Samuel gets personal today sharing his own story of ambivalence.
Samuel,
I'm 11 months post D-Day and this was a God send. Just this past week I was so frustrated with my inability to win my wife back. To have her want me and us again. It seemed I was spiraling down from Frustration to Anger to Depression. I'm ashamed to say I even snapped at my kids which cause them to cry in fear (I apologized and we all hugged and cried together). I couldn't put words to my feelings and emotions. Yes things have calmed down from an anger standpoint of my wife towards me, but I've been paralyzed in not waning to have those deep talks that can lead to the unzipping of wounded areas of myself. I have instead, gone for keeping the peace, let's just relax and watch TV, and as good as that can be, it's not going to bring the fruit I so desperately want. Not wanting to read the books on Betrayal again. Not wanting to serve my wife and kids, who don't seem to see how hard I'm trying. All my emotions point to me, and what I want and what I need. And as you pointed out so well, that's exactly what got me here. I felt the exact same frustration with life and depression and not feeling good about who I was, before all of this blew up. And now I so desperately want to be the mature man of steel and courage that I have desired to be for so long in my life. Thank you again for your blogs. They make a huge difference. Many Thanks and Much love
i get it mike. brings back memories my friend. completely normal for sure. i'm so glad you're not staying down. we all all down, but only a few get back up again and it's tough. getting up again is humbling for sure, for both spouses, and your desire to get up and get back at it is courageous brother. don't quit. keep getting up and keep fighting. warriors fight, but babies (self included) continue to feel sorry for themselves. standing with ya my friend.
Thanks for another great video. You are a very compelling speaker. I really like this topic. As a betrayed I have gone through so many different emotional cycles and watched my husband go through his own. For me there was Shock, then I love him and I’ll make him remember how great we are together, loathing him for not having felt repulsed in acting out because it went against everything we stood for as a family and couple, then finding hints to happiness, then sadness that there is no waking up from this nightmare, now acceptance but wondering if I will ever love him without doubts or “enjoy” him as you so perfectly said. I have and still do sit at a the metaphorical red light. Not as often, but I keep turning toward home, because I really do want to believe there could be more on the other side. My husband is working harder at this than anything else I think he’s ever done. I know that it’s not easy on either side. How long would you say you and your wife felt the relationship was out of “recovery” phase. Where it felt sort of like normal life again that didn’t revolve around recovery?
in terms of recovery phase and what not, there was moments and seasons where we felt normal. but not for too long. i would say it was a good two years or so before we felt normal and out of the triage nature of it all. but then again you have to know that it's normal for things to trigger you or affect you, but you snap back so much quicker. i'm talking hours, rather than days or a week etc. so I would say it takes about 12 to 24 months to return to a sense of normalcy and that you're not in recovery mode, depending on the severity of the infidelity and collateral damage surrounding it. hope that helps you. thanks for watching and posting and such kind words.
Thank you once again Samuel for such a sincere and genuinely selfless video. The raw earthly emotion and compassion you show is truly felt and appreciated so much.
My wife of 18 years (together 23 years) and I remain living apart after her affair. D Day was just over 7 months ago. We keep in contact regularly though with shared parental responsibility and have been making slow but steady progress in our recovery. By far the most helpful resource for us has been your vlog and the abundant information in Revovery Library.
I suggested my wife view this video after watching it myself earlier today. She phoned just moments ago in tears saying she would do whatever it takes to reconcile our marriage. It was the first time she has said that to me. It was just incredible to hear. It has clearly touched her heart and soul in exactly the way she needed. I just had to share this with you.
Samuel from my heart to yours thank you so much for the wonderful work you do and a big thank you to everyone at Affair Recovery.
God bless you all.
that's pretty amazing to read my friend. i'm honored to be a part of the recovery process for you all. that's just incredible to read that this little video blog can touch people that way. gives me great hope and encouragement. means so much to me that you'd post this and encourage me. it really really does. take care my friend. take it one day at a time, slow and steady. you're not done! so thankful.
