Well here at Focus on the Family, we believe in the significance of

spiritually walking together as a couple, but what if your mate isn't growing like

you are what if you're pursuing God but your mate isn't I'm John Fuller joined by

my focus colleagues Aaron and Greg Smalley and Aaron you've counseled a lot of couples I'm sure this has

been an issue where a spouse is longing for their mate to to join them in this

walk with God but it's not happening how do you counsel them? Yeah that can be really frustrating

and the spouse might feel alone in their spiritual journey but it's recognizing there's two individuals in this marriage, and they're each

going to have their own pathway towards God.

And there's going to be seasons that they're super connected if they're a believer, and there's going to be seasons that they're super connected if they're a believer and there's going to be

seasons that they might not be and so it's leaving room for both individuals

however what I always say is we have so much influence and so as you're growing and you're excited

and you're feeling connected to God gosh share that if they're not open to

hearing about it talk talk about that.

Tell me what it's like for you when I come home super excited

about my faith and about my connection with God

and what I'm learning and how could I share that with you or what are you willing to do so be curious

instead of critical and really just try to understand why is my spouse where they're at

what's happening and just really you know seek to understand

that's great advice and that leads right into what we're gonna hear now from

focus president Jim Daly and his guest Matt and Lisa Jacobson. They talked about why it's your job

actually to focus on your walk with God and not to control your spouses.

Well here's a great example of that in my opinion you have it in the two books the companion books but on your side

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