Are your feelings of sadness and discouragement just common feelings, or do they hint at something more serious? Read through these warning signs of depression and see for yourself:

1. Deep sadness

We all feel sad and discouraged from time to time. Sometimes we don't even want to get out of bed and go to work. Instances of sadness (and not wanting to go to work on Mondays) are normal. But long periods of intense and frequent sadness that affect your daily life hint towards depression. If your feelings of sadness also include feeling lonely, crying, isolation and hopelessness, address your concerns with your doctor.

2. Problems sleeping

Depression often causes problems sleeping - WebMD reports that 15 percent sleep too much, but as much as 80 percent of those with depression have trouble falling (or staying) asleep. New research even suggests that problems sleeping can be an early warning sign of depression in some people. Paying attention to your sleeping habits can help clue you into a correct diagnosis, so you can get the treatment you need.

3. Negative thoughts

"Everyone hates me," "I can't do anything right," "I'm a failure" and "I'm ugly/fat/dumb" are all phrases you should never say to yourself, but commonly, those with depression also suffer pervasive negative thoughts.

4. Disinterest and apathy

People with depression lose complete interest in people, working, having fun and life in general. If your feelings of sadness and loneliness are preventing you from living a normal and healthy life (like participating in your hobbies and being around people you love), that's a warning sign of depression.

5. Low self-esteem

Low self-esteem generates anxiety, fear and depression. A person with shaken self-esteem feels inferior and unworthy of those around them - physically and intellectually. These feelings can lead to more feelings of isolation and a deepening sense of loneliness.

6. Loss of interest in appearance

A person with depression will sometimes lose their drive to get dressed, shower, get ready for the day or put effort into their appearance. Along with an unwillingness to get out of bed and face the world, those with depression frequently lose the will to make an effort.

7. Physical pain

In addition to deep sadness, depression manifests itself physically through various types of pain. The most common symptoms are:

• Worsened chronic pain
• Headaches
• Back pain
• Muscle and joint pain
• Chest pain

If you're experiencing any of these seven symptoms, please seek a professional immediately. Depression isn't something that will just "go away". Therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists are happy to help you and set you on your way to happiness. Depression is a serious, yet often silent illness. Don't fall victim to such a silent suffering - you deserve all the happiness in the world.

This article was adapted and translated from the original "7 sinais que mostram que você tem depressão" which was originally published on familia.com.br."

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Julio Pena and his wife Kari are the proud parents of four daughters, and were wanting the gender of their next baby to be a complete surprise. For the "gender reveal" party, the couple asked the doctor to seal the ultrasound results in an envelope - the couple then gave the envelope to their 17-year-old daughter, Chastity.

Chastity was responsible for ordering a colored cake (frosted in white) for the party. The cake's color would represent the sex of the baby - pink if it was a girl, or blue for a boy.

The hour of revelation

Surrounded by family and friends, it was finally time for the family to know if they were expecting daughter number five, or if they were finally having a boy. The parents-to-be were very anxious, especially Julio.

Momma Kari starts cutting the cake and gets a peek at the color inside before her anxious husband does - but when he saw the results for himself, he went into complete shock - the filling was blue! He was finally getting a son. In all the hollering and excitement, Julio collapsed behind the table.

He told ABC News, "It was like I collapsed and fainted at the same time."

The viral YouTube video

Friends and family rushed to help him off the ground; the father seemed OK, just completely shocked and thrilled. "I've been waiting for this for a long time. For a boy ... they had to sit me down in the sofa and I couldn't say anything. I was like in shock." Julio said in an interview with ABC News.

Kari said her husband was already shaking before they cut the cake, and he was so nervous to find out what they were having.

Their hilariously adorable video went viral with over 2.5 million views - certainly a warm welcome to the newest addition to the Pena family. Their baby boy was born June 2016 to a very excited family. Congratulations to the darling Pena family!

