Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, NKJV
The Bible is full of examples of good partnerships. I like the one above, but one I maybe like even better than this is in Matthew 18:20: "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” And then there is the one in Matthew 18:19, "... if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven."
There is a custom among many church leaders that leaders should have an accountability partner--an excellent idea! And most pastors insist on having their spouses somewhere around when counseling--especially when counseling someone of the opposite sex. Even well-intentioned hugs or empathy from even the most sincere Christian can lead to things a person never intended. Have you ever noticed that something happens to you physically when you hug someone?
God knows that we are human, subject to emotions and failings and fallings. We seldom fall if someone is nearby to catch us when that unbalance occurs.
Accountability partners HAVE to be someone who can be brutally honest and who can also accept your brutal honesty. Someone who will pray with you and for you. Someone who will help you up when you fall into the mud and who accepts that sometimes you will pull them out of a situation they shouldn't be in. Someone who will offer grace when you don't deserve it. It's not easy being an accountability partner, but the rewards make it worth the pain.
You might want to begin earnestly searching for an accountability partner. It should preferably be someone of the same sex as you, someone very strong in their love of God, and, of course, someone you trust implicitly.
Lord, we ask Your guidance to us to find that person who You intend to help us up when we fall. In Jesus's name, amen.
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