GRACE Abounds for the SpouseSample

Training for a Triathlon

Have you ever wanted to be the ultimate athlete, perhaps the winner of a triathlon? At first, it sounds exciting, but it is a different story when the alarm clock screams at 4:30 AM for your first training run. Yet, if you want to make it to the finish line without summoning the paramedics, you must train. Training is not just about running; it is about resting, fueling your body, and preparing your mind. Caring for your wife as she navigates the challenges of her past is not a sprint, and to be her steady partner, you need to care for yourself, too.

Let us face it- you are no good to anyone if you are not taking care of yourself. God designed your body to need proper physical, emotional, and spiritual maintenance. Overlooking or failing to prioritize self-care is not heroic but hazardous. Think of it this way: even the most high-performance vehicles need oil changes and fuel, or they will break down on the side of the road.

What does self-care look like? Prioritizing things that bring health and energy to your body. Consider taking a few hours to fish, golf, hunt, visit the gym, or take a walk in the fresh air. Or perhaps it is catching up on sleep and doing things that bring you joy and help you relax, release stress, and recharge. These activities are not selfish but necessary to ensure you are present for your wife and marriage. Even the Creator had a built-in day of rest!

Do not neglect spiritual training when caring for yourself. 1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV) reminds us that "physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." Continue in your spiritual disciplines of prayer, scripture reading, and worship. Lean into Jesus, who says in Matthew 11:28 (NIV), "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." The synergy of emotional, physical, and spiritual training will equip you to be the husband God created you to be as part of your wife's healing journey.

The journey of healing may take longer than you would prefer. There may be days when progress feels like uphill slogging in the rain. But as Isaiah 40:31 reminds us, those who put their hope in the LORD will renew their strength. Caring for yourself makes the journey easier, just like training for a triathlon prepares you for that unexpected hike up the mountain. Suddenly, the path seems smoother, the pace gentler, and the views even sweeter.