This article was adapted and translated from the original "Pai de 4 filhas desmaia ao descobrir o sexo do novo bebê que estava a caminho" which was originally published on familia.com.br.

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Young mom Katie Crenshaw was sick and tired of people staring at her beautiful little girl, Charlie, with pity in their eyes, followed by the question, "What's wrong with her face?" So, she decided to let everyone know exactly what was on her sweet daughter's face.

Her birthmark doesn't define her

In her viral blog post, Katie shared a touching story of her daughter. It was a response to the way family, friends and strangers treated her six-month-old Charlie. Katie said, "We don't need to talk about it every time you look at her. We see past the color of her face. Charlie is Charlie and it's part of who she is. It doesn't need to be constantly commented on, critiqued, or questioned."

She went on to discuss the wonderful things about her daughter that are often overlooked because of her birthmark. Crenshaw says, "It's a part of [Charlie's] unique beauty. It may never disappear, and guess what? It doesn't have to. I would much rather chat about her latest milestone achievement, her amazing smile or how gorgeous her eyes are."

So, what exactly is the birthmark?

According to Katie, Charlie was diagnosed with capillary hemangioma. In short, this means she has a non-cancerous tumor. Sometimes called "strawberry birthmarks", capillary hemangiomas typically show up within the first six months of life. Most cases will go away on their own without any treatment, but others have to be watched so they don't grow too large. Charlie took a medication that prevented the birthmark from growing and blocking her vision.

Some people suggested cosmetic surgery

Some people tried to convince this mother to schedule a cosmetic surgery procedure for Charlie so she could avoid future bullying. To this, she says, "As a mother, I obviously don't want ... my kids to ever hurt. I want them to be happy and loved and have a large circle of friends. However, I am not naive enough to believe that these things will come from the color of one of their cheeks."

No need to feel sorry

According to her blog, Katie used to get comments all the time like, "I'm praying that it goes away" or "Bless her poor little heart." But, instead of praying her daughter's unique birthmark away, she says, "pray that she grows into a confident girl who loves herself no matter what she looks like. Pray that constant comments and opinions from friends, family and strangers will end before she's old enough to overhear them."

This beautiful little girl will no doubt grow up to be a strong, loving and incredible woman.

This article was adapted and translated from the original "Cansada de ver as pessoas falando apenas do 'defeito' no rosto da sua filha, essa mãe reage de maneira fantástica" which was originally published on familia.com.br.

The post This mother has a fantastic reaction after people speak only of her daughter’s ‘defective’ face appeared first on FamilyToday.

A father from Australia was vacuuming his baby's room when he discovered an unpleasant surprise: a snake near his son's crib.

Horrified to see such a dangerous animal near his son's bed, the father immediately contacted a company that specializes in catching venomous animals - the Snake Hunters of Sunshine Coast. He reported he had found a deadly brown snake - one of the most dangerous snakes in the world. The specialists rushed over.

Luckily, it was not as dangerous as they thought

Upon arrival at the site, the specialists identified the snake as a mildly venomous yellow-faced whipsnake. Although this species is not typically deadly, a sting could be very painful, especially for a baby.

Adult whipsnakes can reach up to one meter in length.

When the Snake Hunters posted a photo of the baby room on their company Facebook Page, they challenged viewers to try spotting the hard-to-find snake in the picture. See if you can find it:

Don't feel bad if you can't spot it - it's pretty well hidden. The snake is hiding to the left of the crib, on the floor, between the box of diapers and the wall.

Similar cases

The picture is more than a fun snake version of Where's Waldo - it's an example of how easily dangers can hide in your children's rooms.

Similar snake cases are not as rare as some people would expect.

One Florida boy told his dad he was hearing noises in their attic and believed it was a snake. The dad discounted the son's suspicions at first, thinking the noise was just caused by rats. But when he went up to check it out, he discovered a boa constrictor had been living in the same house as his young kids for years.

