Prayers needed for relationship brokenness in NC

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Mark_in_NC

Guest
#1
Hello

I am a Christian divorcee of nearly 7 years. My wife had an affair with another man - when I found out I immediately forgave her. As part of an accountability process, the ex-wife of the man my wife had the affair with began to communicate. First we were supporters, then we became friends, then we fell in love with each other, and planned a life together - all of this happened over a period of 5 years. Certain you can imagine that this is a unique situation and there are challenges in dealing with the ex-spouses, but we've have learned to work together in most respects.

However, we have both struggled together for the last year with different things and now that she feels its too late for any hope or repair and has ended our relationship. My children had even grown to love her and were also heartbroken when they found out. But I believe that God can change hearts. So for the next 30 days, we have agreed to keep a journal, read through Proverbs, and meet again to see where things stand - this is our recommended to us yesterday when we met for pastoral counseling together. He, too, believes it possible with God's intervening. After nearly 4 years of knowing and loving her, I have realized that I failed her because I didn't do what she needed. I failed her because I am stubborn. I failed her because I'm not perfect. And you can't begin to know how heartbroken I am knowing what I have caused. All of this is out on the table now, she has forgiven, the pastor has counseled, but she is still saying her heart is no longer in it.

So at this point, I am holding onto Jeremiah 32:27 during this time: "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?". I am believing each day that God can fix and repair our brokenness. And for the next 30 days, I will be fasting from sundown to sunup, spending my time in prayer and reading a chapter of Proverbs each night, seeking what God would have for our lives. I believe that God can repair what is broken and can make us a stronger couple than we ever were before.

During this time of separation, we agreed to focus on our commitment without any outside influences - I indicated that I would remain faithful to her during the next 30 days, not entertaining any thoughts, communications, suggestions, or desires from another woman. I am hoping and praying that she agrees to do the same in response to another man and that we both can remain pure in our thoughts and actions. During the 30 days, she and I agreed not to have any communication or visiting with each other. And as you can imagine, not being able to communicate with her in anyway myself directly for the next 30 days will be painful - I am leaning on God and the prayer warriors at our church to help and lift us up together in prayers. Yes, God is good, God can change hearts, God can change minds, and God can change our own personal outlook on the situation if are hearts are open - I pray that God will open her heart.

My question is (based on the article below), is there anything more I need to do? We were not married but had every intention of being married at some point.

What if You’re the Only One Holding On? | Redeeming Marriages
 

CatHerder

Senior Member
Mar 20, 2013
3,551
79
48
#2
I am a Christian divorcee of nearly 7 years. My wife had an affair with another man - when I found out I immediately forgave her. As part of an accountability process, the ex-wife of the man my wife had the affair with began to communicate. First we were supporters, then we became friends, then we fell in love with each other, and planned a life together - all of this happened over a period of 5 years. Certain you can imagine that this is a unique situation and there are challenges in dealing with the ex-spouses, but we've have learned to work together in most respects.
This is confusing. You forgave your ex? There was an accountability process? That implies that there was an attempt at reconciliation. Did you fall in love with another woman while you were trying to repair the relationship with your then-wife? :confused:


 
Sep 6, 2013
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#3
This is confusing. You forgave your ex? There was an accountability process? That implies that there was an attempt at reconciliation. Did you fall in love with another woman while you were trying to repair the relationship with your then-wife? :confused:


I was wondering the same thing.
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,943
4,586
113
#5
I really wanted to offer some understanding and support, but I have to admit I was also wondering: at what point were you both fully divorced from your spouses? What counsel have you received from your church elders and pastors?

I know it's the answer no one wants to hear but maybe this relationship just wasn't meant to be, especially if falling in love occurred while one or both were both still married to their spouse.
 

IDEAtor

Senior Member
Aug 15, 2012
827
19
18
#6
Find a man to talk with in person.
 
M

Mark_in_NC

Guest
#7
I forgave her the day I found out about her affair - Thanksgiving Day 2008. Yes, I wanted reconciliation - but she was already committed to the other man after a 10 month affair. We separated in Dec 2008 and did not seek further reconciliation - we divorced in Dec 2009. The ex and I didn't not fall in love or get romantically involved until July 2011. She divorced in Dec 2009 as well.
 
M

Mark_in_NC

Guest
#8
I really wanted to offer some understanding and support, but I have to admit I was also wondering: at what point were you both fully divorced from your spouses? What counsel have you received from your church elders and pastors?

