If someone were to have told me, (before the triple-devastating events of December 2018 took place), that one day my husband and I would be trading spiritual perspectives, I would have bet money against it . . . today I know, I would have lost.
It reminds me of Peter emphatically saying to Jesus, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will . . . Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” (Matthew 26:31-35)
And yet, the rooster crowed as predicted. Peter, along with all the other disciples, did exactly what they claimed could never happen.
WARNING: Be careful with the word, “Never.” I used to think like Peter—with absolute certainty. It took more intense testing than I could have anticipated, but I learned the humbling lesson of “all fall short.” EVERYONE, even with the best of intentions and devotion to God, is susceptible to spiritual stumbling.
I did not have a rooster renouncing God moment in my difficult circumstances, but I sure did take an unexpected 180 degree turn with my attitude and perspective—something I once thought could NEVER happen.
In order to appreciate the “Freaky Friday” switcheroo that took place in August of 2019, you need to know a little background about my husband and I:
Sarah – teacher, favors reading & writing, Holy Spirit led, everything happens for a reason, joy in all circumstances
Steven – engineer, favors math & science, fact and data led, coincidences can exist, probability is usually the reason things happen.
We are both Christians living by faith, but the way in which we process and interpret experiences can differ. So when our cumulative painful circumstances hit (what we thought was) rock bottom, I had no idea how God could possibly flip this awful mess.
I had reached a depth so deep of trial and disappointment, that I could no longer see the spiritual work around me. I sought concrete facts and examples to prove that the Lord was helping us. When I did not find that physical evidence, my hope weakened.
And then my jaw dropped at what I heard my husband say. Steven relayed a plan of how our family was going to pull through this season, and that he fully believed God had showed it to him. Although he could not prove it, he was convinced.
It started with Steven pouring back into me, using the same words that I had spoken to him through seemingly hopeless situations. He explained that I taught him in advance, not just for his current state at the time, but more importantly, so that when I needed it the most, he would be prepared with words to rescue me.
While in his weakest and most vulnerable physical condition, my husband became the strongest I had ever seen him spiritually.
Both of our contrasting spiritual perspectives were now blending together. I had a better understanding of how hard it can sometimes be to see God’s work through the pain. And he now had a better understanding of a feeling of peace and trust in the face of impossible evidence.
God allowed us to trade places, in order to understand each other and God in a different light. In this new plan that the Holy Spirit laid out to Steven, we would work together, as a team, a cord of 3.
“A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT)
Although our “Bucket of Suck” did not change, both of our perspectives did. We became more UNIFIED as a well-rounded team. Thank God. Because in the next several months that followed, life’s storms continued to roll in. However, we “Hibernated” as needed, began to heal, and we continue to lean on each other and God to get us through this difficult season.
Our spiritual antenna is positioned upward, ready to receive transmitted direction from God. And by faith, one day I will get to write to you not only about spiritual healing that we have experienced, but also testify about miraculous physical healing for my husband as well.