A few years ago, an Australian mom woke up at night to the sound of her cat hissing. She looked over at where her daughter was sleeping and was horrified to find a boa constrictor wrapping around and biting her child. She yanked the two apart and called 911. An ambulance rushed them both to the hospital, where her daughter was treated for her injuries.

What to do when encountering a snake

The Professional Wildlife Removal Directory gives several pieces of advice on what to do if you find a snake in or near your home:

• If you find a snake in your yard, the best thing to do is leave it alone and wait for it to leave (keeping your children indoors meanwhile, of course).

• For snakes found inside garages and homes, use a long push broom to sweep away the snake at a safe distance.

• If you identify the snake as dangerous or are afraid to interact with it, hire a professional to come and remove it for you.

Remember to teach your kids proper safety around wild animals, and keep your family safe by always being attentive and aware of potential dangers.

_This article has been adapted and translated from the original "Pai encontra cobra escondida próximo ao berço de seu filho. Você consegue ver a cobra na imagem?" which was originally published on familia.com.br.

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During an ultrasound in her 20th week of pregnancy, doctors informed 22-year-old Amy Poole that her baby would be born a little differently. In the ultrasound, doctors found a soft tissue growing on her baby's face.

While she still had several months to prepare herself for her baby, Poole was still shocked when she held him in her arms for the first time. She gave birth at the University Hospital of Wales in February 2014.

This baby's brain was growing into his nose

"When they gave me Ollie to hold, I was so surprised that I almost couldn't speak. He was so tiny, but there was this enormous golf-ball-sized lump on his nose." said mother Poole, according to Little Things. "At first, I wasn't sure how I would cope. But I knew that I would love him no matter what he looked like."

Ollie was born with a rare condition known as Encephalocele, a disease in which a section of the brain protrudes through an opening in the skull. The boy's brain began to grow through a crevice in the skull into the nose, causing it to stretch.

But the boy's problem was not just aesthetic. As the months passed, the volume inside his nose increased - preventing him from breathing normally. The doctors explained to the mother that there was a risk that he would get an infection, such meningitis, if he stumbled and had a nosebleed. They insisted that an operation was necessary.

"I was so afraid of allowing Ollie to undergo such a big surgery!" Poole said to Fox News. "He was so fragile, and I could not bear the thought of losing him!"

In November 2014, Ollie underwent a successful. The doctors opened his skull, removed the bag with excess brain fluid and rebuilt his nose.

Luckily, Ollie is fully recovered now. He and his sister, Anabelle, have a lot of fun together. Poole said she even shows a sense of jealousy in her brother's nose, since all the attention is focused on the happy boy.

But unfortunately, not everyone looks at the boy with affection or compassion. Amy said she has heard many cruel comments from strangers.

"Once, a woman told me that I should never have given birth to him," she said. "I almost burst into tears! He has also been called 'ugly' sometimes."

A battle against prejudice

Because of this insensitive reaction, Amy is terrified at the thought of her son being bullied at school. To help prevent this, she is raising awareness so her child and other children are not subjected to cruel comments because of their differences.

Ollie will still have to undergo more surgeries in the future, but doctors need to wait to see how his skull continues to develop. Regardless of how the new surgeries will affect the boy's appearance, Amy has nothing but pride and love for her son.

"He is such a lovely boy and it's impossible not to adore him," she said. "To me, Ollie is perfect ... He is my little real-life Pinocchio. "I think he is absolutely perfect the way he is. There is nothing wrong with being different."

This article has been translated and adapted from the original "O médico viu um nariz enorme no ultrassom. Quando o bebê nasceu, sua mãe ficou espantada." It was originally published on familia.com.br.

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Since our teenage years, women have learned that shaving, plucking and waxing is part of a woman's beauty routine. It's as essential as bathing and brushing, right? But is it a needed step of female grooming, or has it been unnecessarily imposed by society?

