Forgiving Your Spouse
Forgiving Your Spouse
[Love] does not keep a record of wrongs. (1 Cor. 13:5)
The Importance of Letting Go
To be human is to blow it. We all sin, and we all need forgiveness from God and from one another. If you are married, you are going to have many occasions to seek forgiveness from your wife and to grant it as well. She might say some sharp words just based on exhaustion or hormones. You might do something inconsiderate or stupid, and it is critical to say those vital words, “I am sorry. Will you please forgive me?” You can’t hold on to the hurt. Let things go. Even on those occasions when you feel you are completely in the right and she is 100 percent wrong, let it go. Don’t compile a list of all the times she hurt you.
The Example of God
God forgave you, and He wants you to learn to do likewise. Having been forgiven everything, we are in no position to withhold forgiveness from our mate (or from anyone else).
One caveat here: this discussion of forgiveness presumes a certain degree of normalcy in your marriage. If there are grievous and ongoing sins, such as infidelity, substance abuse, or anything dangerous, you need professional help. Forgiveness does not mean ignoring patterns of out-of-bounds behavior. Forgiveness will still be needed in those situations, but reach out for intervention. And pray hard. You can’t love and forgive in your own strength.
Bottom Line
Jesus has already forgiven you of far more than He will ever call upon you to forgive in your spouse. Choose to forgive and ask for His help.