r/Christianmarriage

Avoiding Porn During a 30 year Marriage

Someone asked how I resisted porn while reaching my 30th anniversary.

It never really appealed to me.  During my late teens and early 20s porn was in magazines, and on videos.  I watched parts of a few and was completely turned off.  I would literally leave or say I had an early morning.  My definition of porn is, is anything that shows sex or is sexually exploitative.    If I am not involved I have 0 interest.  Some links have pulled me into porn sites, and I just close the browser.  It is also my understanding many woman in porn are abused, and I have 0 tolerance, aiding or supporting abusive practices. I do notice beautiful woman, only a moment, then I get back to the matter at hand. 

I do like classic, tasteful, nudes of men and women in art.   It is Gods creation and beautiful.  IMHO Venus di Milo & statue David are works of art.

If you consume porn, you can stop.  If you stop, and relapse, you can start again.  Digital is addictive, cheap, and easy to access.  However, Christ does give us the spirit that can drive change.  Sexual desire is natural, in a Godly context it is a blessing.

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u/Wild_Following_7475 — 6 hours ago
▲ 4 r/Christianmarriage+1 crossposts

Recently started reading romance and just discovered erotica - do any other wives read this?

I don’t know what to think but I definitely know what I am feeling. I just don’t have anyone to talk about this with. What are your thoughts? Do you enjoy these books? Where do you draw the line?

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u/Pure_Jaguarrrrrr — 13 hours ago

Husband ultimatum

Sorry this is long but I need advice and perspective.

Been together for 25 years and married for 16. we have 3 children together 14, 13, and 10. My husband is a wonderful father and husband. He cares deeply for us.

Recently sent our girls off to see family without us. While they were at my parents house my mom allowed our daughter to drive her car on a country road in order to cheer our daughter up. She has never driven before and my mom did not call to ask permission.

My husband found out when the girls got home and was furious. He feels like he has been robbed of an important experience that he really wanted to have with them. He is very protective about getting to experience our children’s “firsts” of things. To be fair to him, my mom has had a history of butting in on things in the past. Not in an evil way, I just don’t think she considers the ramifications of her actions and is focused on loving the girls and trying to be a good grandma. But she has overstepped in the past.

Additionally he is blaming me because he says I’m not firm enough with my mom about establishing boundaries. He is right about that, I’ve struggled with it, and we’ve literally moved across the country to help establish breathing space between us. He sees this as my fault as much as hers. While I do think it was disrespectful to do that without asking us, I’ve never been an all or nothing person and I forgive easily and move on. My husband can’t do that.

He know is saying that he wants me to choose between him or my mother. Either never let the kids be around her again and cut her out of their lives so he can feel “safe as a parent and know things are done the way he wants” or he is threatening to divorce me and leave the kids. It’s all a very all or nothing approach where he feels like if he can’t have complete control then he wants none at all as he can’t live in the middle. I feel like this is a gross over reaction and that he is forcing a decision that would strip the girls of grandparents who love them. I get that my mom can be selfish and doesn't consider the impact of her actions sometimes, but it’s not like she is a drug dealer or a horrible person. We see her maybe once or twice a year at best.

I feel like I am in a no win situation here. I Don’t want him to feel like I’m choosing her over him. But at the same time I feel like his request is completely unreasonable.

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u/Specific_Cheetah_948 — 8 hours ago

Should I be concerned about this?

My wife is a Christian. However, she told me she does not have any conviction of sin in her life. She feels once she confessed her sin for salvation, that is all that’s needed. Does this faith sound complete?

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u/HopefulCalm1960 — 6 hours ago

Should I convalidate my marriage as a non-Catholic?

Married for 20 years and my wife is converting to Catholicism and wants to also convalidate our marriage in church. I am baptised, left the Catholic Church in my teens and although I believe in God I have no intention to return to the church as an institution.

I want to support my wife in her spiritual journey and I know that marriage in church means a lot to her. She wants to follow Catholicism to the core and for example she believes that intimacy is sinful right now since we are not married in church. I question not if doing it for her whilst I do not believe in it would be wrong and inauthentic.