One woman stopped shaving all together

Beautiful fitness blogger, Morgan Mikenas, doesn't care what society thinks when it comes to her beauty regime. She threw away her razor in 2016 and proudly displays the hairs on her legs and underarms.

Mikenas explained that her choice to stop shaving is not to protest anything. In her Youtube video, she explains: "I guess my number one reason why I stopped [shaving] was that it took so much time ... to get in the shower and have to shave everything, and then wash my hair and then wash my body." She was also bothered at how her hair felt prickly and itchy after shaving.

What her boyfriend thinks

She said she used to feel obligated to shave her legs to feel good and attractive. But last year, she just stopped shaving and thought if felt much better than shaving and began to feel quiet comfortable having hairy legs. In her video, Mikenas says how she "will never remove my body hair again ... I'm completely comfortable and I like it." The blogger also explained how that her boyfriend thinks that she looks beautiful either way.

What society thinks

While the beautiful blogger's intent was not to critique society, she did wonder what was being taught to young girls when she draws attention to an experience she had as a child care instructor. "One day, I took the children from the nursery where I work to swim, and as soon as they saw me in a bathing suit, they became incredibly alarmed and shouted 'Wow, you look like a man!' She was worried about how current generations are being taught.

How people have reacted

The reaction of people on the Internet couldn't be more diverse. Many have supported Mikenas' courage to do what she wants, regardless of the opinion of others. Others have referred to her hair using adjectives and phrases like "disgusting," "just puked", "bizarre" or "ugly."

And Mikenas' opinion? "Imagine if everyone just decided that today was they day the loved themselves and embraced every part of themselves," Mikenas said in her video.

Mikenas says she did not decide to expose her hairy legs and armpits to the word to encourage all women to give up shaving and waxing. Rather, she wants to inspire women to do what works best for each of them as individuals so that they feel great and comfortable, despite societal standards. She doesn't want women to feel they have to adhere to practices they don't like just to appear more acceptable to others.

"If you are focused on being true to yourself at every moment, you will be less concerned about what others think, which will lead to peace of mind," Mikenas said.

This article has been adapted and translated from the original "Blogueira ficou um ano sem se depilar e suas fotos provocam o maior burburinho entre os internautas" which was originally published on familia.com.br.

The post Blogger spends a year without shaving and her photos provoke huge internet buzz appeared first on FamilyToday.

Jefferson and Jessica's wedding ceremony was flowing smoothly until the reading of the marriage vows. Jefferson had reserved the biggest declaration of love for someone else, taking the bride and the rest of the congregation by surprise.

An unexpected statement of love

As Jefferson and Jessica are about to say their vows, Jefferson begins to read the vows he prepared for Jessica's daughter, Giovana. He lists several things that every real father should do for his daughter (or son). He continues to say, "I also give you love, my love, take care of you and always protect you, and [I vow] not to let anything bad happen to you."

He says he can't explain what he feels for her, after all he's just the "little stepfather." He says through tears, "If I could ask God anything, I would ask that he give you me as a daughter... I would be the proudest father in the world, for having such a beautiful, intelligent and educated daughter as you." He promised to always love her, protect her, and to make her happy. "I love you, my love!" He says, his eyes full of tears and with a choked voice. Little Gi, her mother, and everyone else watching were moved to sobbing tears.

Little Gi then picks up the microphone to thank him for everything he said, and she accepts him as her "father of heart." She expresses her feelings for him through a weeping voice.

Every parent, stepfather or future stepfather needs to watch this!

Hopefully this video will inspire every man, whether a biological father or father figure, to have a noble and sensitive demeanor when it comes to their children or stepchildren. Every child has the right to be raised by parents- biological, adoptive, or "borrowed," who truly love them.

The post Fiancé interrupts marriage vows to say he loved another person; his bride and everyone present wept appeared first on FamilyToday.

When a child is angry, things parents say can actually increase or prolong their irritation instead of soothing it. Instead of using frustrated and angry words, here's what to say:

1. "I see you're upset. Tell me what's going on."

