Have you made a decision that hurt your husband? Has he done something that hurt you? Forgiveness in marriage is key.
Marriage puts people in close quarters. The closer you get to your spouse, the more likely you are to step on each other’s toes. But that doesn’t have to destroy your marriage.
In fact, your marriage can be even better than it was before. But you have to do one thing first. You have to forgive your spouse (Ephesians 4:32).
To learn more about forgiveness in marriage, keep reading.
DISCLOSURE – This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through one of the links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure here.
The Marriage Fitness Program
Today I’m sharing a guest post by Mort Fertel, the author of Marriage Fitness. His resources helped me through a marital rough spot. I am now an affiliate for his marriage renewal system.
Fertel’s alternative to counseling is helpful if your marriage is stuck or faltering. His book is a small investment for the value it provides. And his FREE articles offer fresh insights into the marriage relationship.
Is forgiveness in marriage important to you? Consider the following advice from a world authority on the psychology of relationships. I appreciate his willingness to share it with us.
Enjoy the post!
Choosing Forgiveness in Marriage
NOTE – The following content is an adaption of “How to Forgive and Be Forgiven” by marriage coach Mort Fertel.
Hi. I’m Mort Fertel, author of Marriage Fitness. Except in the case of physical abuse, you can move on from anything. In fact, your marriage can end up even better!
I know. You’re probably thinking, “Better? How could it be better than before we screwed up?” It CAN be better, but you have to do one thing first. You have to forgive. But what does it mean to forgive?
Many people say “I forgive you” but continue to harbor anger in their hearts. Some people say the words, but it’s obvious from their actions that things are still different.
Others say “I forgive you” but what they really mean is, “I don’t want to talk about this. I can’t deal with this. I’m turning you off.”
And so the three magic words come out and form a wall that shuts out their spouse. True, they’re not angry. But that’s because they’ve shut down all emotion and refuse to reconnect.
What is True Forgiveness?
Saying “I forgive you” is a different ball game than truly forgiving someone. Look carefully at the word forgive. It tells you what it means.
For-Give. In other words, to GIVE as you did beFORe.
When you give of yourself like you did before you were hurt, then you know you’ve forgiven.
When you stand as close to your spouse as you stood the day your toes got stepped on – that’s forgiveness.
It’s not easy to do, but it IS possible. You can forgive each other and move on. And once you forgive, you’ll see that your marriage will be better than it was before.
In a strange way, you’ll be happy that the mistake was made. Why? because you’ll realize that you would never have achieved the love you finally did without that mistake as your catalyst.
7 Secrets to a Stronger Marriage
Did you know that when a broken bone heals, it’s stronger than it was before it was broken? You too can be stronger than before things broke down between you and your spouse.
Did you ever make love after a big fight? Ever think after you made up, “Hey, this is great? We should fight more often”?! Sometimes the highest highs follow the lowest lows.
But you have to know how to reconcile. You have to know how to get to a place of sincere forgiveness.
If you want to achieve that – and learn how to renew your marriage – subscribe to my free breakthrough report “7 Secrets to a Stronger Marriage.” Click here to subscribe and get a FREE marriage assessment, too.
Warm regards,
Mort Fertel
Author of Marriage Fitness
More From Mort Fertel
If you enjoyed this guest post by Mort Fertel, you might like these posts:
- Character in Marriage: What Happened to the Man You Married?
- Connection in Marriage: How to Get Your Husband to Hear You
- One Decision That Will Change Your Marriage for Better
Now It’s Your Turn
Thank you for reading this post. Now it’s YOUR turn to chime in. Have you asked your husband to forgive you for the hurt you caused him? Have you forgiven him for hurting you?
Let’s fill the comments with friendly conversation. Scroll down to leave a reply, ask a question, or just say hello. And if you liked this post, please give it a share.
Blessings, Annette
NOTE – You are reading “Forgiveness in Marriage: How to Forgive and Be Forgiven.” A version of this post appeared on Blogger in February 2015. I have updated it for the Savoring Home community.
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