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need some real guidance

d8n0g

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Hello,

I have been married for nine years and three weeks ago my wife said she wants a divorce. she say's she has never felt a connection (which is something, i feel, is untrue). I haven't been the best husband, I must admit but there has never been any cheating on my part. I have been blind to my wifes needs after for nine years and didn't realize it until she was done.

My wife has had a hard life and is in therapy right now. Actually she was doing sand therapy and said she felt different after that session. Her therapist doesn't agree with what she is doing. In a nutshell she has never experienced any freedom and say's she wants to be selfish for now, and has nothing left to give anyone besides our daughter, and is seeing someone. She realizes that asking me to be her best friend is selfish.

She thinks that if she lets me back in we'll be in the same spot in six months, and she doesn't trust me emotionally, and feels nothing for me romantically for me. I'm ashamed of myself for never loving my wife the way a woman should be loved, and I was never the spiritual leader in our relationship. I have seen the error of my ways and want to be a real husband-and yes it took me nine years! Will I truly redeem myself here by sticking by her side, and crying my eyes out, feeling ripped apart (feeling what she felt for 9 years)? Also, she says she's not filing papers out of respect for my feelings. We also have an adopted three year old who knows that there is something going on, and really feel sad that we can't be a true family unit.

i'm not mr. Innocent but what she's doing doesnt sit right with me. The only thing that feels righ to me is to stand by her side and show support-is that pathetic or just someone who loves his wife unconditionally? I feel if i give her hell i'm only going to push her away. Right now she's sick and i'm taking care of her-that man isn't going to do that. Also, she said last night that she misses me and two days ago that she loves me. No one supports her in this and i feel like a fool for still loving her. I've seen it written all over her face that she still has feelings, and doesn't want to hear that our marriage is salvageable. This man is going through a divorce himself- Speaking of this man, she says he had nothing to do with out split and was after the fact.

She get's so so angry that I've found God in my desperation, and that I acknowledge now what I wasn't giving her. My feelings are shame, regret, the deepest love that I have felt for anyone for her, and a real relationship with God. What can I do to show her That I've changed?
when I was 17 I formed a dependency to marijuana and acid, and became an addict. Went to a shelter for help and got clean literally-haven't touched a drug for for 12-13 years.
I was in the shower today and had a reflection of my lack of communication, and lack of intimacy, among other things through our marriage and realized that even though I'm clean-I still carry the behaviors. I've never cried so hard in my life, and literally felt a weight lifted off my chest. I thought I was going to vomit it hit me so hard, In the midst of losing my wife I've never had so many emotions and feelings, and I'm grateful for them. I am so ashamed for what I've done to her, and have put her through hell-I am probably feeling the same way she felt throughout. I haven't mentioned this discovery for many reasons, one being she needs actions!! We are still a family and are best friends-seriously.
That being said. She still wants a divorce. "if we get back together I want a clean slate and have the wedding I've always wanted. If not I'll probably never marry again"-her words. I have formed a relationship with God, who has always been there but I wanted a relationship with him/her on my terms.She (wife) can't promise reconciliation for reasons of not wanting to be in limbo. So, I give her her space, don't pry, don't ask her where she is going, and give her respect. When I pray I hear (not audibly) "work on yourself, work on yourself, but don't lose faith, it'll be taken care of". I made a vow to God to always serve my wife-she will always be my wife in my eyes-meaning to not be unfaithful, or date but to work on myself. I am now stuck with the fact that our lack of connection/intimacy, and not giving meaningful answers, not doing all the things that loving husbands should do is the result of unattended addictive behaviors. she needs me here through her journey but not as her husband. Also, she says reconciliation may take a while but not promised.

if there are questions please ask
Any thoughts on this or guidance would be great!
 

Psalm63

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Now would be a very good time to invite her to attend Retrouvaille with you.

After your weekend, be sure to keep going to the post sessions which are worth their weight in gold and totally free.

That being said. She still wants a divorce. "if we get back together I want a clean slate and have the wedding I've always wanted. If not I'll probably never marry again"-her words.
To me, her words sound very HOPEFUL! Right now she is hurting and trying to protect herself from more hurt, but she sounds open to reconciling with you.

Very cool about you coming into a deeper relationship with the Lord through this! God will help you. Keep pressing into Him!
 
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d8n0g

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What about this other man she openly admitted sleeping with and states she can't let go of right now? Although she states she's not in it with him for the long haul but he is the only one right now that doesn't judge her. She says he told her if your marriage can be fixed than fix it-he's a good guy. that didn't stop this good guy from causing me the same pain that his wife (now divorcing) supposedly caused him. I know my job to my wife and the vow I made to God but sometimes my feelings get in the way...

also, I've been so detached from god that that feeling of us getting back together and that voice that tells me everything will be ok is just my unrealistic optimism. The only power I have right now is to pray and just talk to him/her-when the bible gets involved I feel for right now it's a barrier between him and I. I don't even know how to read it .
I forgot to mention that her major is religion.
 
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Psalm63

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I'm sorry there's OM :( I skimmed your OP and missed that.

I would still tell her you looked into Retrouvaille and would like to go together in an attempt to heal your marriage but it is not an option so long as there is a third party involved. Send her the link to the website with a polite note about your desire to have a healed marriage and a new beginning with her and you looked into this but they won't accept you into the program as long as there is a third party involved.

