child support vs "the Law"

The spiritual response to anxiety and depression
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Mom of 6
Posts: 259
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2007 8:05 pm

Post by Mom of 6 » Wed Jul 02, 2008 8:36 am

HI all, I've encountered another problem, I just need some spiritual insight and possible advice in this situation. I am a member of christian womens website, and I've posted my delimma there. Since I've made a few friends here as well, I thought I would ask you all for your prayers. I just copied and pasted my post from the "other" website, so you could get the whole understanding. I know it's long, but if I didn't explain in detail, perhaps there would be a little confusion ;)
anyways, here's the post

"I don't know if this is appropriate to discuss here, or if this is the forum I would use to discuss such a topic, however, I REALLY need some spiritual advice and prayers please.
Unfortunately, I have been through divorce(I know there is some controversy regarding divorce, I've heard it all, never the less, it happened and I can't change the fact.) I do understand NOW, just why God hates divorce. It is painful, stressful and most of all, it affects the lives of the children that are involved (there are 4 of them) This was 12 yrs ago and since then, I have remarried and had two more children= total of 6 children.
Well, My ex husband has NEVER paid child support, although he did give me financial help once in awhile( school supplies, proms, graduation pkgs, etc) but in no means did he even make an attempt to pay out each month as mandated by the judge($635.00). This situation has always caused problems between myself and my current husband. I wouldn't push for child support and "he" felt that I was more concerned about ex husband getting in trouble with the law for not paying, then forcing him to be responsible for the children he fathered. Seriously ladies, I've always waivered back and forth wether or not I was being christian-like by enforcing the issue(CS) "Forgive and Forget" perhaps, "don't repay evil for evil " or "turn the other cheek"
My older children would also play on my heartstrings, such as: "daddy will go to jail" or "please stop the CS, daddy will get his liscense taken away". I eventually surrendered to there pleads and I wrote a letter to my local CS office stating that all demands were fulfilled and I wished to have them stop all proceedings. My current husband was furious, as you can imagine, however, he seen me cry and get "panicky" over each situation that involved my ex. So, that is the meat of this whole situation, however, NOW after 3 yrs of never hearing another thing about child-support, my ex calls this morning asking if I would write another letter, this time to the credit bureaus letting them know that he fulfilled his obligation and to please take the $90,000.00 in arrearages OFF his credit file. After 10 mins. of him explaining this request to me, he asked the dreaded question, Will you do this for me??? I said no. I told him that I did all that I am going to do(by writing that letter a couple years ago) and that if he has to pay the consequences for his irresponsibility, then that's the way it has to go. I felt I was being assertive and personally it felt good, but now I'm left with the question, is this a Christian attitude? Did I say the right thing? I know that we are COMMANDED to obey the "laws of the land" the bible is strict about that. Arizona State law(which is where the divorce was filed) has a zero tolerance law for "deadbeat Fathers". Whether the respondant/Plantiff wants the other to pay CS or not, it's the law and whomever doesn't have the children is required to pay. So, I guess I'm wanting to know your opinions on such a delicate subject. I appreciate all opinions!
thanks for your time and please pray with me for this situation.
God bless
Robin


So, that's my situation, any advice?
Take care and God bless you all
"O God, you are my God. Earnestly I seek you;my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is BETTER than life,my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name, I will lift up my hands." Psalms 63

Guest

Post by Guest » Wed Jul 02, 2008 2:35 pm

Hi Mom of 6,
While pondering about any advice I could give, I was wondering if it would be a lie to tell the credit bureaus that your ex-husband has fulfilled his obligations. In other words, would you be offering a waiver or actually saying that he has given you the money when he has not. I'm not trying to confuse the issue, it just appears to me that this could be an issue as well in settling things from a spiritual point of view.
Wishing you the best,
GIL

P.S. Thanks for the encouraging messages that you share.

Holly J
Posts: 367
Joined: Thu Mar 15, 2007 10:22 pm

Post by Holly J » Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:22 pm

Hey Robin, you might want to have a Pastor get into the scriptures a little deeper with you. Cuz I don't remember where I saw it but it says more than brother or nieghbor shouldn't sue eachother and stuff. If he owes the money.....he needs to pay it. I am only giving you MY opinion, BUT he needs to pay period! He was the one to hurt you and the children by not paying, though I don't know BOTH sides here and can't pick or choose, he was RESPONSIBLE for something and he fell through. He could have bargained in court or with lawyers present to reduce monthly payments if you chose to also....It didn't happen! I'll pray that God who understands EVERYTHING IN LIFE will guide you through this.
Last edited by Chief Crazy Horse on Sat Nov 14, 2009 12:29 am, edited 1 time in total.
"Come to me, all who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)"

