Editor's note: Crosswalk welcomes our newest contributor, Dr. David Hawkins, The Relationship Doctor. David Hawkins, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist, family counselor and author who wants to connect with you to answer your relationship questions and concerns. To receive trusted, Biblically sound advice from Crosswalk's relationship expert, see Dr. David's contact information at the bottom of this article.
Dear Dr. David,
My husband of ten years has just informed me that he had his second affair. He said that he felt guilty and wanted to tell me and ask for my forgiveness. I am hurt very deeply and don’t feel like forgiving him, though I know as a Christian I am supposed to forgive. He is impatient and wants me to get over my anger. Can you help?" ~ Marcia
Dear Marcia:
It is certainly understandable that you feel hurt, betrayed and angry. While he has cleared his conscience, he has given you an apparent burden to carry. He wrongfully thinks he can simply ask for forgiveness and everything will go back to normal. This is not the case. Wounds suffered from such a betrayal can take years to heal, and then only with the right conditions. Forgiveness will be a process, not an event. Let’s consider this process.
First, he must take full responsibility for his actions, and accept that he must make significant changes for you to heal, feel safe and trust again. Taking full responsibility means he will understand that you will not trust easily again. Taking full responsibility means that he accepts the depth and gravity of his actions, and understands how deeply he has hurt you. Infidelity is an injury that cuts to the heart and soul of another.
Second, he needs to understand that you will experience an emotional roller coaster in the days ahead. While he hopes for a quick fix, this is rarely the case. You can expect a challenging time of grieving the loss to your marriage, including anger, hurt, betrayal and sadness. It will take time and safety for you to reach a place of intimacy and trust again. Your husband will need to learn to "be with you" during these times of grief.
Third, he needs to change his ways. He must work at, and convince you, that he understands how his infidelity happened, and has made changes in his life so that it will not recur. He must show that he is truly sorry for his actions. Are there longstanding character problems that need attention? Is there an underlying sexual addiction? The Apostle Paul talks about a Godly sorrow that leads to repentance — a change of ways. (II Corinthians 10: 7) Anything short of this is an additional injury to you and will keep you from trusting him again.
Fourth, both of you will need to explore and understand how this has happened in the context of your marriage. Not only is there grief to resolve, but questions to be explored and answered as to how this could happen in your marriage, at this point in time. Are there conflicts in your marriage that need professional counsel? Infidelity often suggests interpersonal troubles needing attention.