The priests I speak to seem to not support my choice of being non-denominational and also want me to convert. If I go through with the marriage in church, do I have any obligations or roles to comply with? Tbh, the church wedding means nothing to me as I have committed to my we for the last 20 years and this will not change my love for her but feels like I am compromising my values and believes.

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u/Honest-Struggle734 — 9 hours ago

Resenting my husband

(Thowaway account cause this is just too personal for my regular account)

My husband (28) and I (29) have been married for seven years (together for eight years). We have two daughters (3 and 5). And I have a love-hate relationship with my husband. Im to the point where im resenting him, sometimes can hardly stand to hear his voice, and at times dread when he comes home from work.

In short, I guess im so upset because he doesnt act like a man. Its like he 'plays pretend' and its so frustrating because its taking its toll on me physically, mentally, and even spiritually.

Im a SAHM, so I know that most of the household/child rearing responsibilities fall on me (and im fine with that, its what I wanted from the start), but Im doing everything. Very occasionally, he will 'attempt' to clean the kitchen. This attempt is only half emptying the dishwasher, washing a few dishes and then leaving a sinful of dirty water with dirty dishes in them, putting things away in the wrong places, etc. I end up having to finish what he started, and usually end up just having to do more work than if I just did it myself. I have to do all the cleaning, taking care of animals, cooking, yard work and mowing, shoveling snow, heck he won't even check the mail.

As for our children, he plays with them and occasionally changed diapers. But anytime they're not happy, he has zero patience for them, yet im the only one that will discipline them. There had been many times when ive reached my own breaking point with them and end up yelling at them (which then makes me feel like a horrible mom afterwards) because he doesnt help on that front, even when he's standing there witnessing the entire thing go down. He won't also doesnt take care of them like he should such as brushing their hair, washing their hair, making sure theres plenty of pull-ups, wipes, and water in the diaper bag when he takes them somewhere. There have even been many times when he doesnt make them breakfast/lunch but will make something for himself when im away. He also doesnt keep an eye on them. Theres been several times that our youngest would wonder off in his care not only at home but in puclic places around lots of strangers, and thank God nothing happened to her, but he would give an excuse of 'oh I was doing such and such' or 'I was talking to so and so.'

As for the bedroom, ill keep it short and pg but im almost never left satisfied. And he'll want to do things/have me do things that I dont like, and he knows and has even admitted that he knows I dont like doing them. But I end up feeling like im just stuck and forced to anyway.

I just feel like im 'the man of the house' and have to take on all the roles. I love him, and at times I hate that I love him. And its all just wearing me down. I've pretty much given up on talking to him about all this stuff, cause he just doesnt seem to care.

He doesnt make me feel special at all. And has said some really hurtful things. Things like how much he liked his ex (a girl he dated for a bit as a teenager) and he felt all the butterflies and like she was the center oh his universe sort of thing, but never felt like that with me. Just as an added note, hes the only one ive ever been with, so obviously I felt all the butterflies and whatnot.

And I hate events like my birthday, our anniversary, Christmas, valentines day, and mother's day because im not made to feel special at all. And its hard because ill see my sisters being spoiled by their husbands on those days, and ill be lucky to get a passing 'happy birthday' or 'happy mother's day.' There was even one Christmas that I was sick, and he gifted me nothing and was going to leave me alone all day so he could spend the holiday at his parents house. The only reason he didnt go was because he heard me crying when he walked out the door.

I just...I dont know if I can continue on like this. I know that im not perfect and have my own issues, and I've been trying really hard to fix myself and feel like ive been improving, but I just end up feeling like it doesn't matter at all, like I dont matter at all. And i just dont know what to do, because it only seems to be getting worse.

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u/[deleted] — 10 hours ago

Not sure where to go from this

I'm hoping to find a good advice. I'm married to (32) my (39) husband for 4yrs now, I just had our 2nd baby boy for a month and just found out he still watches porn (found it from his website searches and he even saved some pics on his hidden album on photos) when he plays even after he told me he stopped already last May. Its been months since we last had sex before pregnancy and now I feel like because I gained weight from pregnancy that he wont even make love to me not until I lose and be back to my old petite body back.

