Forgiveness is hard. Yet, forgiveness is powerful. As a matter of fact, it is the best medicine for a marriage.
Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another,
if anyone has a complaint against another; even
as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
Colossians 3:13
- Jesus forgave us. How can we not grant the same forgiveness to others? The Bible tells us that we have all sinned and fallen short. Not a single one of us is without sin, yet when we come to Jesus, He freely forgives us. When your husband wrongs you, use Jesus as the example and freely forgive.
- Forgiveness does not mean you are letting your husband 'off the hook.' Sometimes your husband will do wrong and you need to just let it go. Other times something big has been done or said and it needs to be worked through or maybe a trust needs to be rebuilt; pick your battles wisely. Even if the wrong was big and needs some work, you can still forgive.
- Forgiveness is for you. Most times forgiveness is more for the forgiver than the offender. You find a beautiful freedom when you forgive your husband of his wrongs.
- Forgiveness doesn't mean you become a door mat. If the offense keeps happening over and over, there is something underlying that must be worked through.
- Forgiveness is allowing God to be the one to take care of the justice. We are not called to get revenge or give punishment. We are called to forgive. You do your job, let God do His.
- Forgive whether your husband seeks your forgiveness or not. It doesn't matter if you never hear an apology. You forgive anyway. Period.
- Forgiveness must come every time. Every time your husband does or says something wrong, forgive.
Do you struggle with forgiving your husband? Maybe it's something he did this morning, or maybe it's something that happened years ago. It's time to forgive him. It's time to let God do the work in him and in you when you choose forgiveness.
I do sometimes struggle with forgiving my husband. He never says he's sorry, so even though I know I should forgive, it's hard sometimes. I like that you said forgiving him doesn't mean I have to be a doormat. I think that will help me a lot. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI totally understand how hard it is when our husband, or anyone who has wronged us, doesn't seek forgiveness. Forgiveness is just as much for us, maybe even more so, as it is for them. Thank you for stopping in. God bless, Brenda!
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