for your unique journey. Ready to transform spiritual loneliness into deeper intimacy with Christ? Join me for a special Aroma of Christ coaching hour at paulabehrens.com/coaching and discover how to make your devotional life joyful and fulfilling.

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Paula Behrens:

How do you keep your faith strong when your spouse doesn't share your beliefs? That's the winning question. In today's show. We're going to be talking about practical ways to stay close to God and rooted in your faith, even when it feels like you're on this journey alone. But before we dive in, I want to share a moment of authenticity that reminds me God values a willing heart over perfection. Praise the Lord! So grab a seat, breathe in the comforting aroma of your favorite essential oil and prepare for a touch of holy laughter wrapped in grace.

Paula Behrens:

Funny story, when I first began my seminary work while serving two church congregations full-time, everyone assumed I had my daily devotional time perfectly organized. But, truth be told, there were mornings I could barely find five minutes to catch my breath, let alone dive into deep reflection. One day, as I rushed out the door with mismatched shoes, I realized that even in my chaos there was a lesson. Embracing God's grace and self-forgiveness, I realized that true success in my devotional life requires prioritizing my spiritual practices. Are you finding it challenging to maintain your spiritual practices or yearning for a more peaceful, God-aligned day? I'm Paula and I've been there too. Balancing spiritual habits with a busy life can be difficult. I longed for a deeper connection with God, but struggled with consistency. Then I found the perfect approach. If you seek simple ways to deepen your connection with God, this podcast is for you.

Paula Behrens:

You want to grow closer to God. But let's be honest your days are full, your mind is busy and your devotional routine feels more like a struggle than a sanctuary. That's exactly why I created the Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour. This one-on-one session is designed to make deepening your relationship with God simple, peaceful and personal. No pressure, no overwhelm, just a guided, Spirit-led approach to help you reset and reconnect with Jesus in a way that truly fits your life. You won't leave empty-handed either. You'll walk away with everything you need to continue your journey, including a printable devotional planning and tracking guide to help you stay consistent, a beautiful Gospel reading plan that walks you through the life of Jesus, a downloadable prayer journal to reflect, process and pray intentionally, and practical guidance on how to use essential oils to quiet your mind and invite peace into your spiritual practices. You don't need fancy tools or hours of free time. You just need a doable plan and someone to help you make it real. So let's make your devotional life easy, meaningful and refreshingly Christ-centered. It's time to simplify your spiritual life so you can savor it again. Book your Aroma of Christ coaching hour today at paulabehrens. com/ coaching. That's Paula Behrens B-E-H-R-E-N-S . com/ coaching (no spaces). Look for a link in the show notes. All right, it's time to get started. Grab your Bible, dust off your journal, cozy up to your favorite beverage and let's dive in.

Paula Behrens:

Welcome back to Living on Purpose in Christ. I'm your host, Paula, ordained pastor, Christian coach, and your guide for today's journey of transformation. Whether you're out on a walk, driving your kids to school, or simply stealing a quiet moment to yourself with your diffuser running and your favorite blend in the air, I want to thank you for making space to meet with God today. Now, friend, let me ask you something from the heart. Have you ever found yourself in a relationship where you loved deeply, hoped sincerely, prayed earnestly, but still felt unseen, unheard or spiritually isolated? If so, you're not alone. This episode is especially for you, dear sister, the woman who loves Jesus with all her heart, yet finds herself walking through life with a husband who doesn't share that faith. Or perhaps you're someone still healing from the heartache of a past, unequally yoked marriage. Whether you're still praying for breakthrough or curing wounds from a past relationship, you are not forgotten. There is redemption, there is peace and there is restoration available in Christ.

