I need advice and prayer support.
A few years ago my wife was friends with a woman, and this woman actively tried to break up our marriage. Granted, we had problems and my wife sought her advice. This was not (is not?) a Godly woman. My wife finally realized this woman was a bad choice and ended the friendship when I informed my wife that our-then 4 year old daughter was asking me questions about terrible things being said about me by my wife and this woman. Recently my wife has slowly started to renew this friendship after this woman suffered a beating at the hands of her husband. I also recently have come back to God with full vigor and enthusiasm. My marriage is doing better than ever, yet the threat (to me) of this friendship remains. My wife says the husband was the reason the couple was unGodly, and that my wife has been talking to this woman about God. My wife, who is strong in her walk with Christ, wants me to trust her. And honestly I do trust her in all respects but this... I just can't find a positive angle on this friendship.
I've been praying that God take this threat away. That alone was hard for me because I was taught we don't pray so specifically for things WE want. It has been suggested to me by my Christian counselor that the place to start is forgiveness for this woman. She has not asked forgiveness. In fact, I doubt she feels she did anything wrong two years ago. I've been almost obssessing about this. I felt so angry and resentful and betrayed, and this 'new' friendship is bringing all that back. I'm not at all happy my wife is doing this... but at the same time I know I've changed, so maybe this woman has changed... and, because my wife was ready to end our marriage (or at least spend some time apart) just a few months ago, I can't exactly push her on this. When I've talked to her, she says she feels like I'm trying to control her (which is what the "old" me would have done), and that I don't trust her.
So my need here is... advice on what you think about me praying that God remove this woman from our marriage; prayer for ME to handle this situation; and, advice .. ANYTHING.. on how to go about forgiving this woman even though she hasn't asked for forgiveness. My renewed walk with God began several months ago and has been strong and powerful.. my wife has forgotten her desire to end our marriage and believes in me. I want to give her what whe wants, I want to be the Godly husband and support her, but I feel REALLY trapped by this one.
Please don't suggest that I talk to my wife and tell her my concerns, she knows. I will say that she hasn't strongly pursued the friendship recently, I think out of a realization it is hard for me. But, I fully expect to hear they are getting together sometime soon.
Thank you.
A few years ago my wife was friends with a woman, and this woman actively tried to break up our marriage. Granted, we had problems and my wife sought her advice. This was not (is not?) a Godly woman. My wife finally realized this woman was a bad choice and ended the friendship when I informed my wife that our-then 4 year old daughter was asking me questions about terrible things being said about me by my wife and this woman. Recently my wife has slowly started to renew this friendship after this woman suffered a beating at the hands of her husband. I also recently have come back to God with full vigor and enthusiasm. My marriage is doing better than ever, yet the threat (to me) of this friendship remains. My wife says the husband was the reason the couple was unGodly, and that my wife has been talking to this woman about God. My wife, who is strong in her walk with Christ, wants me to trust her. And honestly I do trust her in all respects but this... I just can't find a positive angle on this friendship.
I've been praying that God take this threat away. That alone was hard for me because I was taught we don't pray so specifically for things WE want. It has been suggested to me by my Christian counselor that the place to start is forgiveness for this woman. She has not asked forgiveness. In fact, I doubt she feels she did anything wrong two years ago. I've been almost obssessing about this. I felt so angry and resentful and betrayed, and this 'new' friendship is bringing all that back. I'm not at all happy my wife is doing this... but at the same time I know I've changed, so maybe this woman has changed... and, because my wife was ready to end our marriage (or at least spend some time apart) just a few months ago, I can't exactly push her on this. When I've talked to her, she says she feels like I'm trying to control her (which is what the "old" me would have done), and that I don't trust her.
So my need here is... advice on what you think about me praying that God remove this woman from our marriage; prayer for ME to handle this situation; and, advice .. ANYTHING.. on how to go about forgiving this woman even though she hasn't asked for forgiveness. My renewed walk with God began several months ago and has been strong and powerful.. my wife has forgotten her desire to end our marriage and believes in me. I want to give her what whe wants, I want to be the Godly husband and support her, but I feel REALLY trapped by this one.
Please don't suggest that I talk to my wife and tell her my concerns, she knows. I will say that she hasn't strongly pursued the friendship recently, I think out of a realization it is hard for me. But, I fully expect to hear they are getting together sometime soon.
Thank you.