I confronted him last night and he said he already repented from it and that he still loves me blah blah. But here I am, don't know what to feel anymore.

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u/ggcush — 11 hours ago

I need advice and prayer about my relationship.

So I am 18 year old and young Christian,my journey with God is really long and I wouldn't be writing this if it is without him (I would ended myself) glory to God.

I found happiness in him.So at 16 I got desire to pursue marriage and eventually find person who can I honor God.

I had lot of crush and people interested and I would pray to God and everyone was only interested in sex and I gave up and would cry to God for hours,because in my country girls would go to Saturday club and get drunk as hell and be banged by ten guys and would go to church at Sunday.

I tried meeting Christian girl from church,everything and everyone want sex before marriage,because my country has been in communism for roughly 50 years and everyone here is only Christian by name.

And I gave up and went God way,and recently I met good muslim friend and we became good friends and he introduced me to her cousin (muslim girl) and I would start talking to her cousin and we started liking each other.

And as time went,we got into relationship,she is the most sweetest person ever,I never met someone so compatible and she doesn't want also sex before marriage which I found happy.

She would ask stuff about church and etc... and I would tell her about.I would pray to Lord day and night asking to remoger feelings for her if he doesn't want something and he didn't.

She teached me really what meant sacrificial love like Christ love,you can really connect with someone without sex or anything and I am blessed to have her in my life.Glory to God,she helped me grow so much with Christ and how much you can evenagilaze to people in humble ways.

I really need advice and what to do,cuz it is also my first relationship.Let the God's will be done.

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u/Ryu-Hayabusa2 — 20 hours ago

Wife wants a divorce, but we’re still married and I’m struggling to know what to do besides waiting proactively.

Hello everyone. I’m 24 and my wife is 23, and we’re going through a very difficult season in our marriage. I’m looking for biblical advice and wisdom before I meet with her on Monday.

For some background, we had known each other since we were teenagers but lost contact for a while. We reconnected early last year, started dating, got engaged in November, and married in December. Before dating, it was important to me that she professed faith in Christ and showed fruit of the Spirit, and we went through premarital counseling with our pastor and his wife.

Not long after getting married, we realized we had expectations that weren’t being met. One of the biggest issues was intimacy. My wife desired it more than I did, and I was still struggling with pornography early in our marriage. It affected my desire for her much more than I was willing to admit at the time. We talked about it, but I didn’t make the lasting changes I should have. Looking back, I understand why she began feeling more like a roommate than a wife.

As resentment grew, arguments became more frequent, and I could see it affecting her faith. Around that same time, a close friend of mine began spending a lot of time with her. He later admitted he had developed romantic feelings for her. Looking back, I should have immediately ended that friendship and the situation entirely, but I didn’t. She later explained that what she wanted most was to feel desired and pursued, not necessarily that she wanted a relationship with him. Still, allowing that friendship to continue was a serious mistake on my part.

A few weeks later, she planned a trip to Puerto Rico but only told me a few hours before she left. She originally said she’d be back that Wednesday, but after arriving, our communication changed dramatically. The first day was normal, but over the following days she barely spoke to me or gave me updates. Her location showed her at bars late into the night and at a house overnight instead of the hotel where she said she was staying. I knew she’d struggled with alcohol in the past, but I had no idea what was happening or why she was there.

When Wednesday came, it became clear she wasn’t coming home as planned. During that time, I found messages between her and my friend (after I had already asked them to stop communicating), as well as messages with another man. I didn’t find anything that definitively proved adultery, but there were messages that I don’t believe a married woman should be sending to another man. One message to my friend saying “oki cutie” especially stood out to me.

I completely fell apart. I could barely eat, I stopped taking care of myself, my desire to spend time with God and attend church dropped significantly, and I was desperate for answers. I called her repeatedly without success. I even contacted the other man after realizing he had also been in Puerto Rico the same week, which confirmed to me that they had met for some reason. When my wife found out I had contacted him, she became furious. Shortly afterward, I was asked by her and her father to leave the house we had been living in with her parents when I asked if she had been unfaithful in our marriage.

