Karissa,
It has been a long time since I have felt so compelled to really sit down and respond to a thread like I do this one. First of all, I want to welcome you to the board and tell you that you have come to the right place for support. Second of all, in passing, I would like to say, drop the Bible Study. You only need spend a couple of minutes on this board to see how toxic this religion is.
I was involved in a situation that is similar to yours, however, thankfully, mine was not as all-encompassing like yours. (Thank you, God). But it none-the-less devastated me as well, and I share your pain. I'm not just saying that. I REALLY do feel your pain.
Everything I am going to say to you comes from personal experience, so if it sounds harsh, please forgive me. But if there is one thing I have learned from my own situation is the importance to begin the grieving process immediately and to put it all behind you even sooner. Looking back will only prolong your pain and put your own life on hold for even longer because this man is not who he said he was, and is therefore not the person you are in love with. Karissa, you deserve a happy life with someone who will treat you the way you deserve to be treated and hold you in the esteem in which you are entitled. Allowing this guy to want to have his cake and eat it too is a slam against YOU and against your self-worth. Holding on to him for even one more second keeps you in the abyss he has created for you. Do you want that, Karissa? I understand that you miss the guy you fell in love with. But that guy is no longer "alive". And whether he is sincere in his professions of love or not, the fact of the matter is that he has put you LAST -- behind the wife, behind the "things" and behind the religion. Take a look at this man. His ACTIONS scream louder than his words! LISTEN to his ACTIONS. He can pay lip service all day long to how much he loves you - but if he really did love you, his ACTIONS would be congruent with his words. And they are not.
Sadly, Karissa, this relationship will NEVER work. The sooner you accept that and move on, the sooner you will meet someone who really does love you, and really will sacrifice everything for you, even if it meant they could only have you in their lives for one more day. YOU ARE WORTH IT. Do NOT ever forget it.
I'm so sorry you are going through this. My heart truly does bleed for you. (((((Karissa)))))
growedup