Try this instead of, "stop complaining!"

2. "Let's go talk alone. You can open up to me."

This is much more effective than "Can't you see everyone watching? This is embarrassing."

3. "I love you!"

Instead of saying phrases that increase your anger towards your child like "I'm tired of you acting this way" always tell them you love them. It's a good way to remind them (and yourself) how special they are.

4. "It's OK to be angry. Sometimes I get angry too."

Instead of yelling at him and implying that he has no right to be angry, try explaining the emotions he is feeling - we all have them. Children just need to learn how to control these feelings. If you only yell at him to go to his room, he'll never learn how to calm down and think things through rationally.

5. "I can help you."

When he's frustrated about not being able to complete a task, calm him down by lovingly helping him. Use a teaching moment to distract him from his anger.

6. "How about something to eat or lying down for a bit? You may be annoyed because you are hungry or sleepy."

Instead getting irritated when he is bored or annoyed, give him a chance to change his attitude and find a solution to his anger.

7. "I'll be here when you're ready to talk."

If he locks himself away in his room, try telling him you're ready and willing to talk about things when he is.

8. "I know how you feel."

Don't belittle his feelings, even if the reason he's upset is irrational. Empathize with what he is going through.

9. "There will be other opportunities for you to try again."

If your son is upset after a big game or a disappointing test result, choose your words carefully. Tell him how proud you are for trying in the first place. Encourage him to try again and make sure he knows you love him.

10. "I'm sure things will be better tomorrow!"

Positivity is key when your son is feeling upset.

11. "How about we start all over again?"

Encourage him to keep going. Your son needs your love and support.

12. "What if we do this, instead of that?"

If your son is feeling frustrated, help him out by suggesting other options.

13. "You are so important to me. I don't like to see you like this."

Express how much you care to help him work through his frustration.

14. "Let me explain again. Could you repeat what I said? I want to see if you understand."

It's easy to lash out and say, "How many times do I have to repeat this? Why is it so difficult to understand?" But when you take the time to explain and make sure your child understands, you'll grow closer together.

15. "Come and give me a hug."

A kind and gentle touch will teach him so much more than a harsh spanking ever will.

Running headlong into an argument with your son is like having a snowball fight with rocks - everyone ends up getting hurt.

If you are constantly angry with your child or vice versa, consider seeking professional help from a therapist. One mother shared on her blog how she tried everything to reduce her son's fits of rage until she discovered that the root of the problem was much deeper than she had imagined. It was something that could have only been identified with the help of a trained professional. If you are concerned about your situation, maybe you should do the same.

This article was adapted and translated from the original, "15 frases para acalmar instantaneamente seu filho enfurecido, em lugar de outras que produzem efeito contrário." It was originally published on familia.com.br.

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Before naming your child after a significant biblical character, it is imperative to know at least some information about their life and what their name actually means.

Here are the origins and meanings of 50 male and female biblical names - with a few variations.

Girls

1. Abigail

Source: 1 Samuel 25:3

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "Father of Exaltation"

2. Hagar

Source: Genesis 16:1

Origin: Egyptian/Semitic

Meaning: "Foreigner," "the one who escaped" or "flight"

3. Ana/Anna/Hannah

Source: I Samuel 2:1

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "Favor" or "grace"

4. Claudia

Source: Matthew 27:19

Origin: Latin

Meaning: "Enclosure" or "haven"

5. Deborah

Source: Judges 4:4

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "Bee"

6. Diná/Dinah

Source: Genesis 34: 1

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "Judgment"

7. Esther

Source: Book of Esther

Origin: Persian

Meaning: "Star"

8. Eunice

Source: 2 Timothy 1:5

Origin: Greek

Meaning: "Good" or "victory"

9. Eva/Eve

Source: Genesis 3:20

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "Gathering," "declaration" or "humility"

10. Isabel

Source: Luke 1:13

Origin: Variation of the Hebrew name "Elisabeth."

