Spiritual Mismatch: Hope for Christians Married to Someone Who Doesn’t Know God

How do you navigate a marriage when differences of faith threaten to tear you apart?

Lee Strobel was the legal editor for the Chicago Tribune, a Yale graduate, and an atheist when his wife, Leslie, became a Christian early in their marriage. She began going to church; she found new friends; she became a different person. But Lee didn’t believe in any of it. Both Lee and Leslie felt they were losing each other.

"Ironically, it was faith in Jesus Christ—which most couples credit for contributing to the strength of their marriage—that very nearly destroyed our relationship and split us apart forever," writes Lee.

In this personal and practical book, Lee and Leslie share the lessons they’ve learned on their journey, including:

• Surprising insights into the thoughts of non-Christian spouses • Eight principles for reaching out to your partner with the gospel • Advice for raising your children in a spiritually mismatched home • How to pray for your spouse, with a 30-day guide to get you started • Helpful tips on what to do if you’re both Christians but one lags behind spiritually • Advice for single Christians about marriage • Twelve steps to making the most of your marriage

Despite all the emotional clashes they experienced, God answered Leslie’s prayers in miraculous ways. He gave her peace when she was feeling worried, gave her friends to walk with her, and gave her his Holy Spirit to comfort and guide her. Over time, she learned to live out her faith and be an example of Christ’s love to Lee. Today, they’re both Christians and Lee’s conversion story is now a major motion picture, The Case for Christ.

© 2021 Zondervan (Audiobook): 9780310363835

Release date

Audiobook: 26 January 2021