It’s been a while since I have posted about Saeed Abedini or his ex-wife, Naghmeh. Naghmeh Panahi posted a public note on Facebook yesterday. You may recall that after Saeed Abedini was released from prison in Iran, Naghmeh filed for separation because Saeed would not get help for his abusive behavior in the marriage. Saeed later filed for divorce.
Saeed has continually been contentious, publicly bad-mouthing Naghmeh, while Naghmeh has remained mostly silent for the past year, except for a few Facebook posts with pictures of the family or quoted Bible verses. Naghmeh has also availed herself to counselors who have helped her regarding the abuse she incurred in her marriage. She has shown true godly character in this messy situation.
People who have lived in their own prison of domestic violence, whether it be physical, spiritual, emotional, verbal, sexual, or financial, will understand Naghmeh’s words below.
Facebook Note by Naghmeh Panahi
Confession:
1- Saeed was the first person I ever dated (and married) and is to this day. To this day, I have never dated or even thought of anyone else in that way. Saeed was the only one…which made the heartbreak of the divorce even more painful.
2- 3 years go I had hoped that boundaries and the call to repentance would result in reconciliation and healing for our family.
3- The children and I pray almost daily that God would grant repentance to Saeed.
4- Rebekka and Jacob are still waiting for their daddy to come home and I still see that longing in their eyes. 😭💔🙏
Many of you have not had a loved one in a physical prison, but you know what I am talking about in terms of spiritual prison and bondage. You are praying and hoping for the day when your loved one would repent and a joyful reunion can happen. Whether that will happen for our family, I do not know. I still hope and pray. Unlike the years of Saeed’s physical chains in the Iranian prison where millions prayed and petitioned, this painful journey has been a private one.
Much of the suffering in this world does not make sense as long as we look to this world for answers. Once we can look up and realize that we are only pilgrims on a journey and each and every suffering is preparing us and sanctifying us for our final destination, our true Home, then the suffering becomes easier to bear.
Philippians 3:7-10 (NASB): 7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; (Source)
Related links:
Spiritual Sounding Board 
Personally, my prayer for her is that she and her children might feel unburdened from any obligation to continue praying for or waiting for the man to get his life together, but rather they would release him into the hands of God and begin to fully live their lives free from the perpetually haunting risk of any involvement with him. When my kids and I finally moved on, it brought great freedom, restoration and healing – while their father continues to live in his chaotic, selfish existence elsewhere. Remaining spiritually attached to such a person in any way represents a drain on the soul. I pray she just lets him go…
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I agree 100% with your comment, Cindy Burrell. Naghmeh and her children are living under a great burden. If Saeed never repents, they will probably experience guilt wondering what they did wrong esp the children. Then they may start believing that God is not really good or that He doesn’t care. I pray that they will experience God’s peace and strength and true freedom in Christ.
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Naghmeh, I will keep you in my prayers & can relate to your situation. Continue to keep your eyes on Jesus, for He promised to never leave us nor forsake us. Thank you for being a strong virtuous woman in Christ that helps me be strong in the Lord Jesus Christ as well. The Lord bless you & 👪 & keep you all safe & make His face shine upon you with grace! ❤<>< Isa😊
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