Forgive Your Spouse

by Bill Krause

The original plan when we met that wonderful person that we came to love so much was to live happily ever after. Too often, over time, tension mounts between the spouses. Left untended, which is usually the case, bitterness and unforgiveness creep in. The division between the spouses becomes wider and wider until we no longer know who each other is.

This is dangerous ground and leads us down a path that is all too familiar to the majority of people.

The truth is, if we look at the whole picture, there are many good things about our spouse that we greatly appreciate. If we can get past our unforgiveness we can open back up our life of marital bliss.

Forgiveness is the key to success with our spouse. We have all faltered and fallen short of our intended perfection.

A great way to open up the forgiveness of our spouse is to make a long list of their wonderful ways. Get a pen and paper or open up your computer to begin listing the good points your spouse has. If you are having trouble starting because of your unforgiveness, look through old cards, photographs, listen to your favorite meaningful song. Look back and think on the good times and helpful things that they have done with you and for you.

Now that you have the list, take some time to think on the list. Think on these things that are true, noble, lovely and of good report. This will soften your heart and allow you to see that the positive outweighs the negative.

Now that you have looked at the whole picture you can step out by faith and forgive. Just saying the words “I forgive you” and meaning them will take a load off of you.

You may have to say it several times before you feel the fullness of it but it will work. Now that you have forgiven, take off any restrictions you have put in place and begin the loving. Love covers a multitude of sin and allows our self to see the best in others.

Now that you have forgiven your spouse and have opened the love faucet take your spouse and embrace them. Yes, physically is fine but embrace them in your heart and allow them full access into your life. Hold nothing back. Jump in where angels fear to tread.

Keep short accounts and work daily to walk in forgiveness with your spouse. Don’t let strife come in and ruin a great work.

You have to make yourself bigger than God not to forgive. God said He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all our unrighteousness. Are you greater than God? Can you refuse to do what God is willing to do?

Keep in mind that all of us do better in life when we walk in forgiveness. We want the best life we can have and that will require a lifestyle of forgiveness.