Have you ever wondered whether staying in your marriage is what God truly requires of you — or whether that belief is actually a lie keeping you trapped?In this powerful episode, Leslie sits down with Charlene Quint, family law attorney, domestic abuse survivor, TEDx speaker, and founder of Abuse Care. Charlene brings a rare combination of courtroom experience, personal healing, and deep biblical grounding to one of the most urgent conversations women in destructive relationships need to hear. You will walk away with practical tools for leaving safely, a clearer understanding of what Scripture actually says about divorce, and the courage-building truth that God goes with his daughters into their promised land.Key TakeawaysYou Are Not Naive — These Men Are Skilled ActorsCharlene opens with her own story: a CFO who did not see the signs during the love-bombing phase, who was coerced into signing a 28-page prenuptial agreement the day before her wedding, and who eventually left with nothing but a change of clothes in the trunk of her car. Her story is a profound reminder that education, intelligence, and faith do not protect a woman from a calculated abuser. The shame of asking "how did I miss this?" is one of the first lies that must be named and released. Naming It Correctly Changes EverythingJust as a doctor who misdiagnoses bronchitis when the patient has lung cancer will prescribe medicine that cannot heal, a counselor or pastor who frames abuse as normal marital conflict will offer tools that cannot help. Charlene and Leslie make clear that naming a behavior as gaslighting, coercive control, or abuse is not an act of bitterness — it is an act of clarity that finally gives a woman permission to seek the right remedy. Traditional marriage counseling applied to an abusive relationship is, as Charlene puts it, like taking aspirin and expecting it to cure cancer. What the Bible Actually Says About DivorceOne of the most important sections of this conversation walks through Deuteronomy, Malachi, and Matthew with careful, honest biblical scholarship. The long-repeated phrase "God hates divorce" is a mistranslation of Malachi 2, where God was actually condemning men who sent wives away without a certificate of divorce — abandoning women with no legal protection and no ability to remarry. Moses granted the certificate of divorce as a protection for women in a patriarchal culture. Jesus upheld that provision. God's heart, throughout all of Scripture, is consistently with the oppressed and against those who use power to violate others. What Abusers Will Do During the Divorce — Without ExceptionCharlene is direct: there is a predictable playbook, and every woman deserves to know it before she is blindsided. He will play the victim. He will pursue parental alienation and social alienation. He will lie about finances. He will drag out litigation. He will volunteer visibly at church to build his reputation. Practical wisdom here includes gathering financial records before leaving, getting an order of protection if applicable, making divorce documents extremely specific about dates and terms, and — critically — keeping a poker face about what matters most to you. The moment he knows what you love, he will use it as leverage. Healing Begins with Truth and Safe CommunityCharlene calls it the three Rs: Recognize the lies you have believed, Remove them, and Replace them with God's truth. Lies like "no one else will love me" or "if I just pray harder he will change" are the internal chains that keep women in destructive relationships long after the external danger is recognized. Surrounding yourself with safe, informed people — and not walking this road alone — is not optional. It is the path. And for church leaders who want to help, Charlene offers her BEARS framework: Believe her, Educate yourself, hold Abusers Accountable, Refer her to professionals, and Support her practically with housing, finances, court accomp