"God wouldn't want me trapped in misery—He'd want me happy even if that means divorce."
How it sounds in your head: A good Father wouldn't force you to stay in something that makes you this unhappy. Other Christians have divorced and seem fine, even thriving. Maybe the 'no divorce' teaching is legalistic and God's grace covers moving on. Your mental health matters and this is destroying you.
"Yet you say, 'For what reason?' Because the LORD has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously; yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant. But did He not make them one, having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth."
-- Malachi 2:14-15Modern theology twists grace to excuse covenant-breaking, making feelings the ultimate authority.
You see others who left difficult marriages and appear happier, and your own suffering feels unbearable. Surely a loving God prioritizes your wellbeing over ancient rules about covenant.
God told Hosea to love his wife 'who is loved by a lover and is committing adultery'—to STAY in the most misery-inducing situation imaginable. Hosea's happiness wasn't the goal; displaying God's covenant faithfulness was. God's instruction was the OPPOSITE of 'do what makes you happy.' The breakthrough came through obedience, not escape.
I REFUSE the lie that my happiness trumps covenant faithfulness. IT IS WRITTEN that God witnesses my marriage covenant and calls me to honor it regardless of feelings. My joy is not found in circumstances but in OBEDIENCE to the One who keeps covenant with me. IT IS WRITTEN that He who began a good work will complete it—my marriage is HIS project, not mine to abandon. I am under the BARAK blessing that sustained impossible marriages for covenant purposes. God is not withholding breakthrough; He's building character that will carry the blessing coming. I choose covenant over comfort, knowing breakthrough follows faithfulness.
The Father isn't saying 'Be miserable forever'—He's saying 'Stay in position for the breakthrough I'm about to release.' He didn't keep Hosea in misery permanently; He used obedience as the doorway to demonstration of resurrection power that became a book of the Bible.