Rebuilding Trust in Your Marriage After Infidelity

Infidelity is a mirage.

It promises fulfillment. It delivers heartache and tragedy. Not only is the rush of excitement short-lived, but it is quickly replaced by long-lasting and devastating consequences.

When an affair is exposed, the betrayal is often so deep that couples rush to divorce. But ending your marriage in the wake of infidelity isn’t the simple solution people assume. It often replaces one set of problems with another.

Reconciliation can create long-term resolution. Research shows us that couples who are willing to work through betrayal and pain with godly forgiveness can eventually rebuild their relationship. And in many cases, their marriage can become stronger than it was before the affair.

Forgiveness isn’t easy. As C.S. Lewis once said, “Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea until they have something to forgive.” Achieving a fairy tale ending to our pain requires doing the messy, difficult work of forgiving our spouse’s betrayal.

If you or somebody you know is looking for hope, Mark and Jill Savage have answers … because they’ve lived through it. When Jill discovered Mark’s affair, she was tempted to end her marriage. But God told her to stay and to love her husband!

On our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Rebuilding Trust in Your Marriage After Infidelity,” they urge couples not to throw in the towel too soon. Your marriage is bigger than you. Your choices affect yourself, your spouse, your children – even your grandchildren. There is hope for redemption.

Listen to our full conversation on your local radio station, online, on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or on our free phone app.

Jill has written a book called Next Steps: What to Do When Your Spouse is Unfaithful. It’s available for a gift of any amount. For more information, visit our website. The book describes their heartbreaking journey of infidelity and how God reignited their love for each other.

If you have suffered an affair, know that we have caring Christian counselors on staff, and it would be a privilege for them to have an initial consultation with you. Call us, leave your name and number, and they’ll get back with you just as soon as possible. The number during business hours is 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).

I also highly recommend our Hope Restored program. Even if you’re on the brink of divorce, these marriage intensives can go a long way toward restoring your hope, facilitating healing between you and your spouse, and bringing restoration to your relationship. The number for Hope Restored is 1-866-875-2915, or visit online.

We also have a full devotional series on infidelity available on the YouVersion Bible app. You’ll find almost 60 individual devotions with topics like Prevention: Protecting Your Marriage Against Infidelity; Crisis: When an Affair Is Discovered; and Recovery: Piecing Your Marriage Back Together.