The Emotionally Destructive Marriage

How to Find Your Voice and Reclaim Your Hope

By: Leslie Vernick

Narrated by: Leslie Vernick

Something Has to Change….

You can't put it into words, but something is happening to you. Your stomach churns, your heart aches, and the tension in your marriage is making you feel weary and a little crazy. The constant criticism, disrespect, cruelty, deceit, and gross indifference are eroding your confidence and breaking your spirit.

For any woman caught in an emotionally destructive marriage, Leslie Vernick offers a personalized path forward. Based on decades of counseling experience, her intensely practical, biblical advice will show you how to establish boundaries and break free from emotional abuse. Learn to:

• identify damaging behaviors
• gain the skills to respond wisely
• promote healthy change
• stay safe
• understand when, why, and even how to leave
• recognize that God sees and hates what is happening to you

Trying harder to be a perfect fantasy wife won’t help fix what’s wrong your marriage. Discover instead how you can initiate effective changes to stop the cycle of destruction and restore hope for the future.

©2014 Leslie Vernick (P)2014 eChristian

Critic reviews

"Women in an emotionally abusive marriage do not need another book on how to have a good marriage; those books rub salt in raw wounds. No, they desperately need this book so that they can diagnose just how bad their marriage is and then, with Leslie’s clear expertise, develop a plan that will either begin to turn their marriage around...or give them a wise route of escape." (Dee Brestin, author of Idol Lies and the Friendships of Women)

Christian View of Difficult Marriages

There are some really helpful books available on this subject ( and even quite good ones). However, Vernick gives a Christian perspective which is sorely needed in this area. I couldn't stop listening and I will go back and listen again.

I especially appreciated Vernick reading her own work. She has a lovely voice for narration and it added a lot a credibility to the material being presented.

all leaders should read this book

fabulous book. Been in a strange situation in my marriage trying to decide what to do about staying in it. This book is very helpful. everyone in leadership in a church should be required to read it. some some marriages really just you need Godly help people don't know how to give it, this book will help

great steps

very very helpful, I think it's going to be super beneficial in restoring our marriage

Fantastic information

I loved this book. It was very informative, especially for a woman that has lived through abuse.

Great book on ABUSE!

This book was easy to listen to. I learned a lot. thank you. I bought a physical copy as well.

Amazing, Insightful, Essential

I want to give this book to everyone I know. It is essential for Christians and helpful for non-Christians who are in helping professions as well (assuming the can get past the “Christianese” to apply the principles in a way that makes sense to them). This book debunks the myth that God wants you to stay in your marriage no matter how much it is harming you. The truth is God cares about the individuals in the marriage more than preserving a false marriage. Also helpful for those in disappointing marriages distinguish that type of relationship from a destructive one. Every woman and man should read this to encourage healthy relationships and to recognize others who may be in destructive relationships and need help.

Clarity that I needed!

Great information for someone who is in a covert emotionally abusive Christian marriage. Very biblically grounded, and clear truthful advice of what a victim needs to do. I was encouraged, affirmed, rebuked, counselled and guided through the reading.

Great book for people struggling with EA or Spiritual abuse!!

This book was everything I’ve been looking for. In my current season, spiritual abuse is rampant and amidst betrayal and emotional abuse. I’m an emotional mess. With a husband lacking true contrition and repentance for ten years of abuse. This book has given me a little confidence. To give grace and give an opportunity for restoration, however the confidence to know that is okay to walk away if change doesn’t occur and I’m not breaking my vows to God. I have shared this book with my husband. Not sure if it will help him on his spiritual journey, but at least my actions can be completely transparent and justified in our future. So worst case, by sharing it might make a smoother transition in separation or divorce. (Commitment to truth and reality) She shares a lot of wisdom and biblical guidance. PDFs are available online through a google search and her website has loads of content. Definitely recommend if you need help.

Great Resource!

This book offers sound biblical and practical ways to understand and address emotional abuse in marriages. Leslie not only provides the biblical guidelines, she also provides specific and clear action steps. This book gives hope and clarity to those who are in abusive relationships. A must read for those who work with couples or in marriage ministry.

Hanging in by a thread ....

I really enjoyed the content of this book and it described my situation very closely—I told my Pastor I was hanging on by a thread! I have been physically separated from my husband for 13 months. I am not sure what the outcome will be at this time. I take one day at a time. Your book definitely resonated with me!