Guest

Post by Guest » Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:30 pm

Robin,

I do think that you have done the right thing. I have been in a similar situation with my ex and I haven't fought with the paying child support at all. I have it over to the child support enforcement and they have gotten some money. But he isn't allowed to see my daughter and hasn't in about five years so I see it as if he doesn't pay there is no loss to my daughter. I don't think that you should tell the credit bureau that his debt is paid or say that it is takin care of because that would be lieing. I would say that you and your children have suffered enough and now he is reaping what he has done. I do think that you are doing the right thing because you have already let him off and he has had plenty of time to fix it but obviously he hasn't done anything. I have heard many preachers talking about the man being the head of the house and taking care of their children and the family and it sounds to me like he could have done the right thing, but instead he has figured that he could get you to just write it off. I wouldn't do anything and I don't think that the Lord expects you to do anything further. Not only did he not pay for his children but they have suffered because of all of this and then stuck them in the middle and the example should have been that you take care of your family and I am sure that if they are giving you grief for anything then when they are older they will understand. I would listen to your husbands opinion on the matter and I am sure that he agrees with you in your decision. I know that it is hard on you but you are doing the right thing and he should have paid what he was suppose to and now it is on his credit and that is him reaping what he has sown. I wouldn't think of it any longer. I would hand the entire situation over to the Lord and let him deal with it. If he asked me anymore I would tell him that an example needs to be set for your children and that when you don't do what you are by law suppose to do then you will reap it. I hope this didn't sound to harsh but I can't believe that he wouldn't pay or anyone for that matter for their children. I can't imagine.

Lord Jesus, please give Robin peace about her decision. Lord, let her know what to do in any situation regarding this issue and bring her comfort in knowing that what she has done is right. Please Lord take the anxiety away about this and any other issue Lord and let her children see that what she does is what you want her to do. Lord build their family strong all together and keep peace in the household. Lord I ask you to open her eyes to what needs to be said and done in situations regarding this issue and any other that may come about. Lord I ask you to bless her and her family and show them that you are there and you are listening to all their prayers. Please guide her steps in the order in which you want them. Lord I thank you for all the things that you are doing with that family and what you are doing to keep them all a strong peaceful family. I pray this in your mighty name, Lord Jesus, Amen.

You will know what to do.....God bless you! You have no idea what an inspiration you are to so many. God will bless you for doing the right thing and doing what he wants you to do. God bless you and your entire family!

Jennifier

Guest

Post by Guest » Wed Jul 02, 2008 6:20 pm

I would like to thank everyone that replied! I don't know what I would do without God and this program!!! I know this is a delicate issue, regarding divorce, remarriage and such, so I appreciate your honesty. Most of all, I appreciate that no one judged me for having gone through all of this and remarrying. Again, I know that this is a touchy subject to some believers.

Gil, I would like to thank you for an "uhha" moment. Toung in cheek, if you will. :roll: To be honest with you, I was soooo concerned with the fact that he's been so irresponsible all these years that I didn't even consider the fact that what he was asking me to do was LIE :mad: AGAINNN... I know now it was wrong(the letter I wrote a couple years ago)and this is just what Satan wanted me to do! Yes, this is a spiritual issue now and I have to thank you for making that apparent to me! I appreciate your imput!Bless you for YOUR honesty :)


David, I have actually been contemplating on making an appointment with someone from my church, As I want to do everything according to Gods word. I know if I go outside of his will, nothing will work out. Yes, I have read before that we are obligated to paying off our debts. that is definately biblical. The bible also speaks of obeying the "laws of the land" and this situation was enforced by the courts. IT IS his responsibility PERIOD!!! Thank you for your advice ;) and especially praying for me, I really needed that! God bless you and keep you :)

Jennifier,
AS I read your post, and thank you ever so much for your insight, a scripture that stuck out in my mind was "do not move, wait upon the lord".. "those who wait upon me, I will renew their strength"... :D :D :D I know that I am doing the right thing now, I guess I just felt that maybe I didn't convey it to him in a christian way. Assertively? I so appreciate your prayer, I feel better already since reading these replys. It's another spiritual battle and with the grace of God, I will win this one too! God bless you and yours and peace be with you!



Robin

Guest

Post by Guest » Mon Jul 14, 2008 12:41 pm

hi Mom of 6
I believe God would want you to take care of those 6 kids the best you can before your ex.I hope you consider them before him every time and if possible,make him pay so you can care the best you can for them.I believe the post was all about him and if you would not be a good Christian if you made him pay,but the kids are in this picture also.Please focus on them more than him.Whats best for them?By all means keep praying for God`s will to be done first and foremost.
Take care
Tommy

BKB
Posts: 5
Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2006 5:22 pm

Post by BKB » Tue Jul 15, 2008 2:40 am

I think you are right not to lie for your ex-husband.

1. You don't want that to weigh on your mind.

2. Like it or not, this was an obligation the court gave him, on your children's behalf. This isn't you doing it. It seems to me that this falls under the "Give to Caesar, what is Caesar's." We may not like it, but we all have "taxes" levied against us. I'm assuming he's given the financial burden excuse for not making payments. Well, I'm sure there were plenty of financial strains you and the kids had to edure because of this. That endurance was turning the other cheek, not lying for him now. How has this played into adding to your depression & anxiety?

3. As Christians, we are taught not to judge others, to take the 'low road', turn the other cheek. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I don't think we're supposed to be walked on either. His irresponsibility is not your burden to carry. It's his. Don't be an enabler.

4. Your husband is correct. You may not like it. It may cause strife. But he is right to be upset with your ex for not being the man he's supposed to be. You're husband, is your husband. Keep the peace with him. Without a strong, healthy marriage, the rest will fall apart. Keep strife out of your house as much as possible. Your ex isn't worth causing that.

God obviously leads you. Follow the light at your feet. You have the answers. You just need to listen and act on them.

Thank you for all of your posts. Your words are so inspirational. You are a beacon.

God Bless.

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