Let’s start with the old cliche “two’s company and three’s a crowd” – we have all heard this before. And…you may agree that three is a crowd, especially in the romantic setting, but the Bible is clear: a cord of three strands is not easily broken.
In many aspects of our lives, three is better than one or two. We have an example in the Bible with the Trinity: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Three gives a broader perspective; there is a greater understanding of fellowship and community when you have a Father, a son, and a comforter. It’s relational, knowing that each person brings another dimension to the relationship.
So when the third person in the romantic relationship is God, then it’s a cord of three strands that is not easily broken. It is strong and beautiful, rather than a crowd where you want to eliminate one. Let’s take a look at the actual Bible verse that says, “a cord of three strands is not easily broken.”
“though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
Ecclesiastes 4:12
Strength In Numbers
This definitely speaks to me about the fact that there is strength in numbers. If you’re in a fight or a battle, I know I would want to have back-up! Wouldn’t you?
If you need to be accountable for school work, for a project, for business or for getting something accomplished, three is like the magic number. People in accountability circles like to say “three is key.”
Three creative minds flowing have more imagination than one. If someone in the circle needs extra encouragement, two encouraging words are more uplifting than one. When someone in the circle needs help being carried, two extra bodies are stronger than one. If someone is fighting for their life, having two extra backup people to call on will most likely save that person’s life.
Often when we speak about a cord of three strands is not easily broken, we think about a braid intertwined, or a rope used to anchor a boat that holds it stronger in the wind and the waves, but it’s a creative image in our minds that tells us the cord of three is stronger than a cord of only two.
This Bible verse is mostly spoken in the context of a bride and a groom, with the third cord referring to Christ. This is a wonderful example of how a marriage ought to be, and in this partnership, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken. The married couple may have struggles because God says, “in this world you will have trouble,” but they will have a much stronger likelihood to remain in a loving relationship when God is the third piece of the cord.
So how is this verse pertinent to weight loss?
In the Weigh Down Lifestyle, we often recite this line “a cord of three strands is not easily broken.” We love to encourage each other knowing that we, the community, are fighting for the other person, cheering them on to victory.
Christian Weight Loss: Transformation From The Inside Out
Each woman is a beautiful person who needs to be a part of a cord of three in order to maintain the journey of weight loss. It’s not easy to do it alone. The woman is one cord, the Weigh Down Lifestyle community is another cord, and Christ is the main cord; together this cord of three is not easily broken.
We as a cord of three are not a crowd, but a supportive accountability circle that is strong. Our community holds together through the wind and the waves like the anchored boat, and our lives intertwine as we gather to support and encourage one another and lift each other up. We share our wins and our struggles, and together we are strong. We don’t quit, because the cord is tightly woven. When the going gets tough, the cord gets stronger.
When the struggle feels long, we bind together in prayer. If and when troubles come our way, we encourage one another and inspire each other to move forward, to get up and keep going. When the winds and the storms knock us down, the rest of the cord can nurture and motivate that person to get moving again, one baby step at a time.
When we have a win, we celebrate together and cheer each other on. A cord of three strands is not easily broken; in fact, in the Weigh Down Lifestyle, it’s just the opposite. It gets stronger as the journey continues. The relationships grow and become stronger; the support is deeper, the encouragement is more uplifting, and the long road becomes a path that is now a doable lifestyle that women want to keep following.
Check out our blog post on Non-Scale Victories here!
It’s a bond that does not want to be severed. When God is the center part of the cord, who can break it? We are bound together and women together like a cord of three strands that is not easily broken.
I love the truth about God’s word.
“The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword…”
Hebrew 4:12
“A cord of three strands is not easily broken” is such a comfort and an overwhelming peace of mind that we know is true. It’s like having the faith of a child; we know God said it… and so we BELIEVE it! Do you?
Blessings,
Ruth Verbree
I absolutely love this illustration. I believe that God is going to do great things in my life in this area. I believe He wants to use my example to encourage others in this area of weight loss. There are sooo many women that I know who struggle with their weight and body in general. I just want to come alongside them and help. I am truly looking forward to meeting with you and discovering all God has for me through you! Thanks!