In June, she told me she wanted a divorce. We met to sign divorce papers on June 2nd, but they were never officially signed due to her missing a crucial paper I guess. During that period, her communication towards me was often hostile and I was criticized for calling her family the day I found the text messages in the Apple Watch, yet I continued expressing that I wanted to save the marriage. I admitted my failures, apologized for the ways I had hurt her, and told her the changes I was making, but she remained firm in wanting to leave.

Then, a few weeks ago, something unexpected happened. She called me around 2 a.m. asking if I wanted to talk. During that conversation, she apologized for how she had treated me over the previous weeks and cried throughout much of the call. I repeatedly told her I forgave her. The day before that phone call, I had given her flowers and a handwritten note after praying about it, and when we met she appreciated both and we had a genuinely kind conversation. It gave me hope that God might still be working in her heart.

We haven’t spoken since that day (June 12). I still love my wife deeply, and I genuinely want reconciliation if she’s willing. During this season, God has convicted me of my own sin and changed me in many ways. I’ve prayed that He would make me into the husband my wife needs and continue conforming me to Christ. While this has been one of the hardest seasons of my life, I can honestly say I’ve seen God’s faithfulness through it.

This Monday, I plan on going to her house to ask where she stands. I can’t continue living in uncertainty forever. If she’s willing to work toward reconciliation, I’ll gladly continue pursuing that. If she isn’t, then I at least need clarity about where we go from here.

I’m looking for biblical wisdom, advice, and prayers as I prepare for that conversation. Has anyone here gone through something similar? How would you approach this meeting if you were in my position?

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u/Solid_Signal9090 — 1 day ago

A no touch marriage

My wife has never been a touchy feely person. I mean, there was never a stage where we couldn’t keep our hands off each other that I can remember. Sure, we held hands and touched when we got close. But nothing feral that I can remember. She never actually reaches for me or pursues touch. We’ve gone from rare sex, to no sex, and now rare touch headed to no touch. Just occupying the same space and existing as a married couple with 2 kids (long story there in itself). A happy family to the world and surprisingly little conflict at home.

I try. I do reach out and make effort. Yes, all non sexual and expecting nothing in return so there’s is no pressure- ever. When we touch there is no reaction or no acknowledgment. It’s just almost a non affection environment. She’s no body issues or trauma that’s known to me and I’ve known her a very long time. (We are safe together)

This summer we’ve been on a beach trip and a trip to the mountains. I did an experiment and subtly kept count of any form of physical contact between us. Somehow we successfully made both trips with zero physical contact, not even incidental touch.

It seems as if this doesn’t bother her and after 22 years of marriage I’m numb to it. I didn’t even notice how off it was or how it got this way. We do everything together, ride in the same car to places, chores at home, go to church, and even sleep in the same bed. We even went out yesterday for pizza and ice cream and navigated a no touch time. I am not forcing this, just going with the natural flow of our normal activities.

It bothers me that it doesn’t bother her. I’ve mentioned something in the past and it got brushed off like it’s normal or no big deal. Yes, she will then awkwardly initiate touch in a dutiful way. It doesn’t do anything but make the feeling worse.

My birthday is in a couple days and I’m about to hit 48. Guess getting another year older makes me realize another year slipped away with me basically being alone. Not sure what advice or if I’m looking for advice because nothing will make her want touch. It would be nice if my touch is wanted, but I for sure don’t want to have to ask permission of make her want me to touch. I wish it was just a natural thing like I see in all the other couples. I’m just sad I’ve ended up this way.

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u/Tiredfella803 — 1 day ago

Husband is turning 30, any cool date ideas?

Hello! So coming off of the title, I want to make this birthday a special one! We do let each other pick the gifts on special days so that will be his choice but I want to create a day for us to have fun and experience something special!

For context, we have an 8 month old baby, which grandma will be able to babysit for the day but a trip is out of the plans for now. We also aren’t big drinkers so going to bars for a night isn’t our thing.

As for him, he loves escape rooms or anything that involves a “challenge”. He likes movies a lot but not just any movies he is particular about the ones he likes. Other than that he just likes to have a chill time really, he’s not super out-going but I know he will appreciate something he can cherish and remember.

