Most women in above situation would probably just go back to their parents, unless their parents said dont come crying to me if it doesnt work out.
Except there is a verse saying what to do in such a situation. We are told to remain faithful in the relationship. I think the Lord is fully capable of moving the unbelieving spouse into getting a divorce and relieving the believing spouse of their commitment. Certainly a trial I wouldn't desire for sure though.
@The OP though...
I am pleased that someone mentioned that marriage is a covenant. That was my first thought when reading the OP. A covenant is an agreement. We promise to agree. Part of my personal agreement would be parameters for arbitration/mediation if or when the need arises. Certainly the Lord is our mediator though at times it is possible that we are either both in error or blind to how to communicate and he doesn't make it an "in house" situation.
There are so many times where mutually agreeable terms can be had and I think of marriage a bit legally I guess. Especially if a person is willing to lay down their "say" at the foot of the cross and trust the Lord to work it out in our hearts vs almost exalting our own will and timing (which
Suppose I am resolute in my flesh on a particular issue. Can I agree to table the issue for a time and agree on when/how it should be handled since obviously my deeper desire would be to be right before the Lord and with my wife? I see no reason not.
There may be times when mediation "should" be drawn out and for the other spouse to not "force the issue" because perhaps the other spouse has some heart issues that could be worked through privately that very night? Who knows.
What I do know is that any word/promise made should be honored and an agreed upon additional source of counsel be considered.
I liked what
@cinder said in the first few lines about "agreeing to disagree" basically. I don't like that phrase but sometimes it's "almost" just that. We agree to a compromise but it is still the willingness to "come to the table" and resolve things that is important. If the resolution isn't a mutually agreeable compromise, then readdressing it at a later date if and when it still remains a burden for the other seems like a wise course of action. Time does change things and we are all still maturing. The next day brings new insights to light and when the timing seems hypercritical, I've found immense relief from just taking a step back and having faith that the Lord understands my own sight and what I have to work with and if in sincerity a pivotal decision is delayed against his will, I believe he will make that clear...sometimes the timing may not be delayed and lest I fall into a rather long tangent on the conditional nature of Christian living regarding the details...Always defer to what is written and when it is unclear, I think the Lord has patience with us