The Warrior’s Bride: Military Family ResiliencySample

THE PAIN OF PORNOGRAPHY AND INFIDELITY

Pain, even seemingly unbearable pain, is almost always survivable. We may not want it to be. We may wish that someone would just shoot us and take us out of our misery. 

But that’s not how God operates. He loves to send light into our darkness, hope into our distress, and strength to survive what we want to escape. He rarely removes the pain, choosing instead to teach us to live through it and thrive after it. 

Whether the pornography or infidelity is your own or your husband’s, you will be affected, and your response should be the same either way. First, seek help. Be cautious, but find godly counselors that will pray for you and help you out of the place you are. 

Second, seek forgiveness. In these situations as in many others, the problems leading to the use of pornography or acts of infidelity are often complex. This means forgiveness typically needs to be received from the Lord and from your spouse, as well as to be given by you to your spouse. A good counselor can help you walk through this.

Finally, you must stay in God’s Word and continue in godly counsel for the health and healing of your heart and marriage. We must maintain righteousness when we are struggling in our marriages, and strive to keep no record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5)—not because the offense isn’t hurtful, but because your spouse’s truly repentant heart needs grace.

Consider:   

• If your marriage has not been touched by pornography or infidelity, pray protection over it and God’s great mercy on the marriages around you that have.   
• If your marriage has been affected by pornography or infidelity, does any part still cause you pain or doubt? Is there anything you can do to combat Satan’s interference in your life and marriage?

Pray:

Father, today I ask for Your protection over marriage. Open the eyes of every spouse to the dangers around them, and embolden them to fight the enemy’s tricks with Your truth, mercy, and love.