We’ve only been married a year and half and together for 2 years so forgive me if I seem naive to knowing exactly what to do.

What are some experiences you’ve had or your wife/girlfriend did for you that really stood out? What do men like? What’s the perfect birthday plan for you?

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u/lexitronr — 1 day ago

30 years of Christian marriage

30 years of marriage has created many memories, is rich gratitude, and full hope for things to come. It also started with idealized intentions.    

Then there is a learning curve, at times, Tsunami.  We went to Family Life conference on marriage a couple of times and learned a great deal.  Life then happens; post stroke support of father-in-law, post fall support of mother-in-law, beautiful son who is on the autictic spectrum.  My parents selfishness, fathers Parkinsons, mothers meltdowns over trials.  Mix in my job changes.  Two careers, raising two children, and running a home.

My wife’s parents trials showed & taught me faith and selfless love.  My wife’s parents were always patient and accepting of there trials, and my own hang-ups.  Our son graduated college and is now a teacher.  He has a heart for God, and teaches every student with care and tenderness.  Our daughter took a bit longer, but has always worked, and stayed out of trouble.  My wife helps me; unlearn my parents bad habits, without anger, while retaining love.  We always loved our simple vacations because the focus was spending time together; at farms, historical sights, beaches, and family friendly attractions.  We also made and enjoyed time; church sporting events, volunteering, swim club, and day trips.

We had things in common and interests that bound us together.  We look forward to winding down at the end of the day.  We are also winding down our careers, and both planning second acts.  I learned to show appreciation for the little things.  We developed our own; gentle touches, back-rubs, and intimacy.  She encouraged my humility, patience, and proper zeal. 

A good Christian marraige is a journey is best done with; husband, wife, and holy spirit.

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u/Wild_Following_7475 — 1 day ago

Pastor’s Wife Still Struggling because He Sees Prostitutes

Hey friends!

I caught him yet again. Today we were at a furniture store and he took awhile in the bathroom. When we were driving home I wanted to check up on my elderly in-laws and when I was going to call her his screen popped up showing an “intimate massage” on Craigslist.

I am at a loss for words. He was recently diagnosed with Hypomania and Bipolar. This all came about because for years my husband would call out of work due to “anxiety”, meanwhile I have been in the hustle and grind of balancing work and school for years.

About a month and a half ago I told my husband to see a Psychiatrist so that he can possibly get Adderall or something to help with the anxiety and lack of productivity. He comes home explaining what they diagnosed him with and he was prescribed some strong meds that are given specifically patients with Schizophrenia, Mania, Bipolar, and Extreme Depression. I was in shock and upset, but he was not. I asked him recently how he felt hearing the diagnosis and he said he felt relived and it explains his struggles.

I did pray and seek The Lord, and got Godly counsel so I’m pretty solid on my choice to leave. I can’t stay with an unfaithful perverted man when I have a strong desire to be a mother.

I am not sure how this will all unravel as the Godly Counsel I trust is out of state, and my current leadership are just “Spiritually Bypassing” my husband simply because they see him pray cry and speak in Tongues at the Altar in church.

The deception, lies, and infidelity cannot be blamed on his mental health alone. I feel and suspect that my husband will ride that wave to justify his behavior and further make me look crazy. And sadly some Pastors are so biased and Biblically illiterate that they will side with him.

Thankfully I have a circle that believes me and accurately can interpret God’s Word. I don’t feel convicted to stay if that makes any sense. I am not downplaying my husband’s diagnosis but he physically is so fake that he cannot even park in a handicap parking spot. One time I pulled in one to let him off into a store and he was shaking and screaming at me because it’s “illegal”, which is true I just wanted to let him off closer to the store. I did pull into an open spot as soon as I saw one.

The oxymoron is that he is so rigid with anything public, but he sees PROSTITUTES???? He doesn’t shake and get scared if that ILLEGAL behavior, and he’s definitely not scared of STDs as he had the fungal infection all on and around his genitals months ago.

I feel that this is a cycle of perverted men in the Church protecting each other…..

