Will the Coronavirus Bring Divorce to You?

Richard Hollerman

You may wonder why we would ask such a question. You may be intrigued by our inquiry. How could a disease really cause one to come to the end of a marriage?  Yes, some marriages are very strained, but could this actually be the setting for a complete breakdown of the relationship?

One article puts it this way: “As couples self-isolate due to coronavirus, lawyers expect a rise in divorces.” (https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/25/coronavirus-lawyers-expect-a-rise-in-divorces-after-self-isolation.html

In other words, when husband and wives isolate themselves and keep themselves from others, some lawyers say that this could bring a divorce! Another article asks the penetrating question: “WILL DIVORCE RATES JUMP BECAUSE OF CORONAVIRUS?”

https://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/will-divorce-rates-jump-because-of-coronavirus/

Of course, the disease itself could not bring a divorce. People cause divorces. A husband or a wife or both may cause the conditions that would be the breeding ground for separation and divorce. But the disease didn’t really cause it.

It is one thing for us to make the Biblical pronouncement, God doesn’t want a separation or subsequent divorce. It is against His will. And, of course, this is true. As God has said, “I hate divorce” (Malachi 2:16a).  Jesus our Lord has also warned, “I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity (pornea, “fornication”), makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery” (Matthew 5:32). And, as the Lord also declared, “Whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery” (Matthew 19:9; see also Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18; Romans 7:2-3; 1 Corinthians7:10-11)).

However, even in the light of God’s forbidding divorce, we know that there are some who feel so distraught, so frustrated, so confused, and so disturbed, that they think that there is no way out. They are willing to go to the length of divorcing instead of bearing with the problem of living with another person. We have discussed many different issues relating to divorce, remarriage, separation, and adultery on these pages. If you will go to the Search engine and type in those words, surely you will find many different relevant articles dealing with this.

Some husbands and wives were able to deal with their marriage since they seldom actually saw each other and had to interact. Maybe one traveled extensively. Perhaps one of them had a job that required much time at work, away from the spouse. With the virus and the restrictions it has placed on the couple, they must learn to deal with the pain and anguish, along with the bitterness and conflict. When it seemingly becomes unbearable, one or both of them decides to end it all.

Perhaps a few comments are in order:

First, familiarize yourself with the restrictions that God places on marriage and ending a marriage. We have listed a number of the prominent ones above. It would be very important to know what God says before we proceed further.

Second, if one of the parties is not a Christian at all, hopefully he or she will take this opportunity to consider a relationship with God. Even in the midst of difficulties, perhaps the person may ask whether now is the time to submit to Christ’s Lordship and call on God for His salvation.

Third, if you have anything to do with it, perhaps now is the time to make some major changes in your life. Turn off or throw away the TV and begin talking with each other. Shut off or throw out the radio and the worldly music that comes with it—all of which detracts from meaningful communication. Discontinue the newspaper delivery and begin to read good books, either separately or together—especially the Word of God! Teach and train your children while they are away from school. Begin to practice thrift in the midst of the loss of your job. All of this may help to cement your relationship.

Fourth, in a practical way, now may be the time to settle down and begin to live in a more orderly mode, a more practical manner, a more economical way of living. Probably you don’t have the use of your car as before. Use this as a stimulus for a good cause. Both you and your spouse could begin an exercise program or take long walks together in a natural setting. If not outside, you could begin to exercise together inside.

Fifth, you could also spend time making very economical recipes during this time. This could be the time for exploration—together. And if you limit your learning to healthy and more nutritious fare, this could be for your good. Together, you could work with each other for a healthier relationship—both physically as well as spiritually.

Surely there would be many more suggestions that would bring you closer together instead of dividing you and causing you to separate even more. The two articles with which we began this article above would provide additional resources.

So we encourage you not to allow this Coronavirus to cause your separation or divorce, but to allow it to bring you closer.  We are aware that many of the marriages in society need to be separated since they involve adultery (perhaps because of a previous marriage and illegitimate divorce).

But if you are in a God-approved marriage, He surely would want your relationship to continue.  If you are living in either fornication (without marriage) or adultery (in a sinful remarriage relationship), perhaps now is the time to make things right through repentance and restitution. But, as we have mentioned, if you are in a marriage that is pleasing to God, now is the time to recommit yourself to Him and to each other. Use this dreadful disease of Coronavirus for God’s glory and honor!