The Corona Survival Guide for CouplesSample

Strong couples rely on community

I deeply miss my friends.

The coronavirus has blessed me with more time than ever with my bride and my daughters (which I adore), but it has left me with less time than ever with my friends (which I abhor). A year ago, my wife and I made a commitment to have dinner with three other couples whose faith and marriages we admire. During those monthly meals, we share lots of laughter (most of it appropriate :) and ask lots of honest questions.

How is your marriage doing? Are you choosing “You First”? How about the issue you brought up last month?

As painful as it can be to admit the truth about the current state of my humility, I treasure those questions. They allow my friends/fellow believers to encourage me, pray for me, and lead me to the cross of my Savior, who died for sinful spouses too. I have experienced the truth of James’ words: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (James 5:16).

Have you experienced that healing too?

If not, reach out to community. Find a couple whom you know and love, one who knows and loves you back. Ask them if you can be honest about the ups and downs of your relationship. Trust me, they will understand. As perfect as they might seem, every couple struggles, even in the church (it’s a hospital for sinners, after all). Be real with them, and ask for their prayers and their advice.

God would love to help you and heal you. According to James, he will most likely do it through them. Not through some Holy Spirit fire descending from heaven, but through the loving response of those who’ve heard your confession of sins.

The enemy would love for that not to happen. He hates spiritual healing. He despises couples who put each other first because they know the Jesus who put them first on the cross. He would adore it if you would just finish this reading plan, check that final box, and keep doing life alone.

So let’s frustrate the devil today and live in community. The Christian faith is not about impressing others with our strength but about relying on others in our weakness.

Because those “others” know exactly where to lead us. Back to Jesus. Back to the cross. Back to the love that never fails.

I pray that this encouragement, and all the ones that came before it, allow you and your family to survive the coronavirus. In fact, I am praying today that you do more than survive.

I pray that you thrive. In Jesus’ name.

Want more on this topic? Try this Christ > Corona Plan!