Christian women BEWARE!!!!!! I do not wish this on anyone.

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u/TiramisuAndIcecream — 2 days ago

I am miserable in my marriage.

I just want some validation. But I also desperately need help finding the strength to keep going one way or another.

I’m 34F in an awful marriage. Leaving out the crazy abusive things I’ve been through, I’ve simply been made to believe my body at face value is not preferable.

I’ve been complimented by men in the past. I’ve been hit on in public. Objectively, I know I am at least average in appearance.

-My husband prefers my butt to be bigger (Prior to me, he chased overweight women. I’m average and have leaned on thinner at times. He honestly didn’t want to date me because of my butt. I’m not flat. But I’m not rocking a large dump truck either.)

-He has called my stretch marks a flaw — have some light ones on my sides from losing weight many years ago… and I have some on my boobs because they’re big and hang down a bit.

-He also says that since being with me, he finds he thinks way more women around are attractive than he used to notice.

-He has admitted he prefers labia to look different (I’m a bit of an outie than an innie. I think this one hurts the most. My most vulnerable part of me is not up to preference.)

Am I unlikely to find a man who loves these parts of me? Would you be able to stay knowing you have so many parts of your body not up to preference when his ex met his standards?

Some of this stuff he didn’t tell me until I pointedly asked him, due to other fights.

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u/Anonymous1382 — 2 days ago

How to deal with sinful fantasy (as a wife)

Am I the only wife who has had sinful fantasy during sex? I try to redirect my thoughts. Some arnt exactly sinful but extreme (an*l, big toys etc) For some reason those thoughts turn me on the most. Maybe the influence of porn at a young age? Ladies how do you deal? I want my heart to be more in passion not obsession.

(EX: threesome, DP, BDSM)

Me and my husband both had porn issues in the past - and we both are working on being emotionally safe and working through trauma.

Nobody and especially no women in the church talk about this 🙁 I feel like I’m an anomaly

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u/Glass-Serve878 — 2 days ago

Spousal Abandonment

I am desperately in need of prayers and Godly advice.
My husband and I got married in the beginning of June this year, so our marriage has only began.

However, after our honeymoon, he physically abandoned me. It’s been 9 days of separation and he has been refusing for us to meet up. In the first few days of separation, we had been on calling on the phone trying to resolve our issues, following a plan that he had made. It was for us to deeply talk about issues and find a solution before we got back together again. The issues at hand here is he believes I should be able to emotionally regulate without his help.
I suggested that we have a casual date 6 days after separation just for us to put the problems aside for positive connection and he did not want it, however he agreed. But on the day of that, he ghosted me and turned off his phone and left to his dad’s house (a ferry away).
Since then, he had not answered any of my phone calls (it’s been 3 days). Yesterday, he sent me one text saying,
“Please tell me how you are going to work on your emotional regulation.”.

I’ve been praying to God and spoke to a pastor’s wife. I shared with her the circumstances and she told me that only thing I can do now is trust in the Lord which is wonderful advice and I agree 100%. But it is hard to deny that my situation is distressing right now.
She has mentioned that either God is removing him out of my life (unequally yoked) or God will renew his heart and save him, bring him to his wife.

I’m a firm believer against divorce as I know God hates it. However the circumstances here is that I am a devout lover of God, and my husband is not really Christian but likes the teachings of the Bible.
Please don’t lecture me about marrying an unbeliever, I know my wrongs but he had also misled me.

Let me also add that my husband and I have an age gap. 27F and 45M. Also I know 100% there is no chance of cheating or that he met someone else. This is caused by our relationship problems.
I’m sorry that this post is all over the place, thank you for reading.

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u/e99y0lk — 3 days ago

Newly married roles

I'm just married for 7 months now and my husband and I have had some life changing circumstances. So we're discussing the role of man to protect and provide and the women to nurture and grow.

Now my husband is all about Christian values, for which I am truly grateful, but he thinks I should work and I would like to stay at home. He is able to comfortably allow this but he gets stressed out by financial stress.

So to ensure our home is peaceful I am going to work. But I am feeling some kind of way because i have the desire to stay home and raise my future kids.

