I had a “date” with my best friend today. It was not unlike many that we have had in the past quarter century. It was not as picturesque as many of our times together — no outside table, palm trees, or gentle breeze stirring my wife’s aesthetic nature. However, it was one of those nights when we dealt with some of the hard issues we live with, day in, day out as a couple. One would think that after being married as long as we have the issues would be few and far between. The truth is that although we have reached a point of knowing that some battles are not worth fighting, others just seem to never get too far off the radar. Things I do make her crazy and things she does still get under my skin. Yet we both know, after our expressions of frustration, that God has joined us together for “the duration.” With that thought, I always wonder how much, or to what extent has the spiritual world tried to disrupt what God has joined together.

Obviously I have limited knowledge of the spiritual world. We are blessed to have the scriptures to give us some knowledge and understanding of what was happening there, which is considerable and informative. However, I have not died, had an out of body experience, and returned and therefore cannot give you firsthand experience. What I will say is that scriptures like Ephesians 6:11–12 make it very obvious that something of greater and more significant power is occurring invisibly while all we can see and hear are the visible and audible. It is that invisible force who stimulates our adrenalin flow and heightens our volatile emotions provoking dissention when peace is all either of us wants.

Even though a couple, like us, has spent many years together, it is easy to forget what it says in 1 Peter 3:7: “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” The dissention initiated by the spiritual world can inhibit our spirituality, peace, and success. By success, I mean your Kingdom rewards. As individuals you achieved your own spiritual successes or failures before God. However, once you became “one” you became joint heirs, not individual heirs. You must understand that you have no right to rob your partner of spiritual growth and development, just because you don’t like the way they do or say something. She is accumulating for you, and you are accumulating for her, your eternal position and rewards. Your job is to edify, build up, and enlarge her rewards while accepting hers. Recall Ecclesiastes 4:9: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work.” In the same way two receive their pay for their joint work, two also receive their rewards for their spiritual efforts.

Kids, pray for your partners. Give them the benefit of a doubt. Love them when they seem unlovable because Christ first loved you — and he ordered their path to you! Don’t let anything separate you. Find things to do together. Your individuality is important, but not so important that it disrupts the strength of a united ONE!

Love,

Dad