Beauty for Ashes: Noelle McBride’s Story of Faith, Healing, and Life After Divorce

Finding Hope and Healing After Divorce

Divorce is not something most people plan for, but for many, it becomes a life-altering reality. It brings pain, uncertainty, and a need to rebuild life in unexpected ways. In my latest Find The Joy With Jenn podcast episode, I had the privilege of speaking with Noelle McBride, an author, speaker, and mentor who has helped countless Latter-day Saints navigate divorce with faith.

Noelle’s journey from heartbreak to healing is a testament to the power of faith, resilience, and personal revelation. Her story reminds us that even in our hardest moments, God has a plan for our lives—and it’s often more beautiful than we can imagine.

The Closet Moment: When Divorce Feels Like the End

Noelle shared a raw and vulnerable moment from early in her divorce journey—one many of us can relate to. She found herself in a rental home, crying in the closet, overwhelmed with grief and fear about the future.

In that moment, a friend told her something that would become a turning point in her life:

“Noelle, this is not the end of your story. Your story is going to inspire others someday.”

At the time, she couldn’t see it. But in that moment, she had a clear, almost divine impression of a book she would one day write. Though she was barely surviving at the time, the seed was planted.

The Long Road to Healing

Noelle didn’t immediately jump into writing her book. Instead, she spent years journaling, collecting quotes, and processing her emotions. As she found peace and healing, she realized she had something powerful to share with others going through similar struggles.

Her healing journey led her to remarry and build a blended family with six children. But even with a new, happy chapter, the journey wasn’t easy. She described moments of doubt, fear, and the deep work required to move forward.

“I learned to write my book line upon line, precept upon precept. The Lord taught me what He wanted me to share, and sometimes that was really hard.”

Facing the Decision: Faith Over Fear

Choosing to divorce was not a quick or easy decision for Noelle. Like many of us, she wrestled with it, hoping for a way to save her marriage. She prayed, sought counseling, and even ignored promptings for a time because she wanted another way.

One night, she had a powerful dream where she saw two paths. One was dark and desolate. The other was green, full of light, and led toward her divine potential.

“I could not fulfill everything in my patriarchal blessing and the things I had been called to do by staying married to him.”

She woke up in tears but knew she had received her answer. Though it was painful, she moved forward in faith.

Letting Go of Guilt and Embracing the Future

One of the hardest parts of divorce is the guilt and self-doubt that can creep in—whether you initiated the divorce or not. Noelle worked through these feelings with counseling, prayer, and a shift in perspective.

“Just because someone else moves on and seems happier doesn’t mean you failed.”

She had to learn to release feelings of comparison and recognize that her former spouse’s happiness didn’t diminish her worth. Instead, she focused on healing, co-parenting, and trusting that God had a plan for her.

Blending Families: A New Chapter

When Noelle remarried, she gained not only a loving husband but also stepchildren. Blending families came with unique challenges, but she and her husband approached it with patience and wisdom.

One of the most profound pieces of advice she shared was:

“We didn’t expect our children to love each other right away. We just expected them to be kind and respectful.”

By allowing relationships to form naturally, rather than forcing an immediate bond, they created a home where love could grow over time.

Finding Joy in the Journey

At the end of our conversation, I asked Noelle what finding joy in the journey means to her. Her answer was powerful:

“All of my joy comes from my Savior. The grief and sorrow I’ve experienced have carved canyons in my soul, but He fills them with equal measures of joy.”

She reminded us that even when life feels shattered, the Lord is the ultimate author of our stories. If we trust Him, He will lead us to healing, hope, and a future beyond what we can imagine.

Where to Find Noelle’s Book

If you resonated with Noelle’s story, I highly recommend her book, Beauty for Ashes. It’s available through Cedar Fort Publishing, Deseret Book, and Amazon.

And if you're navigating divorce and want faith-centered guidance, I invite you to check out my Faith-Filled Divorce Coaching Program at findthejoywithjenn.com.

Let’s continue walking this journey together—there is joy ahead. 💛