Also to his credit my husband does work damn hard and provides for us presently. I just see how the stress of financial instability gets him down and that bothers me.

Any opinions would be appreciated.

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u/SuSo2020 — 3 days ago

How to respect husband while discouraging kids from copying him

Basically what the title says. My husband does things like: track mud into the house unapologetically, outright refuse to clean up messes he makes, snub what I cooked so he can eat a bag of chips instead, and chronically forget many things coupled with insisting he shouldn't have to keep his word.

These and similar behaviors are things my kids (under 6) notice and want to copy. They also explicitly try and justify such bad behaviors because "Dad does it". I'm stuck in the hard position of having to explain that these behaviors aren't acceptable, even if they see them modeled.

I want to respect my husband and at the same time make it clear that the things he often does are not OK. I also don't boys to grow up thinking that this kind of behavior is how they should treat their wives someday, or girls thinking that they should normalize this from a husband.

How would you handle this in the most biblical and loving way possible?

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u/flowerstone — 3 days ago

Depressed husband

My husband (31M) and I (25F) got married on the 1st of Jan 2026. I was early in my first trimester of pregnancy (now 30 weeks pregnant) and was really sick so we didn’t go on a honeymoon until late April. We got back from our honeymoon about a month ago now and my husband has really been struggling. I think there’s a multitude of reasons for this so I’ll go through all of them.

  1. Questioning his faith
    I was raised Christian, but he came to faith on his own in recent years, so he’s still relatively new to his faith. But on our honeymoon he had lots of time to read the Bible, and he had so many questions. Every time he tried to find an answer to a question, the answer gave him 4 more questions. They’re not even questions I’ve ever heard asked growing up in church so I have no idea how to answer them either. They’re really good questions to be fair, and I’m not surprised he’s so shaken up about the absence of answers. Some of the questions I don’t think anyone can answer. So yeah, he’s not sure what God to believe in right now, whether Jesus was God, what the purpose of life is, etc.

  2. Sleep & fatigue
    For months now he’s been struggling a LOT with fatigue. He’s ALWAYS tired, even when he wakes up. We spent months doing bloodwork and seeing doctors / naturopaths / Chinese medicine doctors. All his bloodwork was perfect, so a few weeks ago we thought we’d try a CPAP to see if it might be a sleep issue / sleep apnea. It helped the first night, but since then we’ve just had ongoing issues with it and it ends up waking him up too often and he’s waking up in the morning feeling worse than before. It’s driving him insane, he barely has energy to go to work, make food when he gets home, or go out and do anything.

  3. Work
    When we got married he was doing FIFO fitter work, but his background is mechanical engineering. We thought it would be best for him to get back into that for future career progression. He found a job but had to drop his salary from $200k to $100k for it. The first few paychecks were pretty depressing for him. Anyway the work ended up not being quite what he expected and he’s not enjoying it as much as he thought he would. So the work, in addition to the salary, plus lack of sleep and him questioning his faith, he’s fed up with the job and is considering going back to FIFO.

All in all, things were ok before our honeymoon, but since we got back from our honeymoon he said he’s enjoyed nothing, he’s felt tired constantly and hasn’t been able to escape it, and he’s barely left the house even to go to the gym (which he usually does several times a week). I’ve tried supporting him where I can; making sure he has breakfast & lunch for work, doing everything I can to help him figure out his fatigue, trying to organise fun things for us to do together. But I’m just watching him get worse. And I’m acutely aware that when our baby comes things are going to get so much harder and I’m not going to have as much energy to support him. And right now, he can’t even support himself so he’s not going to be able to do anything for me so I’m pretty much going to be on my own. I do have my mum though.

It’s really hard watching him suffer & spiral. Nothing I do seems to help.

TL/DR;
Husband is struggling with sleep and fatigue (quite possibly has sleep apnea and the CPAP hasn’t been helping), questioning his faith, not enjoying his work, and getting progressively worse and less motivated. We’re expecting a baby in September and I’m worried how things are going to go when we don’t even have children yet and they’re already going downhill.

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u/randomrandom0000_ — 3 days ago