Meaning:"God is oath" or "consecrated of God"

11. Joana/Johanna

Source: Luke 24:10

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "God has been gracious"

12. Lia/Leia/Leah

Source: Genesis 29:17

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "Weary"

13. Lydia

Source: Acts 1:14

Origin: Greek

Meaning: "From the almond tree"

14. Magdalene

Source: John 20:18

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "Tower of God"

15. Mary

Source: Matthew 1:16

Origin: Greek name that comes from the Hebrew name "Miriam"

Meaning: Many meanings have been attributed to this name, including "myrrh" and "stubbornness."

16. Martha

Source: Luke 10:40

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "Lady," "woman of the boss" or "housewife"

17. Miriam

Source: Micah 6:4

Origin: Egyptian

Meaning: "bitter" or "myrrh"

18. Naomi

Source: Ruth 2:1

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "Delightful" or "delight of the Lord"

19. Priscilla

Source: Romans 16:3

Origin: Latin

Meaning: "Longevity"

20. Rachel

Source: Genesis 29:18

Origin: Unsure, but one of the Semitic languages

Meaning: "Female sheep or ewe"

21. Rebecca

Source: Genesis 24:60

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "Tied" or "secure"

22. Ruth

Source: Book of Ruth

Origin: Unknown

Meaning: Since the origin of the name is unknown, there is a lot of speculation about its meaning. Some have suggested Ruth means "friend," "old lady" or "companion."

23. Sara/Sarah/Sarai

Source: Genesis 17:15

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "Princess" or "noble lady"

24. Tabitha

Source: Acts 9:36

Origin: It is the Aramaic name of Dorcas.

Meaning: "Gazelle" or "elegant"

25. Talita

Source: Mark 5:41

Origin: Aramaic

Meaning: It's not a proper name in the Bible, but it means "little girl."

BOYS

1. Abel

Source: Genesis 4:2

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "Stream"

2. Abraham

Source: Genesis 12:1-2

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "His strength"

3. Adam

Source: Genesis 2:7

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "Living man"

4. Ben-Hur

Source: I Kings 4:8

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "Son of Ur"

5. Benjamin

Source: Genesis 35:24

Origin: It comes from the Hebrew word Ben-iamin

Meaning: "Son of the right hand" or "beloved"

6. Caleb

Source: Numbers 32:12

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "Dog"

7. Carmel

1 Kings 18:20

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "Fruitful field"

8. Daniel

Source: The Book of Daniel

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "God is my judge"

9. David

Source: I Samuel 16:13

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "The beloved"

10. Emanuel

Source: Matthew 1:23

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "God is with us"

11. Enoch

Source: Genesis 5:22

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "Started" or "dedicated"

12. Stephen/Estevan

Source: Acts 6:18

Origin: Greek

Meaning: "Crown"

13. Felipe

Source: John 1:44

Origin: Greek

Meaning: "He who leans on his military complex"

14. Gabriel

Source: Luke 1:26

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "Man of God"

15. Isaac/Isaac

Source: 1 Chronicles 1:34

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "He will laugh"

16. Israel

Source: Genesis 46:1

Origin: Unknown

Meaning: "He will be a prince with God" or "God's governor"

17. Jacob

Source: Genesis 46:2

Origin: From the Latin name Iacubus

Meaning: "Supplanter" or "he who holds the heel"

18. John/Johann

Source: 1 John

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "The Lord is gracious"

19. Joseph

Source: Genesis 37:3

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "He (God) will add," "increaser" or "may God add"

20. Joshua

Source: Book of Joshua

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "The Lord is salvation"

21. Levi

Source: Genesis 35:23

Origin: The origin of this word is disputed. But experts have narrowed it down to Minaean word for "priest" or from the Hebrew word "iawa" which means "to join."

