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Separation

A couple stands on opposite sides of a wall, holding hands with expressions of distress, symbolizing the challenges when others don't know how to help people facing marital disterss.

How to Help People in Marital Distress

Sometimes even the best of intentions can lead to more problems.

A couple sitting on a bench by the water, forming a heart shape with their hands, symbolizing the impact of marriage help in rekindling love and connection.

Seeking Marriage Help Leads to Restoration

One couple learned to restore the joy in their relationship with a visit to the National Institute of Marriage.

Mother and father fighting in the background. Their little girl covering her ears and crying.

How to Support Children Through Separation

When a couple reaches the point of separation, the entire situation gets further complicated when children are involved.

paper heart ripped in half on string

Defining Divorce

In spite of the legal system’s best efforts to make divorce “easier,” it’s still a messy process.

Love for the Long Haul

With the right spirit and actions, any marriage can be restored.

A man has removed his wedding ring, holding it up with one hand and covering his face with the other. His spouse was abusive and he has lost her by setting boundaries for his own safety. He wrestles with guilt over if he did the right thing.

Wrestling with Guilt when Drawing Boundaries with an Abusive Spouse

When dealing with an abusive spouse, you need to be bold, take action, and draw clear boundaries for your own safety. God loves you. And He hates the abuse you endure.

Photo of a man and woman sitting on opposite ends of a couch, taking their wedding rings off. They have decided to separate as allowed in the Bible due to their unhealthy circumstances. But what does the Bible say about marriage separation?

Separation as an Act of Love

While reconciliation is God’s desire for struggling couples, there are all sorts of situations that can bring a marriage to the crisis point — and separation can be an act of love.

Depressed middle-age couple seated in different directions. He’s toying with his wedding band, implying a troubled marriage and the need for a healing separation.

Why and How to Pursue a Healing Separation

Focus on the Family is dedicated to bringing healing and restoration to couples who are struggling in their marriage. But God’s design for marriage never included abuse, violence or coercive control. Even emotional abuse can bruise or severely harm a person’s heart, mind and soul. If you are in an abusive relationship, go to a …

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Giving Your Marriage a Second Chance (Part 1 of 2)

Speaker and author Juana Mikels shares the dramatic story of how she abandoned her marriage after three years, found faith in Jesus Christ and reconciled with her husband. (Part 1 of 2)

Paper cutout representing a family about to be cut in half with scissors

The Dilemma of Divorce

At the Fall, the battle of the sexes began, and one of the most tragic consequences of that battle is the propensity to divorce.

A couple, symbolizing Ron and Opal Erickson, laughing together outdoors while playing a guitar, enjoying a lighthearted moment.

From Disharmony to Making Beautiful Music: Ron and Opal Erickson

Even with their marriage on the brink of divorce, God softened Ron’s and Opal’s hearts, giving them a hope that shone brightly enough to lead them on a path to restoration.

Give Your Marriage a Second Chance

Juana Mikels decided that she had married the wrong person, so she left her husband. Then she became a Christian and had a change of heart. She shares a few ideas to help get your marriage back on track.

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God’s Word on Divorce and Remarriage (Part 2 of 2)

Respected theologian John MacArthur points to Scripture to discern what God says about divorce and remarriage and how those guidelines apply to specific situations. (Part 2 of 2)

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God’s Word on Divorce and Remarriage (Part 1 of 2)

Respected theologian John MacArthur points to Scripture to discern what God says about divorce and remarriage and how those guidelines apply to specific situations. (Part 1 of 2)

Troubled young couple standing apart outside, with focus on him in the background and her face blurry in the foreground

When Separation is the Beginning of the End

What if reconciliation proves to be impossible and divorce is inevitable? Dr. Gary Chapman offers hope to individuals starting again on their own. 

Introduction: Hope for the Separated

While reconciliation is God’s desire for struggling couples, there are all sorts of situations that can bring a marriage to the crisis point. Dr. Gary Chapman offers hope and help for the separated.

Feelings Will Change

On average, the high of new love lasts approximately two years, and then every couple has to work toward a deeper sense of emotional love.

Shown from behind, a lone woman sitting at the edge of a dock overlooking a lake with mountains on the horizon

Absorbing the Initial Shock of Temporary Separation

You need to confront the what-ifs and how-tos before the separation to lessen the worry.

Close up of hands holding a photo ripped down the middle, separating a happy husband and wife, suggesting divorce

Divorce and Separation

It takes more than an opinion to discover the right thing.

Preparing for Your Time Apart

You might not feel like planning, but a little inconvenience now can save a lot of heartache later.