As we near our country’s Memorial Day celebration, I am reminded of a phrase that epitomizes the profound sense of loyalty we see among those who serve in the armed forces. The phrase, “I have your back,” we believe, derives from the military.

The best theory about the origin of this phrase is that it comes from the Army, where soldiers would storm a building or secure location knowing there could be enemy inside. The soldier first through the door needed to be sure he wouldn’t be attacked from behind. The phrase, “Watch my back,” said to his buddies, and the subsequent response, “I’ve got your back,” assured the soldier he would not be attacked from his most vulnerable position — behind him.

Air Force pilots express the same sentiment, adopting clock positions to communicate their vulnerability. The phrase “I’ve got your six” means a pilot can be assured someone is watching to protect him from a rear attack.

In my counseling of couples over the years, I find that there is a sense of loyalty, commitment and dedication in healthy, solid, loving relationships that I often do not find in unhealthy or troubled relationships.

And perhaps one of the best ways I can describe that sense of loyalty is to say that they each “have each other’s back.”

In other words, spouses can move forward with their mission in life, take on whatever cards they are dealt, and do so with absolute confidence that they have someone fighting on their behalf to minimize any vulnerability. No matter what comes.

Cancer? Got your back. Financial difficulties? Depression? Got your back. Move forward. You’re covered. I will keep this from taking you down. And I do that not only because I love you, but because I am dedicated to you, committed to you. Your trial is my trial. So, stay on task, because I’ve got your “six”.

I have my wife’s back. I know she has mine. And there is a profound freedom to live that comes with that, a peace that I can only theorize is God-sent.

Who’s got your back? Whose back do you have? Have you ever told him or her that? Why not today?

For Christians, of course, the ultimate “Back-Haver” is God. He may not prevent my trials, but he minimizes my vulnerability in battles, drags me to safety, and attends my wounds so I might live to fight another day. And one way he does that is through a person named Sue.

Whose back is God relying on you to “have”? If you pray and ask Him, I guarantee He will soon show you.