Paula Behrens:

Let's turn to the powerful story of David and Bathsheba, found in 2 Samuel, verses 11 through 12, a biblical story of brokenness. Spoiler alert, this isn't a feel-good love story. It's a story of misuse of power, unfaithfulness, betrayal and death. Yet woven throughout its tragedy is a deeper message of God's mercy, our human frailty and the path to repentance. King David was described as a man after God's own heart, but even he made devastating choices. One evening, as his army was off to battle, David stayed home. In that vulnerable space, idleness opened the door to temptation. He saw Bathsheba bathing, desired her and took her. She became pregnant and instead of confessing, David attempted to cover it up by manipulating her husband, Uriah, a loyal soldier. When that didn't work, David arranged for Uriah to be killed in battle, and just like that, sin multiplied.

Paula Behrens:

You may relate to Bathsheba more than David. Perhaps you've been caught in circumstances that weren't of your own choosing. Maybe you've experienced the spiritual fallout of someone else's sin and you're left wondering how restoration could ever begin. The good news, God sees the pain you carry. He knows how to redeem even the most fractured pieces. Let's pause for a moment here to think about the ripple effect of sin. It's not just something that happens in isolation. David's choices impacted Bathsheba, Uriah, the child who didn't survive, the nation David governed and, ultimately, his relationship with God.

Paula Behrens:

Many Christian women find themselves trying to hold everything together, and maybe that's been you. You've prayed and wept and waited, hoping your husband would one day walk into the faith you cherish. And yet here you are still trying to honor God in the silence, in the tension, in the deep ache of spiritual disconnection. But, like David, we must recognize that unacknowledged sin or unhealed wounds spread. The hidden becomes a heavy weight on the soul. What's covered becomes corrupted. And yet, even in the chaos, God does not leave us alone.

Paula Behrens:

Back to the story. Enter Nathan, the prophet sent by God. He told a parable about a rich man stealing a poor man's only beloved lamb. David, enraged by the injustice, declared the thief worthy of death. Then Nathan turned the mirror on David and said you are that man. Conviction.

Paula Behrens:

That moment was pivotal. David didn't defend himself. He didn't blame Bathsheba or try to shift responsibility. He said simply and humbly, I have sinned against the Lord. This is where everything changes for David. This is where healing begins. Not when he pretended as if he were okay, not when he tried to suppress the truth or excuse his sin, but when he allowed the Holy Spirit to illuminate the broken places within and said, God, I have sinned and I need your help.

Paula Behrens:

But what if you're in a marriage where your spouse doesn't turn to God? It could be tempting to try to carry both hearts on your own, but the thing is this, God did not design you to be the Savior. God only asked you to stay faithful in your own walk, soft, surrendered, courageous and fully devoted to Him. Let's talk about a heart of repentance. It was from that place of brokenness that David wrote one of the most powerful prayers in scripture, Psalm 51.

Paula Behrens:

Let's read verses 16 through 17, where David prayed, You have no delight in sacrifice. If I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Let that wash over you for a moment. If you're not driving in a safe place to do so, close your eyes. Take a slow, deep breath. Now, breathe out any guilt you're carrying. Invite the Holy Spirit in.

Paula Behrens:

God doesn't ask for performance. He asks for a heart that is honest, broken open, and surrendered. If you've spent years trying to be enough, to fix or repair the spiritual gap between you and your husband. I want you to hear this: God isn't asking you to perform. He's inviting you to rest, to sit with Him, broken and all, and receive His comfort and clarity. Sitting in the quiet of God's presence is where the restoration after the storm happens. Though David suffered the consequences of his sin, God did not abandon him. Later we see the birth of Solomon, born to David and Bathsheba. Solomon, the child who would become king and build the temple, is a sign that God still works through broken stories.

Paula Behrens:

Redemption is possible. And friend, I want to speak to your heart today, especially if you are, or have been, in an unequally yoked relationship. Yes, it hurts to walk alone spiritually. Yes, it's confusing when love and faith don't align. Yes, it's heartbreaking when the one who vowed to stand beside you can't or won't walk with Christ. But take courage. God sees you, he honors your prayers and he invites you into a restoration similar to the one David experienced.

