Sometimes the wife cheats and then abandons

She [the adulteress] gives no thought to the way of life;     her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it. -Proverbs 5:6, NIV Sometimes, the wife decides she would rather live life as a single person. What makes this especially painful for those of us left behind is how shame is compounded to this … Continue reading “Sometimes the wife cheats and then abandons”

Your best days are ahead of you!

The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. -Job 42:12a, NIV A lie the Enemy wants you to believe is that your life is over following adultery discovery and divorce. He wants you fearful that all that is left for you is awful following a divorce from a cheater. Some “Christians” … Continue reading “Your best days are ahead of you!”

Familiar abusive approach

“I don’t want to hear any more about what he did to you. What we need to talk about is your NEED to forgive!” -Christian “friend” Some Christians seemed flummoxed by the faithful spouse’s recoil at such a response to their situation. What these “friends” fail to see is what they actually saying and doing … Continue reading “Familiar abusive approach”

Possible to repent? Sure. Likely? No.

As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly. -Proverbs 26:11, NIV Within the Christian community, so much pressure is placed upon faithful spouses to “reconcile” with their cheating partners. Sometimes lip service is given to the importance that the cheater has actually changed and will not cheat again. However, the general … Continue reading “Possible to repent? Sure. Likely? No.”

Speaking at Chumpalooza 1.0 in two weeks!

In two weeks, Chumpalooza 1.o kicks off in Maryland! I am so excited to be a part of this conference for faithful spouses–i.e. chumps–where I will get to put faces to online names. I am scheduled to give two talks at this event: 1. Moral Injury and Why Healing from It Can Be So Difficult … Continue reading “Speaking at Chumpalooza 1.0 in two weeks!”

Hold fast to truth!

“Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” -John 18:37b, NIV Truth: You did not drive your spouse to cheat (and abandon you). Truth: You do not deserve to be abused, (and cheating is abuse.) Truth: Divorcing a cheater is not sin. Truth: Divorcing an unrepentant cheater is not dooming your kids; rather, you … Continue reading “Hold fast to truth!”

The “Emotional Affair” Blameshift

“Well, I wouldn’t have cheated with her if you had paid me more attention,” says Cheater. “He listened to me. This is just a cry for help,” says Cheater. A major danger with emotional affairs is to underestimate their damage and to take them lightly. My first marriage’s ending started with a series of “emotional … Continue reading “The “Emotional Affair” Blameshift”

The “drug” of attention

When someone feels unlovable, I believe emotional affairs hold an especial allure. The temptation is to fill a legitimate need through sinfully illegitimate ways. A cheater takes their need to feel lovable and turns to the world to make them feel worthy of romantic pursuit. This might manifest through evenings at bars where she welcomes … Continue reading “The “drug” of attention”