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Alumna, Grateful Wayward. Strong believer in small group recovery and the power of sharing our faith, experience, strength, and hope in community. Miracles happen.
Alumnus, betrayed. Be a voice of encouragement for those in pain and navigating emotional trauma. The journey to healing can seem impossible, but don’t ever give up as there is a light at the end of that tunnel. Please show yourself compassion, grace, and love.
Alumna, betrayed. Healing from loss of betrayal, marriage, spouse, and the life I thought I had…to discover hope for new beginnings. As a Grief Recovery Specialist, I am passionate about helping others find hope again.
Alumna, betrayed. After enduring Betrayal Trauma, Karen developed a passion for assisting other betrayed partners in their journey to grieve, find hope, and rebuild their lives following such a life-shattering event.
Alumna. Proud to walk with you through the drama and trauma caused by infidelity.
Alumna, Betrayed. A compassionate traveling companion who walks alongside those seeking hope, health, and harmony through betrayal trauma.
Alumna. Wayward. Using the experience and learnings from my own healing to inspire and encourage others on their journey post-infidelity.
Wayward codependent. Empowering others to find hope and healing in their own recovery and restoration journey. Passionate about the ripple effects of healing from infidelity on the younger generations.
Alumni. Rodney and Angela. Channeling hope and healing through music after experiencing God's healing power from the tsunami of infidelity.
Alumna, navigating recovery from both sides of infidelity. Bringing hope to those enduring their darkest moments.
Alumna. Betrayed. Seeking to inspire hope in those recovering from the devastating effects of infidelity or addiction.
Alumnus. Wayward. Encouraging those walking the road of addiction recovery by sharing his own journey of healing and restoration.
Alumna, Betrayed. Seeking God's grace to find meaning and purpose in the pain. Hoping to share my life raft with others drowning in the despair of infidelity.
Alumnus, Wayward. Providing hope, encouragement and infidelity-specific insight to anyone in recovery from betrayal.
Alumna. Betrayed. Sharing her testimony of God's miraculous healing from betrayal trauma to inspire hope in others.
Alumna. Wayward. Sharing hope with others struggling from the shame and destruction of their bad choices. Restoring the broken pieces by the healing power of God’s unfailing love.
Alumna. Wayward. Striving to become a woman of integrity. Together, we can find light in the darkness of infidelity.
Alumna. Betrayed. Striving to recover and thrive after betrayal. I believe gratitude is the antidote to grief. If I can help you in your healing, therein lies my own.
Alumna. Member, EMS Weekend Retreat Team. Hope and healing are possible for anyone willing to work through the pain.
Alumnus. Betrayed. Trying to find his way back.
Alumna. Wayward. A broken and undeserving mess who is learning what real love looks like.
Alumna. Betrayed. Determined to be positive as I navigate the quagmire of recovery.
Alumna. Betrayed. A soul restored. Encouraging others to keep walking because there is a way through. Author of Keep Walking: 40 Days to Hope and Freedom After Betrayal
Alumna. Betrayed. Grateful for God's love and grace. Recognizing that with God as my priority, I will be okay no matter what.
Alumnus. Betrayed. No matter how long it takes or how hard it is, my wife is always worth it!
Alumna. Betrayed. Learning to love recklessly while I cross the monkey bars of recovery. "You have to let go at some point in order to move forward." - C.S. Lewis
Alumna. Betrayed. Walking in obedience to God's direction and experiencing a richer life and Renewed marriage.
Alumnus. Wayward. Living life differently, enjoying my wife and family, and grateful for God’s love.
Alumna. Betrayed. Experiencing God's love after divorce. Celebrating the healing of myself and my identity.
Alumna. Betrayed. Continuing to fight for my marriage and my children.
Alumnus. Wayward. Living proof that seeking truth offers both incredible pain and amazing freedom.
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