Paula Behrens:

You are not defined by your spouse's choices. You are not powerless in the face of spiritual loneliness. You are seen, known and deeply loved by the God who restores. Your testimony, your journey, is not void of value simply because your spouse didn't walk alongside you. Your devotion, even when unreciprocated, is a fragrant offering to the Lord. Are you ready for a closer look into what forgiveness looks like in an unequally yoked relationship? Let's bring this home to reality.

Paula Behrens:

Forgiveness is not sweeping things under the rug, it's not enabling destructive behavior and it certainly is not pretending you haven't been hurt. Forgiveness is releasing the person to God. It's choosing to unlock your heart from bitterness. It's saying God, you are the judge. I trust you to make all things right. You can forgive and still have boundaries. You can forgive and still advocate for your emotional, spiritual and physical safety. You can forgive and still grieve what's been lost.

Paula Behrens:

If you're married to someone who doesn't share your faith, here's what you can do. Pray consistently, but don't try to make things happen. Live your faith gently and boldly. Surround yourself with a godly community. Refuse to become spiritually passive. And model grace, but don't abandon Truth. And if your marriage has ended or if you're still healing from past spiritual disconnection, know that Jesus is not ashamed of you. You are still a daughter of the King and your story isn't over. You didn't walk away from God, you endured, you clung to Him and that, my sister, is the beauty of your unique story.

Paula Behrens:

If you are willing, we can create a sacred moment of healing and prayer. We can create a sacred space together right now. If you have it on hand, I invite you to diffuse or apply Young Living's Release, Forgiveness or Sacred Mountain blend. Pause the podcast right now if you need to, and go and find them. Then, as the aroma fills this space, turn your heart toward God. Let's pray.

Paula Behrens:

Heavenly Father, we come before you with open hands and broken hearts. Like David, we have made mistakes, we've been hurt, we've wandered, we've loved deeply, but we've also suffered deeply. Some of us have felt alone in our marriages. Others have carried the grief of separation. But today we choose to believe you are still writing our stories. Lord, create in us a clean heart. Renew a steadfast spirit within us. Help us release resentment. Help us to walk in forgiveness. Heal the parts of us that are weary and afraid. Give us strength to live with purpose, even in the waiting. And God, for those still yoked to unbelieving spouses, let your peace reign in their homes. Let their gentle spirit reflect your love and in your perfect timing, bring spiritual alignment. Thank you for loving us completely, even when we are broken. We receive your forgiveness and walk forward in your grace. In Jesus' precious and Holy name, we pray. Amen.

Paula Behrens:

Let me close with this. David's story didn't end in shame, it ended in redemption and so can yours. Whether you've walked through reconciliation, separation, or inner healing, know this, God specializes in restoring what feels broken. He brings beauty from ashes, purpose from pain, and joy from mourning. Don't believe the lie that you're too far gone or that your situation is too complicated. You are not alone, you are not powerless, you are not unseen.

Paula Behrens:

If today's episode stirred something within your heart, I want to personally invite you to join me for a special Aroma of Christ coaching hour. In this private, Spirit-led session, we'll sit together with your story, your wounds and your hopes. I'll guide you through a Peace Reset with Young Living Essential Oils to release anxiety, grief and confusion, and we'll begin crafting a devotional rhythm that brings you back to daily intimacy with Jesus. Let's make space for healing and hope together. You can sign up today at paulab ehrens. com/ coaching. That's Paula Behrens B-E-H-R-E-N-S . com/ coaching (no spaces).

Paula Behrens:

Remember, you're not alone. You are deeply loved and your faith journey matters. So keep breathing, keep believing and keep becoming who God created you to be. Thank you for tuning in today and remember, just like setting biblical boundaries, it's okay to say no to things that don't serve you well, like that third piece of cake at the church potluck. If you were blessed by this episode, be sure to share it with a friend and leave a review so that we can reach even more women like you. Check the show notes for all the links. Join us next week as we continue to discover how to live on purpose in Christ. Until then, keep leaning into Him and walking in His wisdom. See you next time.