Last week my husband and I attended the AACC Marriage America conference in Orlando. Gary Thomas, author of Sacred Marriage and leader of one of the tracks I’d selected, discussed a concept that stood out for me. In Thomas’ class he outlined the seasons of marriage. The first of the marital seasons he aptly named, Infatuation Insanity.

I’d venture to say that we’ve all experienced this phenomenon at one time or another in our lives. Depending on how long you’ve been married—you may remember it clearly or rather vaguely—but it’s that dreamy, just-can’t-wait-to-be-with-you stage in a new relationship. 

In my class, Gary Thomas rather eloquently stated that this stage …

When I heard that quote—aside from wanting to laugh at the blunt reality—I thought about how appropriately it described the allure of an affair. After all, most affairs are short-lived—meaning once the “Infatuation Insanity” wears off, you lose interest in your illicit love. You come to your senses because the reality has begun to set in, giving you a peek at the mess behind the mask.

So here’s my point … perhaps you think that someone new is better looking or kinder or more attentive or more communicative or whatever than your spouse. Perhaps you’ve allowed yourself to think much too long about this new person and you’re beginning to feel that euphoric feeling that comes with the insanity of infatuation. Allow me to echo Gary Thomas’ words as a wake up call …

If that’s where you find yourself—wondering if someone else would make a better wife or husband, then please face the facts …

I know that if you’ve allowed yourself to go down that road for very long, I’m probably not getting through to you. But I want to pray for you. I want to pray for those of you who have a wandering heart. And I want to also pray for those of you that are the victims of an “insane” and unfaithful spouse.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (NLT)

Photo credit – o5com (Flickr)