I know it's the answer no one wants to hear but maybe this relationship just wasn't meant to be, especially if falling in love occurred while one or both were both still married to their spouse.
I forgave her the day I found out about her affair - Thanksgiving Day 2008. Yes, I wanted reconciliation - but she was already committed to the other man after a 10 month affair. We separated in Dec 2008 and did not seek further reconciliation - we divorced in Dec 2009. The ex and I didn't not fall in love or get romantically involved until July 2011. She divorced in Dec 2009 as well. We sought counseling this week.
 
S

ServantStrike

Guest
#9
This is confusing. You forgave your ex? There was an accountability process? That implies that there was an attempt at reconciliation. Did you fall in love with another woman while you were trying to repair the relationship with your then-wife? :confused:




If you read through it some more, it sounds like the woman he fell in love with was the wife of the man who soiled his marriage bed.


It goes like this.

Dude A is sitting at home.

Dude A finds out that wife A cheated with Dude B. Dude A and Wife B are currently victims.

Dude A falls for wife B. Now we're entering romance novel territory.

Dude A and Wife B apparently want to both become AB.




So uhh... who owns the rights to this story? I think it could work with some tweaking. I mean I'd embellish it a bit and turn it into a cheesy screenplay, then maybe sell it to life time (they seem to love this stuff).
 
Sep 6, 2013
4,430
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#10
It's actually not that rare for the two jilted spouses to become emotionally dependent on one another after their wife/husband run off together. After all, they are the only ones who really know how the other is feeling in that moment. Especially if they all knew one another prior to the affair.

Whether that emotional bond would make for a good relationship is another matter altogether. Tragedy does bring people together, but if a relationship is based on that tragedy, how strong is it's foundation?
 

CatHerder

Senior Member
Mar 20, 2013
3,551
79
48
#11
If you read through it some more, it sounds like the woman he fell in love with was the wife of the man who soiled his marriage bed.
I got all that. I was just unclear of the chronology of events. The OP has since explained this.
It goes like this.

Dude A is sitting at home.

Dude A finds out that wife A cheated with Dude B. Dude A and Wife B are currently victims.

Dude A falls for wife B. Now we're entering romance novel territory.

Dude A and Wife B apparently want to both become AB.




So uhh... who owns the rights to this story? I think it could work with some tweaking. I mean I'd embellish it a bit and turn it into a cheesy screenplay, then maybe sell it to life time (they seem to love this stuff).
It's already been done (and this is a remake):

Cousins (1989) - IMDb


To the OP - sorry you are going through this. I hope the counseling helps.
 
S

ServantStrike

Guest
#12
It's actually not that rare for the two jilted spouses to become emotionally dependent on one another after their wife/husband run off together. After all, they are the only ones who really know how the other is feeling in that moment. Especially if they all knew one another prior to the affair.

Whether that emotional bond would make for a good relationship is another matter altogether. Tragedy does bring people together, but if a relationship is based on that tragedy, how strong is it's foundation?


Like the bond formed when going through a traumatic event?

I keep telling myself if I want to go on more dates, I need to start pulling more damsels in distress out of flaming cars. Hey now there's an idea - manufactured crises to land dates.
 
Sep 6, 2013
4,430
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#13
To the OP... the sad news is that you can't really do much on your end if she doesn't want to be with you. It's a very hard truth to accept, I know. We can't make them love us if their hearts are disengaged. They have to do it themselves. Your agreement not to have any contact for 30 days seems counterproductive. How can you grow closer if you are apart? It would be better to attend a couples workshop instead. Regardless, I hope it works out.


The good news is that the Lord is always nearby. He never leaves nor forsakes us. We can survive in this world as long as we have Christ.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
24,914
8,167
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#14
Like the bond formed when going through a traumatic event?

I keep telling myself if I want to go on more dates, I need to start pulling more damsels in distress out of flaming cars. Hey now there's an idea - manufactured crises to land dates.
Why not? It works in all those romance comedies my grandmother keeps watching on Hallmark channel.
 
S

ServantStrike

Guest
#15
Why not? It works in all those romance comedies my grandmother keeps watching on Hallmark channel.
Well what happens when she finds out it was all a ruse?

She dives across the table at dinner and tries to claw your eyes out for putting her in a dangerous situation.


Then again, I have the perfect pick up line for when a woman is attacking me.

"See, you just can't keep your hands off me!"
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
24,914
8,167
113
#16
Well according to all those movies, that makes you the villian if you faked it to get a date. Then the other guy, who was her best friend when they were kids, comes on the scene and... probably punches you out, and he and she live happily ever after. Sorry man.