Meaning: "Joined"

22. Mathew/Matheus

Source: Matthew 9:9

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "Gift of the Lord"

23. Moses

Source: Numbers 20:6

Origin: It could be from the Latin name "Mosheh," but it also might come from the Egyptian word for water.

Meaning: "He who extracts" or "he who draws out of the waters"

24. Samuel

Source: 1 Samuel 3:4

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: "Heard of God" or "name of God"

25. James

Source: Acts 1:13

Origin: Derived from the Hebrew name "Ya'akov" (Jacob)

Meaning: James doesn't have a meaning, but Jacob means "Supplanter" or "he who holds the heel."

This is a translation and adaptation of the original article, "50 nomes bíblicos poderosos para dar a seu bebê - suas origens e significados," published on familia.com.br.

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I often recieve messages from readers who explain their serious and devastating problems in their marriage. I always strive to help them identify the problem, suggest ways to treat their wounds and help them rescue their love. Some situations, however, require immediate action. There are many people who need the courage to escape from their toxic relationships as soon as possible.

Though there are men who are victims in abusive relationships, women are most often on the recieving end. Women who are abused often avoid divorce due to fear of loneliness, financial hardship or because of their fear for their children's wellbeing. I once had a reader confide in me that she feared for her life, because her husband had made threats to kill her if she ever mentioned divorce again.

My intention in writing this article is to shed light on valid reasons for a woman or husband to seek a divorce without violating sacred marital vows made before God.

Here are five situations when divorce is justified before God:

1. Physical, moral, psychological, sexual and property violence

Any form of domestic violence is considered a crime. God condemns violence in the same way. He said, "So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself" (Ephesians 5:28). "And the wife see that she reverence her husband" (Ephesians 5:33).

A man who loves his wife (and vice versa) according to these commandments, will abstain from any violent acts. If he does not, he will break this divine law and will not be worthy of the woman he married.

2. Idleness

The Lord said to Adam, "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread" (Genesis 3:19).

Since the Lord commanded man to labor and inspired his Apostles to give the same instructions, there is no excuse for a husband or wife who does not want to work or provide for their family.

A man's family is his stewardship. The Lord will punish those who do not uphold their sacred responsibility in saying, "Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 25:30). Obviously, the Lord would not require anyone to stay in a marriage where, due to the neglect or laziness of a spouse, the family is not being provided for.

3. Criminal activity

If your spouse is involved in criminal activity such as robbery, drug trafficking or extortion, the Lord doesn't require you to remain miserable in your marriage. However, if the criminal activity comes to a halt and sincere repentance occurs, including complete abandonment of sin, it is up to you and your spouse to decide how to move forward.

4. Addiction

You and your children have no obligation to stick with your spouse if they are addicted to drugs, alcohol, pornography, sex or anything causing harm to the family - especially if they are unwilling to seek help or rehabilitation.

Titus 2:11-12 says, "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world." The Lord would never command a person to remain married to a spouse who brings emotional, financial and physical difficulties because of worldy vices.

5. Adultery

The Lord was emphatic, "Thou shalt not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14). Adultery is so grave in the eyes of God, adulterers were often put to death as punishment in the Old Testament.

What spouse could enjoy living with someone who is exchanging the love of their family and salvation for worldly pleasures?

In some cases, sincere and complete repentance, including cutting all ties with any lovers other than their spouse can be an alternative option to divorce. Everything depends on the spouse's commitment to change, and the victim's ability to forgive and heal.

Extreme Cases

It is imperative to never lose sight that God hates divorce. A marriage joined through God, should not be seperated if possible. But, in some dire circumstances, divorce is necessary.

Unfortunately, not everyone lives up to God's standards regarding marriage, and their family suffers for their selfishness. Thanks to the goodness and mercy of God, you have no obligation to remain beside someone who does not respect you.

This is a translation and adaptation of the original article, "5 razões pelas quais um divórcio é justificado perante Deus," published on familia.com.br.

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