And I would leave the leadership to her on it, since she broke the covenant. Tell her that if she breaks up w/OM at some point, you are willing to consider an invitation from her to attend Retrouvaille.

Meanwhile, press into the Lord and grow in Him.
HE will NEVER leave you nor forsake you!

 
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ShainaBrina

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How about "The Love Dare" by written by Alex and Stephen Kendrick

It is the book in the movie "Fire Proof".

If you want to work on your marriage... the beauty of this book is that it helps you work on you, while giving you dares to carry out that will help bring healing. You don't have to tell her you're doing it... probably shouldn't...
 
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lindart

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You had your affair with drugs and she saw you through this. She is having her affair and what you have left is to see her though this, in a nutshell.

The heart of this nut is that you both betrayed each other and your children with your affairs.

Now, enter God.

Both of you need to make God your priority, the bedrock of a good marriage and a stable, loving environment for your children. Your first responsibility is to your children, not your illicit affairs.

Yep, we all have our regrets but the most painful, forever regret, outside of God's forgivness, is that we betrayed our responsibilies to our children. The other 'stuff' pales in comparison, in my honest opinion. I know this, from my own personal experience.

The both of you CAN redeem this situation before it's too late. Please share this with your wife. I care very much! May the God of all healing and true love touch your hearts and turn it back to Him! :prayer: :hug:
 
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d8n0g

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could someone tell me the psychological effects of no one-absolutely no one supporting her decisions and taking my side. [bless and do not curse]she feels shunned. this doesnt make me happy because she has no one and i want to be there for her. [bless and do not curse]is that non support in my favor. shes at her brothers talking to him and im sure he's giving her an earfull....also, midlife crisis is a word from others i keep hearing but shes only 28
 
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lindart

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d8nog, remember she is 'out' there by her choice. You don't rescue her 'out' there. This is not your job. This belongs to God and only He can bring her back. Your job is to continue in your walk with God, as you said that you are doing. If you rescue her from her discomfort she will not 'hear' God and may interpret your actions as controlling for your own gain. In all, do as unto God and God will take care of the rest.
 
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Psalm63

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hey guys.

i have one question. she doesnt understand why im so upset about divorcing, she says the only thing we're losing is sex. that really hurts my feelings. it just doesnt feel right even thinking of a divorce, it also does.t feel right not to fight........

I'm glad you came back because I found the one article which I really thought might be helpful to you:

Hope for couples in crisis | Divorce & Separation | Marriage

Keep bringing your pain to the Lord! He loves you!
 
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d8n0g

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hi thanks for the article-ive started to put it into practrice.

well in that non support, she just feels that no one understands her, our dynamic, and are just old school. she feels while in therapy during this awakening she grow as my wife and this divorce will set her free? its not her therapist-she said this is not a good idea. in a nutshell while raising her brothers and her mom and not living as single as a young adult she feels she needs alone time. i think this awakening (which i believe is real), is making her lose track of her priorities. she said that if this divorce is a sour one i.e. bitter, cold, and not being best friends will be my fault. im not the one who made our house feel like a wet blanket. im going out of town on thursday and wont be back until christmas eve and my daughter is coming. maybe this will wake her up. i told my wife to take a good look at our house while we are away and deal with the silence because thats how it will be after the divorce...... why she wont let me grow with her is beyond me. my child is starting to revert to old behaviors, such as being scared to be alone. i discussed this with my wife already and she sees it as me using a manipulation technique or says oh shes just 3? like i said im going out of town until christmas eve so im hoping lack of communication will stir something in her. in the end shes a grown woman and makes her own choices. i feel that holding onto my vows even in divorce is not unhealthy. i just hope while im gone and with my prayers her emotipns will stir.
 
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d8n0g

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i must say the tough love is working. the past two days i wasnt saying much just one answer questions. today i loosened up with thw attitude, and acted as if nothing ever happened-going about my own business. she keeps giving me these weird looks, not angry. she also keeps gravitating towards me. inside i want to grab her and hug and kiss her.
 
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Psalm63

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hi thanks for the article-ive started to put it into practrice.

well in that non support, she just feels that no one understands her, our dynamic, and are just old school. she feels while in therapy during this awakening she grow as my wife and this divorce will set her free? its not her therapist-she said this is not a good idea. in a nutshell while raising her brothers and her mom and not living as single as a young adult she feels she needs alone time. i think this awakening (which i believe is real), is making her lose track of her priorities. she said that if this divorce is a sour one i.e. bitter, cold, and not being best friends will be my fault. im not the one who made our house feel like a wet blanket. im going out of town on thursday and wont be back until christmas eve and my daughter is coming. maybe this will wake her up. i told my wife to take a good look at our house while we are away and deal with the silence because thats how it will be after the divorce...... why she wont let me grow with her is beyond me. my child is starting to revert to old behaviors, such as being scared to be alone. i discussed this with my wife already and she sees it as me using a manipulation technique or says oh shes just 3? like i said im going out of town until christmas eve so im hoping lack of communication will stir something in her. in the end shes a grown woman and makes her own choices. i feel that holding onto my vows even in divorce is not unhealthy. i just hope while im gone and with my prayers her emotipns will stir.

:thumbsup: Well done!
May you remain strong in the Lord and in His mighty power!
 
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