Is Your Friend Considering Divorce? Ways to Help

Heartrending news landed in the New York Post this week: Divorce rates spiked 34% between March and June this year.

According to the article, 31% admitted quarantine caused “irreparable damage” to their relationships.

Chances are decent you know a friend whose marriage is straining right now: Their reality is one of slammed doors. Words they never thought they’d say. Tears dripping in the dark.

They’re also grappling with bewilderment, shame, searing hurt.

FamilyLife, my largest client, asked me to compile some ideas so you could help a friend–and even some hope for the friend themselves.

This week I want to pass on to you When Your Friend’s Marriage Shows Signs of Divorce: 7 Non-Pushy Ways to Help.

And if it helps, here’s two more for your friend who’s turning over the idea of divorce in their head:

• Is My Marriage Over?
• Think Your Marriage is Dying? 7 Signs to Consider

For what it’s worth, if you’re this kind of friend, with the long phone calls, the prayers, the embraces where your shoulder gets wet? I’m imagining your the Jesus-in-Levis your friend desparately needs right now. I love, love that you’re going the distance for your friend, doing the hard work no one else might be able to do right now.

Please. Keep pressing on.

Looking for more help for someone thinking about divorce? Try

• 9 Ways to Pray for Your Marriage in Tough Times
• Guest post: Did you marry the wrong person?
• Christian, Married–and Attracted Elsewhere
• The Stressed Version of Your Marriage