Should I Leave My Family for the Woman I Love?

If you are considering leaving your family for the woman that you love here are some things to seriously consider:
1. Is the grass really greener on the other side or have you encountered a mirage?
2. Have you considered the long term effects on your children?
3. Have you considered how much the divorce will really cost you (see post How Much Does Divorce Really Cost)?
4. Have you sought God to get your marriage restored?
5. Have you sought counseling to improve your marriage?
6. Have you been honest with yourself in terms of your contribution to your marriage failing?
7. Have you had a decent, calm coversation with your wife about how you really feel about your marriage?
8. Have you ever really told her what she could do to help improve your relationship and what you are willing to do to get things together ( See my post Trading Spouse for a New Model)?
9. When was the last time you did something in your relationship to show love and appreciation for your wife?
10. Do you realize that your children will be severely impacted by divorce and some never recover (see my about page for resources)?
11. Have you gone over your marriage vows to remind you of what marriage is about?
12. Have you truly done all you can do to restore your relationship?

Some marriages are too damaged to be restored, but if there is a single ray of hope it just might be worth pursuing seeing that the cost is very high for divorce and the statistical fact that second marriages have a very high rate of failure. If you loved her once you can love her again. If you started off on the wrong foot, God can get both of you on the right foot. Nothing is impossible with him.

1 comment February 9, 2009