Accountability: Two are Better Than One

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Have you ever had an accountability partner?  I recently contacted another author about being my writing accountability partner.  We have a private Facebook group where we post our writing goals each week.  This does two things:  first it forces me to write out my goals and secondly it provides motivation as I know I will have to ‘fess up to her if I fail to accomplish the goals I have set.  This accountability relationship has helped me accomplish more in my writing – what God has laid on my heart to share with others.  Therefore, it has been well worth it!

Two Are Better Than One

 The Bible says it this way, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up…Though one may be overpowered,  two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”  (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)  This scripture is often used to describe a marriage relationship.  However, I also believe it can be applied to an accountability partner.  For example, if I fail to meet my goals, I know that my accountability partner will encourage me, help me get back on track and pray for me.

Isolation:  One Tactic From the Enemy

As Christians, I believe we are vulnerable to our enemy, Satan, when we are isolated from each other.  There is power in meeting together and praying together.  I found this to be true in the year 2000 when I was struggling with a secret sin.  The longer this sin was a secret and I was dealing with it alone, the more power it seemed to hold over me.  The shame I felt over this sin also fed my secrecy.   It was a vicious cycle in which I got caught.

You see, as a Christian married woman, I struggled with pornography.  I could not believe it and yet I could not stop.  “Wasn’t this just a guy’s problem?” I thought to myself.  I felt that I was the only woman to ever struggle with this particular sin.

My Breaking Point

And yet I reached a breaking point where I was desperate to change.  One part of my healing process was meeting each week with an accountability and prayer partner.  I know that God provided this accountability partner for me as she was someone I could trust to not share the details of my life with others, show me grace and yet also ask me the hard questions.  I firmly believe that some of her prayers got me through that dark season of my life.

How About You?

Could you benefit from accountability in an area of your life?  If so, I encourage you to pray about it and ask God to provide an accountability partner for you.   And then take the step to approach that person and ask them to start meeting with you to share honestly with each and pray together.  There is power in meeting together as believers in Christ!

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”  Matthew 18:20

Shelley Hitz has been ministering alongside her husband, CJ, since 1998. They currently travel and speak to teens and adults around the country. Shelley’s main passion is to share God’s truth and the freedom in Christ she has found with others. She does this through her books, websites and speaking engagements.  Shelley’s openness and vulnerability, as she shares her own story of hope and healing, will inspire and encourage you.

Shelley has been writing and publishing books since 2008 including the book she co-authored with S’ambrosia Curtis, “A Christian Woman’s Guide to Breaking Free From Pornography:  It’s Not Just a Guy’s Problem.”  During their book launch on 9/26/12 – 9/27/12, you can download a free Kindle copy and also enter to win over $400 worth of resources.  Find out more at www.ChristianWomenandPorn.com

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1 Comment

  1. Intriguing and vulnerable topic, Shelley. Thanks for being so open.

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