A Case Study: Mary's Husband Has Left Her

Introduction

Broken and fractured lives are all around us. Scripture tells us to prepare ourselves to meet the needs of others. This preparation must be done in accordance with God’s Word to achieve God’s purposes (based on Matthew 7:1-5; Romans 15:14; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, 5:18-19; Galatians 6:1-2; 2 Timothy 2:15, 3:16-17; James 1:25). The following case study illustrates the practical sufficiency of God’s Word and His resources in any difficulty, no matter how severe or prolonged. The case study will be expanded in later lessons.

CASE STUDY

Mary and her husband (Tom) have lived in your town for six years. Mary is a professing believer in Christ. Tom seems to have no interest in spiritual matters. They have three children: two teenagers (a boy, 14, and a girl, 13) and a small daughter (3 years old). Mary began attending worship services at your church about four months ago, but she had always attended by herself. On two occasions, you had talked briefly to Mary after the worship service, but you did not have an opportunity to discuss spiritual matters. Ever though you had looked for her, you had no seen Mary in church for three weeks.

A few days ago, you unexpectedly saw Mary at the market and briefly talked to her. At that meeting, Mary introduced you to her husband, Tom. When Mary mentioned your church, Tom said that the building would probably collapse if he ever came. In the course of the conversation, you discovered that Tom and Mary live only six blocks from your home.

Later that week, Mary came to your house in the early evening. She asked to speak privately with you and announced that her husband had left her quite unexpectedly.

She was in a highly emotional state (weeping, frantic in her tone of voice, disheveled) and told you that she and her husband argued last night and had continued their argument throughout that day. She went on to say that their children had overheard much of their conversation, and their smallest daughter had cried during much of this time.

She continued by saying that Tom had packed his clothes in his suitcase about an hour ago and said he was leaving her and wasn’t coming back. She tearfully exclaimed that this was totally quite a surprise.

She told you she has been a good wife and can’t understand how this could have happened to her. She stated that she cannot understand how her husband can be so insensitive.

She said that she is now bitter toward her husband and also threatened to get even with him for walking out on her. She went on to say that she was miserable and wanted you to help her.

In light of the above description, answer the following questions.

At this point, what is Mary’s understanding of the basic problem?

What is Mary’s primary problem from Gods’ view?

What additional problems could result if Mary continues responding in the same way (for example: depression, anxiety, suicide, murder, living as a recluse, physical or emotional breakdown, alcohol and drug us)? What else?

Will studying this case only help married people or do the principles apply to everyone regardless of age and marital status? Explain.

How would you give hope to Mary?