Men of Iron Podcast
A Wife’s Journey Through Marriage Struggles (EP. 253)
“It’s become easier since he’s stepped up as the spiritual leader of our family, and that’s all since Men of Iron.” – Jen
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Join us for Part 3 of The Wives Restoration Series with Jen Rhoads! A four-part series giving us a glimpse into the lives of 4 different wives and their side of their husband’s restoration story.
Jen grew up in a conservative religious family, knowing she was loved but never hearing it. She became a Christian at 13, motivated more by the fear of going to hell than a love for God. Marlin experienced a very similar upbringing, they met at a Bible school one summer, and would eventually get married. Early challenges in the marriage arose as they left their home church, stopped attending church altogether, and Marlin started hanging out with the wrong crowd. These unhealthy habits eventually led to Marlin asking Jen to move out.
Despite these trials, Jen’s unwavering faith carried her. In 2012, after a season of separation, Marlin wanted to get back together but it wouldn’t last long. After their daughter was born Jen discovered that Marlin was having an affair and now faced with the pain of a second separation. Through it all, Jen leaned on God, practicing what she calls “benevolent detachment,” releasing burdens and trusting in His plan. A turning point came when she felt God promise a shift in their marriage—and in November 2014, Marlin sought to reconcile again.
Fast forward to 2020, during another rough patch, Marlin signed up for a one-to-one mentorship with Men of Iron. The mentorship transformed his life. The encouragement and camaraderie from another man helped Marlin grow as a husband, father, and spiritual leader. Today, Jen sees the fruits of this decision—their marriage has stability, their children feel the peace in their home, and Jen has found it easier to trust God.
If you are looking to take the next step in your faith journey, let us be a resource for you, contact us today – menofiron.org/contact-us
Regardless of where you are in your journey, we have the tools and experiences for you. We provide one-to-one coaching, small group, and retreat curriculum. To know God is an adventure, and we are calling all men to conquer the mountain ahead of us. Men, it’s time to climb! >>> MENOFIRON.ORG/THECLIMB
SHOW NOTES:
- Today we continue The Wives Restoration Series with Jen Rhoads, a four-part series giving us a glimpse into the lives of 4 different wives and their side of their husband’s restoration story
- Jen is the wife of Marlin Rhoads, Marlin was a featured Men of Iron story last year.
- Jen grew up in a conservative religious family, and was very much a rule follower
- “I never heard my parents say that they love me, I just knew that they did”
- “I became a Christian at 13 because I was scared to go to hell.”
- Jen met Marlin at a 3-week Bible school
- We went in to marriage barely knowing each other
- A year and a half into our marriage we left our home church and went to a more liberal church
- After we left our church things started to go downhill in our marriage
- We stopped going to church
- He started hanging out with the wrong crowd, going to bars on the weekends
- As the years went by, it got more and more scary for me
- “I was trying to control the situation, instead of trusting God.”
- In 2011 he wanted to separate, and wanted me out of the house
- I was a believer that divorce was not an option, so I knew we would get back together
- Often times we just want to stay in our comfort zone and not be tested
- In 2012 Marlin called and wanted to work on getting back together
- After our daughter was born I found out Marlin was having an affair and wanted to get a divorce
- This was the second time that Marlin walked out of our marriage
- Even during this hard season I was never depressed, I knew that God was with me
- “I really leaned on God during this time and it was a beautiful thing.”
- Nothing can be that bad if you have God
- It wasn’t a detachment from Marlin out of revenge or anger it’s what you could call a “Benevolent detachment” – a spiritual practice of releasing things and people that weight heavy on you
- In July or August 2014, I felt God clearly tell me, “Look at November 12, something is going to shift in your marriage.”
- In November of that year Marlin and I went out to eat and he said he wanted to get back together
- In 2020 we were going through a rough season again, this was when a friend from work suggested Men of Iron
- “I am surprised how much of a difference Men of Iron made in Marlin’s life.”
- It was the 1-to-1 mentorship, he became a more level and balanced person.”
- “It was getting advice and camaraderie from another guy, a guy to speak life into him and give him encouragement.”
- When we are going through hard seasons Marlin is now the rock in these situations
- I’ve seen so much good fruit come out of Marlin over these last few years
- Our kids have seen and felt the stability in our marriage
- Letting go and trusting God is a journey
- “It’s become easier since he’s stepped up as the spiritual leader of our family, and that’s all since Men of Iron.”
- Men, you cannot do this on your own. Let us be a resource for you, contact us today
- If this podcast has impacted you in a positive way, please take the time to leave us a rating and a review
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