Healing from Infidelity

Is there such a thing? My answer from first-hand experience says a resounding “yes.” Folks have asked the details. How did it happen? How did you find out? What did he do?

I look back at that time, how devastated I was. But those memories are like a difficult work-out—it hurt; at times it stung. But afterwards the results made us both stronger.

What was the secret? There was none. Forgiveness is no secret. It's as big and bold as a billboard written across the pages of God’s Word. Can’t miss it, can’t overlook it either.

So I gulped hard at the circumstance and obeyed. And yes, I wrote the details of searing pain to sweet reconciliation in Chapter 7 of my book, “Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life.”

Sighing with relief, I would shout from the rooftops, “Obeying God always brings brilliant results.”

What stirred that memory was an excerpt from a Max Lucado devotional:

“I caught my husband making love to another woman. He swore it would never happen again. He begged me to forgive him, but I could not—would not. I was so bitter and so incapable of swallowing my pride that I could think of nothing but revenge. I was going to make him pay and pay dearly. I’d have my pound of flesh.

I filed for divorce, even though my children begged me not to.

Even after the divorce, my husband tried for two years to win me back. I refused to have anything to do with him. He had struck first; now I was striking back. All I wanted was to make him pay.

Finally he gave up and married a lovely young widow with a couple of small children. He began rebuilding his life—without me.

I see them occasionally, and he looks so happy. They all do. And here I am—a lonely, old, miserable woman who allowed her selfish pride and foolish stubbornness to ruin her life.

Unfaithfulness is wrong. Revenge is bad. But the worst part of all is that, without forgiveness, bitterness is all that is left.

The state of your heart dictates whether you harbor a grudge or give grace, seek self-pity or seek Christ, drink human misery or taste God’s mercy.

No wonder, then, the wise man begs, ‘Above all else, guard your heart.’ David’s prayer should be ours: ‘Create in me a pure heart, O God.’

From “The Applause of Heaven” © (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999) Max Lucado

Janet, devoted to serve Him…committed to inspire you.
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Did you know life is not about what you cannot do because of circumstances out of your control? Success comes when you recognize what you can do with what God has given you.

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Janet Perez Eckles
Inspiration in the midst of a hurried world: www.janetperezeckles.com.

Inspiraciön en medio de un mundo apresurado.