Average JoeSample

DAY 3: A Second Chance

Joe tried to keep in touch with Denise while he was deployed to the Middle East, but the mental and emotional turmoil of war made it difficult. When he found out that she had married someone else, he was devastated. Joe’s response was to marry Denise’s cousin, but the marriage wouldn’t survive. Joe felt lost and unsure about his future, and the scars of war—both literal and figurative—definitely took a toll on him.

After Denise fled her abusive marriage, she and Joe lost contact for a decade. They eventually reunited and rekindled their relationship, and they were thrilled to get married and begin a new life together. But Joe’s internal battle with self-worth, plus financial hardships and emotional burdens, brought a lot of challenges to the relationship. Finally, Joe decided to do something he’d never done before: ask for help. He gave his life to Christ, and the couple began to face their challenges with a fresh sense of hope and unity.

Reflection

• How can unresolved emotional wounds from the past affect current relationships?
• Why is it important for couples to rely on faith during times of struggle?
• How does surrendering to God change the way we approach personal andrelational difficulties?