Hope for the Separated: Wounded Marriages Can Be Healed (Paperback)

by Gary D. Chapman (Author), Gary Chapman (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Even when love is lost and hope is gone, God's Word still has the power to heal. Hope for the Separated explains why the biblical ideal for a separated couple is reconciliation. It reveals how to draw on the power of God's Word to heal broken relationships.

About the Author
GARY CHAPMAN is the author of the New York Times bestselling The Five Love Languages book series. He is the director of Marriage and Family Life Consultants, Inc., and travels around the world presenting seminars. Gary's radio program airs on more than 100 stations. For more information, visit (www.garychapman.org.) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 142 pages
• Publisher: Moody Publishers (October 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802436366
• ISBN-13: 978-0802436368
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #221,042 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW! TALK ABOUT A WAKE UP CALL!, October 13, 1998

By A Customer

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! This book was so moving, insightful and eye opening that I read it ~three times~ over the course of one weekend. Gary Chapman truly gives you hope when you feel there is none. Its message is that separation can lead to a restored, enriched, growing marriage and the book shows you how. The part that hit home the most with me was that you don't have to be a slave to your past behaviors, you CAN change.

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It was very eye opening for me, December 20, 2004

By	Sara Swihart (Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I read this book thinking that it would have all of the answers for getting him back. In reading it, I realized that getting him back would be pointless.

He has to want to work things out. - It reminded me of Exodus with Moses and Pharoah. Pharoah's heart was hard and he would not let the people of Israel go.

Chapman states that just because something is God's will, He did give human beings free will, so they may decide to go against God's will.

I like how Chapman backs up his books with Scripture. Using the book as a guide, I was able to note some of the faults I'd made in the relationship, and some that I've made since.

I would like to seek reconciliation, but he as to want it to. In the end, he may decide that he would much rather part, and that is something that I'm going to have to accept.

Chapter 6 - Long Distance Love
This chapter takes 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and breaks it down. Each section of this chapter is one of the characteristics of LOVE from Paul's letter the the people of Corinth. Seeing it broken down makes it much easier to digest.

Chapter 8 - How Do I Handle The Loneliness
Fellowship with others!

Chapter 10 - If Your Spouse Returns
I thought that this sounded a little idealist. Chapman said to call, but I tried email. Either way, he can choose to listen to the voicemail or deleted. With email, he can choose to read it or delete it.

Using the other information that Chapman gives in steps toward reconciliation, I strongly recommend seeing a pastor at your church or a Christian counselor. A non-Christian counselor will be of little benefit if you are working toward a Christ-centered relationship.

Chapter 11 - If You Spouse Demands Divorce
This chapter was difficult to read because I was going through the "what if" in my head. It's not what I want to think about, but I have to at least acknowledge that it is a possibility.

Chapter 12 - Facing the Future
Jesus said, "Give us this DAY our DAILY bread." In Exodus, God only allowed the people to gather enough manna for one day. Plan your day. (In another book, "The Love Languages of God", he mentions a woman whose husband left her, but each morning she gives the day to God. She isn't crying over her husband, she's celebrating her life.)

Sometimes, you've done all you can do, and you just have to leave the rest up to God.

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars If only all marital crisis could be solved this easily..., January 21, 2004

By	"britgam" (Belton, TX United States) - See all my reviews

I bought this book because of the word hope that appears so boldly on the cover. While there are some nuggets of Biblical and practical truths,I can't help but question the simplicity of the adviced shared. Marital separations and crisis are usually the result of many factors. For a once loving spouse to reject the other and totally walk out of the marriage, takes years and layers of problems. The suggestion of this book is to show love to the rejector. Then after showing this love, resolute in your mind that you want to reconcile. Call up the spouse that has hurt you beyond words,betrayed your absolute trust in him and left you to take care of all of life's situations by yourself and ask him for a "healing" dinner date?!?!?
If you want a book that truly gives HOPE and a Biblical gameplan for enduring a separation and restoring a marriage read "Love Must Be Tough" by James Dobson. I refer to it daily and it gives me HOPE and reassurance each time. I also like the fact that it addresses other causes of marital crisis besides extra marital affairs.
If you can totally pinpoint the reason for your separation and that reason is the only factor in the crisis, then this book and the "healing dinner date" will probably be of great encouragement to you. If the reasons lie deeper, seek out a copy of "Love Must Be Tough".