Focus on the Family Magazine - February/March 2022

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COUPLES / MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT Additionally, Hope Restored doesn’t end when the few days at the retreat centers are done. An after-care program provides further support, including multiple follow-up sessions over the phone. Special arrangements are made for couples who desire future care, with a view toward long-term relational stability. Over the past 20 years, nearly 9,000 couples have participated in one of these intensive options. Most have already tried other forms of counseling and view the program as a last resort; a high percentage of attendees have already filed for divorce. But research consistently shows that 82% of couples who complete Hope Restored intensives are still married two years later. They also report a much higher level of satisfaction in their relationship. Opening the door Mark Pyatt now serves as the chief of Family Ministries at <strong>Focus</strong> on the Family in the U.S. As he watches couples come to Hope Restored, he identifies with the struggles of the couples who arrive. “Something has been missing in the relationship for a long period of time,” Mark says. “In some ways, one spouse feels like they’re dying emotionally.” He compares the chaos within these marriages to the desperation of a drowning victim. In an attempt to “get air,” one spouse might move out, ask for a divorce or have an affair. “At Hope Restored, we’re not interested in putting you back under the water,” Mark explains. “We want to bring the whole marriage to the surface. Our goal is to see you both whole, healthy, fully attended to and excited about moving forward in your marriage.” Dr. Bob Paul, architect of the Hope Restored program, offers a clinical perspective. “When couples come to an intensive, a husband, wife or both might say, ‘I don’t feel love anymore toward my spouse.’ They think that’s the end of their marriage because the love is gone.” To Bob, hearing that there’s a “lack of love” in the relationship doesn’t translate into a lack of hope. “The only reason the love isn’t there at that point is that the door to their heart is closed and the love is not able to come through,” Bob says. “If we want to experience the fullness of love for our spouse, we start by asking the Lord to let us see through His eyes and feel with His heart. That helps open the door.” Bob points to the question all couples are asked before coming to a Hope Restored intensive: “If God was to work a miracle in your marriage, would you accept it?” Couples must answer “yes” in order to take part in the program. Devoted to unity When both husband and wife are flourishing in who God made them each to be, and working together as a couple, powerful things happen. As Bob puts it: “Marriage is a team sport by God’s design. When you’re on the same team, you either both win or you both lose. There is no such thing as a win-lose outcome in marriage, ever.” The Hope Restored staff is mindful that God is devoted to unity. By inviting Him to work in marriages, they’ve seen how He can take an otherwise hopeless situation and reorient a husband and wife to a path of healing and reconciliation. The bottom line of the equation is simple but powerful: Unity Renewed + Purpose Refreshed = Hope . . . Restored • Scott Johnson is a senior writer in the Ministry Values division at <strong>Focus</strong> on the Family. 24 FOCUS ON THE FAMILY FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022
MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT / COUPLES Hope Restored attendees are invited to share testimonials for future participants to read. Here are samples from recent intensives: “ “ THERE WERE TIMES in the week I was [just] hanging on, but I trusted the counselors, the process—and God to work. I believe our feet have been set on a new path for healing. I feel I’m experiencing a miracle in the making and I’m hopeful and positive as we continue walking in what we’ve learned. WE CAME HERE LOST, scared and hopeless! We didn’t see an end to the hurt and struggle. I felt unsure that [Hope Restored] would work for us and that something would change. But everything changed. I felt heard and seen and cared for—for the first time in a long time. I feel so excited for the future! ” ” “ COMING HERE WAS OUR LAST HOPE to keep our marriage together. I had my doubts, and walls were up in my mind and heart. God had a plan, though! We had two wonderful facilitators/ counselors and three other couples who came together with the tools needed to make our marriage work. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for me and my bride! ” WinShape Retreat, Hope Restored Georgia location FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022 FOCUS ON THE FAMILY 25
Page 1 and 2: ‘YOU’VE BEEN GRACE BOMBED!’ A
Page 3 and 4: FEBRUARY / MARCH Contents Couples 1
Page 5 and 6: Hacks & Facts CLEVER IDEAS FOR SMAR
Page 7 and 8: SPRING BREAK / HACKS & FACTS QUARAN
Page 9 and 10: VALUING THE ELDERLY / HACKS & FACTS
Page 11 and 12: TABLE MANNERS / HACKS & FACTS Slopp
Page 13 and 14: Couples no s’more competition A m
Page 15 and 16: INTIMACY / COUPLES EMILY HAS A HORM
Page 17 and 18: INTIMACY / COUPLES firmly to hersel
Page 19 and 20: A way to keep your marriage fresh a
Page 21 and 22: STRENGTHENING / COUPLES contagious
Page 23: MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT / COUPLES was re
Page 27 and 28: Faith & Inspiration my mom’s heri
Page 29 and 30: LOVE / FAITH & INSPIRATION Practica
Page 31 and 32: LOVE / FAITH & INSPIRATION exclaime
Page 33 and 34: LOVE / FAITH & INSPIRATION AN UPCOM
Page 35 and 36: Kids & Teens Lisa, Addie and Jesh s
Page 37 and 38: INTENTIONALITY / KIDS & TEENS Simpl
Page 39 and 40: LOVE / KIDS & TEENS An explosive ne
Page 41 and 42: LOVE / KIDS & TEENS Bombing. The ca
Page 43 and 44: RELATIONSHIP / KIDS & TEENS Make sp
Page 45 and 46: COMMUNICATION / KIDS & TEENS LISTEN
Page 47 and 48: mom new & daughter devotional Enjoy

Focus on the Family Magazine - February/March 2022

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