Part Two of Four: The Trunk

All truth is parallel. For every natural truth there is an equal and corresponding spiritual truth. In our present series, we are looking at the tree as a metaphor for a relationship and/or marriage.

The last time, we read about the roots of the tree in terms of its stability. Some key words from part one for review are temperament, strengths/weaknesses, growth, change, stability, and of course, rooted in Jesus Christ.

This time we’ll look at the trunk, which I call resolve. In a relationship or marriage the trunk of resolve grows from the roots of our spiritual strengths and weaknesses and our ability to change and transform ourselves into the image of Christ [1]. Being rooted in Jesus Christ gives the tree of relationship stability, which is the threefold cord of Ecclesiastes 4:12.

However, the roots of stability are not any good unless the trunk of resolve (the couple who are rooted in Christ) is committed and determined to settle and maintain an active resolution of a contentious dispute or disagreement. They must decide that the relationship is more important than the dispute, because once the resolve breaks down and not restored, the relationship/marriage is doomed, baring a miracle from God, which is always possible.

v31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander as well as all types of evil behavior.
v32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. [Ephesians 4:31, 32 NLT]

Resolve is a process and is something on which a couple needs constantly to work. This process does not happen over night [2]. (Trust me on that one.) The couple needs to be aware of their issues (different for different couples) and they need to arrest the issue(s) before AND/OR after the infraction. Therefore, resolution requires choice, a choice for compromise and more times than not. . .repentance and forgiveness.

This is really a condensed narrative on this series so I hope I have presented it in a clear enough fashion to help those in need of the tree’s solution.

So far, we have looked at stability (balance and rooted in Christ) and resolve, two of the main ingredients in a relationship. Next time we will look at the limbs of the tree.
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[1] 2 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 8:29; Romans 12:2
[2] John 13:34; Romans 12:10; Romans 15:5; Hebrews 12:14; 2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Corinthians 13:6; Hebrews 12:15; Psalms 133:1