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

Written by Lee Strobel and Leslie Strobel

Narrated by Giovanni Cordiferro and Rebecca Rogers

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Release date: Jan 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9780310363835

Lee Strobel

Lee Strobel, former award-winning legal editor of the Chicago Tribune, is a New York Times bestselling author whose books have sold almost twenty million copies worldwide. Lee earned a journalism degree at the University of Missouri and received a Master of Studies in Law degree from Yale Law School. He was a journalist for fourteen years at the Chicago Tribune and other newspapers, winning Illinois’ top honors for investigative reporting (which he shared with a team he led) and public service journalism from United Press International. A former atheist, he served as a teaching pastor at three of America’s largest churches. Lee and his wife, Leslie, have been married for more than fifty years and live in Texas. Their daughter, Alison, and son, Kyle, are also authors. Website: www.leestrobel.com

Reviews for Spiritual Mismatch

[mjs4him · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I picked up Surviving a Spiritual Mismatch in Marriage, at the local Christian bookstore. I figured with Lee Strobel writing it, it would have to be well written with lots of information. Leslie, Lee's wife was a Christian for a couple of years before Lee. This book is written from that perspective. Lee tells all about how he felt when Leslie was trying to get him into church.

This book gives me hope. It is honest and upfront. It tells you that not all spiritual mismatches last only 2 years. Some spouses have been spiritually mismatched for 25+ years. Some have sadly seen the unsaved spouse pass before accepting Christ. However, this book gives advice on how to handle the many differences in ways that should not add more stress to an already stressful situation.

While most of the book is about being married to an unbeliever, there is a section for Christian couples who are out of sync. One spouse is more spiritually mature than the other, and the one that is not as mature seems to be not growing at all. They give many helpful tips on how to deal with this situation, as well.

I highlight in books. I mark things so I can find them easier. I have to tell you, a big part of this book is highlighted. It is wonderful. I have gotten so much out of this book, that I will be able to in turn help others through these situations. I would recommend this book for anyone in a spiritual mismatch or out of sync, spiritually, with their spouse.