“I’ve been seeing someone. It started a while ago. I tried to stop it, but…I didn’t.”
“Do you love her?”
“I don’t know. I think I might.”
The words above will resonate with many who have walked through betrayal and its aftermath.
If you’ve been part of our community for a while, then you’ll know that Mark and I have written many books about our experience healing from infidelity.
My guest for this episode is an author who has walked through a similar hard season in her own life. But rather than writing about her real-life story, she chose to channel her experience into fiction. Through her writing, she explores the emotions, challenges, and pain of betrayal in a way that she hopes will encourage others.
Danna Demetre is a Christian author, speaker, and wellness educator. She has a deep and enduring faith that has shaped her life and writing. For decades, she has encouraged women to pursue emotional, physical, and spiritual wholeness through biblical truth, personal growth, and resilient hope.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Why forgiveness doesn’t immediately fix every hurt
- Practical tips for navigating betrayal
- Helpful tools to work through the aftermath
- And more!
Danna’s journey includes so many similar details to our own. I hope you are just as encouraged as I was through this conversation.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Prefer to watch this episode? You can now view and subscribe to our YouTube.
- [BOOK] Beyond Betrayal: A Story of Heartbreak, Healing, and Redeeming Love
- How To Build a Healthy Lifestyle with Danna Demetre | Episode 112
- What I Wish I’d Known When I Was Younger with Danna Demetre | Episode 111
- The Wait is Not Wasted Course
- Connect with Danna on her website, Instagram, or Facebook
- As a thank you for listening, get your 3 free eBooks.
My Key Takeaways:
1) Forgiveness isn’t a one-time event. We can tend to think about forgiveness as a singular event, but in reality there are hundreds of things that require forgiveness as you move beyond the betrayal. For me, it wasn’t just forgiving Mark’s infidelity; it was also forgiving the way he mismanaged money, the lies, and hundreds of other little things. When we forgive, it’s the start of the journey, not the end.
2) You will be alright. Depending on where you are on your journey, you may not yet know whether your marriage is going to survive or if you will ultimately separate as a result of the betrayal. In the thick of betrayal, a good friend constantly reminded me that no matter the state of my relationship, God was still in control and I was going to be alright. God is not taken aback by the state of our relationship, nor does it throw a giant wrench into his plans. He can handle your heartache, and he still has a wonderful plan for your life.
3) God will use this experience to sanctify you. While we don’t wish this scenario on anyone, challenging times can act as a kind of spiritual fertilizer. Walking through difficult situations is an opportunity to look inward and address the “stuff” that you bring into the relationship. Regardless of whether the betrayal can be forgiven or trust can be earned back, there’s great opportunity for personal growth as you walk through this storm.
About Danna:
Danna Demetre is a Christian author, speaker, retired registered nurse, and wellness educator. She has a deep and enduring faith that has shaped her life and writing. For decades, she has encouraged women to pursue emotional, physical, and spiritual wholeness through biblical truth, personal growth, and resilient hope. She lives with her husband of over 35 years, Lew, near San Diego, CA, and enjoys an active rural lifestyle and frequent visits from their children and grandchildren.
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