seperation advice

[Music4_Him]

I have a friend who randomly IMed me last night to say that his wife just left him. Left it a figurative term here. He's on the other side of the globe for a yr, and she's home with their 1yr old daughter. I'd really like to give him some advice, as far as coping. Not like an operah, just a sentimental sentence, or paragraph. I think something too long would overwhelm him rigt now. I have no experience with this sort of thing. He is still young and has much of his life ahead of him. I'm open to anything. Thank you! and God bless.

 

[AirForceTeacher]

Ouch. Nothing feels more like abandonment than that kind of message while you're that far away. Is he military, is that why he's away for a year?

 

[bkg]

Sadly, there isn't a magic word, statement or paragraph that will help in situations like this. The only thing that has at all helped me is seeking God's face and surrounding myself with other Christians. Prayer should be #1 on his list of "coping mechanisms".

I can't imagine being in his shoes.
bkg

 

[Music4_Him]

Yes. He's in the military. I can't imagine what he's going through either. Thank you both. Any words of sentiment that can help him cope maybe?

 

[AirForceTeacher]

Not really, but you could tell him to contact me. He can reach me through private messages.

 

[bkg]

Not really, but you could tell him to contact me. He can reach me through private messages.

Ditto what AFT said. There's nothing that anyone can say that will make this any easier. All I can say is to seek God's face first and foremost, and worry about the marriage second. If he needs someone to chat with, he can contact me as well.

 

[Music4_Him]

Thank you all. Thats really kind of you. God bless.

 

[desi]

He IM'd you because he thinks highly of you. You know him better than us. Tell him what he needs to hear with the understanding he is probably deeply despondent with access to loaded weapons. Maybe calling the girl will help, if you can persuade her to wait until he's back to start her nonsense...

 

[E-beth]

Sometimes when a crisis happens to someone, all they really need is someone to just listen to them. Let him talk it out, but don't offer advice unless he asks for it.

Basically his world has just crashed in. He probably doesn't need you to get involved, just to be there when he needs some support.

 

[rainyday]

I agree with E-beth ... lend the ear so he can pour out his heart out, even offer to pray with him.

Unfortunately, these things are quite common within the Armed Forces.