I have been a Christian my entire life, I accepted Christ as a child, however, I didn’t really understand it until I was 18 and then I truly accepted him in my heart.
I have been married 27 years but my wife left me 3 years ago. We have three young adult children. My daughters live with her in our family home (I continue to pay the mortgage, utilities, etc) and my son lives with me in a rental. I am close with my kids still. She has isolated herself, no friends, and while she is around her family often, they are not emotionally close, no one on her family really is. Her relationship with her children has become distant, she is alone and refuses to talk to me. There is some sort of mental health issue going on.
In conclusion she has abandoned our marriage. As far as I know, we have both been faithful. I really do not know why she refuses to talk to me. Before she left me, we went to marriage therapy for over a year with a Christian psychologist but she seemed to get worse.
After she left me, we both went to separate therapists. I stayed with the man we were in therapy together with and she went to a women from the same practice.
There are a lot more details but in the end, there is nothing else I can do. She had said she will not take me back and will not communicate with me.
I still love her, I’m broken but I cannot make her love me. I have been told by pretty much everyone that I need to file for divorce as she has completely abandoned us. There seems to be no hope left. I however don’t feel right about that. I plan to stay faithful to my vows and try and live the best I can for my children.
I would appreciate any prayers. If anyone has any experience with something like this, please drop a comment or feel free to message me.
Read the book of Hosea in the bible. Don’t grow weary doing good, and loving your wife is good because it is obedient to your call as a husband. Your marriage is not over because the feelings have changed. You made a vow before God and witnesses for better or for worse.
Continue loving your wife as Christ loves the church. Just as the wife is called to respect and obey her husband in the Lord, whether he is following God’s commandments to husbands, you are called to love her and lay down your life for her even if she is not obedient to His commandments to wives. Your life is a living sacrifice to God, dying to your own desires.
Move back into your family home. Talk to your wife. She is listening, even if she is pretending to ignore you. Pray for her. Take charge over your home, and do not accept defeat. I am not advocating for a hostile or violent takeover, but for steely resolve and loving firmness. Find a church with a solid men’s group to spur you on, pray with you, and keep you sharp as iron sharpens iron. Lean into your faith and this situation will refine you. You’re blessed
It pains me to see that even faithful Christian couples are not even spared by the enemy.
I would start off by saying, I can hear the pain in your message – the pain you are going through.
But I must ask, even at times like these – can you find in your heart to continue to praise God?
That is the test of true faith in God. Remember the story of Job. What is lost, can be restored by the One Almighty.
Next, I would like to pray for you.
Our Heavenly Father, Hallowed be Thy Name – Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on Earth, as it is in Heavens. Give us our daily provisions to provide the sustenance that we need to continue to praise You with all our heart and soul. And forgive us of our transgressions, as we also forgive those who transgress against us. Lead us not into temptations, and deliver us from the evil one. For Your Kingdom, Glory, Power is forever and ever Amen.
Father, I lift up this man to You. May You strengthen his faith and guide him through this difficult season. Pour upon him Your grace, love, and mercy, that he may find peace and comfort in Your presence. Help him to walk steadfastly with You, trusting that You will heal what is broken and bring light into his heart once again. I also thank You for the opportunity to pray for a fellow Christian.
In the mighty name of Jesus! Amen & Amen
I struggle with faith a lot right now. Stories like yours give me hope. Although you’ve been wronged you want to honor your vows – that’s heartwarming. I pray your wife comes back to you. Stay strong.