Are you having difficulty forgiving your spouse?
When spouses argue, it’s easy to bring up the past and rehash a list of old grievances, even the petty ones! When conflict arises, one might use a past event as a free ticket to gain the upper hand.
It’s hard to forgive but it is an important step toward a lasting relationship. Thankfully, there are practical and biblical ways that can help you forgive your spouse more. Here are 3 tips to cultivate forgiveness in marriage:
Tip #1: Treat your spouse with respect
Since childhood, you may have learned that a respectful person values others and seeks to understand their feelings. This lesson also applies to marriage.
It is also imperative to value and understand the feelings of your partner – this is a way to avoid tension that leads to bitter conflict.
The Bible says that a husband must treat his wife with honor and respect (1 Peter 3:7). Likewise, a wife must also show respect for her husband (Ephesians 5:33).
Tip #2: Examine yourself honestly
In your marriage, are you asking these questions to yourself: ‘Am I prone to anger? Am I inclined towards bitterness? Am I just being oversensitive? Do I tend to make issues over minor matters?’
The Book of Proverbs in the Bible teaches us that a person who is prone to anger stirs up conflict and a hot-tempered commits many transgressions (Proverbs 29:22). It also teaches us that those who keep on harping on a matter or offense separate close friends – this may happen in marriage as well (Proverbs 17:9).
So, while honestly examining yourself, ask how you can be more patient with your spouse. Show your intense love above all things – as it is what believers are called to do (1 Peter 4:8).
Tip #3: Discuss the matter intentionally, pray for each other faithfully
When emotions have passed, you may want to ask your spouse to calmly discuss the matter and explain what offended you and why it made you feel that way. This way, both of you might share each other’s feelings while being realistic and reasonable.
After discussing the matter, if you really have hurt your spouse in any way, it is high time for you to apologize. Even if you do not agree with their views, you can still ask for forgiveness and avoid the same mistakes to show that your apology is indeed genuine (Colossians 3:13).
God understands that we are imperfect and we all stumble many times (James 3:2). That is the very reason why He wants us to continue forgiving each another and praying for one another.
Do you have prayer requests?
It is our joy to pray for you and your spouse. Call the CBN Asia Prayer Center at 8-737-0700 or send your prayer requests to our Facebook page.
Join us this Holy Week and rediscover the transforming power of forgiveness! Watch Tanikala presents Senior Moment, airing on April 6, Maundy Thursday, at 5 p.m. on GMA.
Merlyn Estrada says:
Good Evening, CBN ASIA family! Maari po ba akong mag request ng isang panalangin. Panalangin po para sa aking asawa na kasalukuyang nasa Taiwan. Mag li-limang taon na po sa July na di namin sya nakakapiling 😓 Last year po ( month of February), nag decide syang makipaghiwalay na sa akin. Halos gumuho po ang aking mundo sa hamong iyon, wala daw pong ibang mahalaga para sa kanya sa ngayon kundi ang mga anak namin. Hindi ko po alam ang aking gagawin, emotionally stressed mo ako ng mga panahong iyon. Walang araw na di ako umiiyak at nakakaramdam ng kalungkutan. Sa tuwing sasapit ang alas syete ng umaga, nakabantay na ako sa aking cellphone dahil ito ang oras na madalas nya akong tawagan araw araw bago sya pumasok sa trabaho. Ganon din sa alas 12 ng tanghali during breaktime at alas 6 ng hapon after shift. Sa isang iglap nagbago po ang lahat. Lumipas ang mga araw, linggo, mga buwan ay unti-unti kong sinanay ang sarili ko na wala na akong aasahang tawag pa mula sa ama ng aming tahanan. Nais ko pong samantalahin ang pagkakataon upang magpasalamat sa CBN ASIA at 700 Club Asia Facebook Page. Ito po ang isa sa pinaghugutan ko ng lakas ng loob, sa pamamagitan po ng mga araw-araw na panalangin na pinopost sa page. Araw-araw na pagbabasa/pakikinig sa Tanglaw Devotional App, unti-unti po akong nakaramdam ng kagaanan ng kalooban. Ibinaling ang oras/panahon sa pagdarasal, pagbabasa ng salita ng Diyos. Sa ngayon po ang kabahagi na kami ng isang Kristiyanong simbahan at mga gawain. Salamat po sa habag, kabutihan at pagmamahal ni Hesus 😇🤍 Hindi nya kami pinabayaan, kami ng mga anak ko. 🙏 Nais ko pong humiling ng panalangin para sa aming pamilya, samahan kami sa lahat ng hamon ng aming buhay at tingnan namin ito sa positibong paraan upang mas maging malalim pa kami sa aming paglilingkod at pananampalataya. Dalangin din po para sa kaligtasan ng ama ng aming tahanan, lagi po siyang pag-ingatan at iwaksi na ang bisyo(alak at sigarilyo) na maaring makasama sa kanyang kalusugan. Nawa ay makakilala din siya sa Panginoon at manumbalik ang pamilyang binuo namin sa tulong ng ating Panginoong Hesus.
Maraming Salamat po and more power! God Bless po
cbnasiaprayercenter says:
Hi Merlyn, salamat sa pagshare mo sa amin kung paano ginamit ng Panginoon ang ating ministy para iparamdam sayo ni God na hindi ka nag iisa at kasama mo siya sa laban ng buhay. Pinatunayan din ng Panginoon na anuman ang pinagdadaanan mo sa iyong asawa ay may magandang bagay pa rin na maari mangyari sa inyong buhay at yun ay ang makilala mo at ng mga anak mo si Jesus. Masaya kami na malaman na bahagi na kayo ng isang simbahang Kristiyano at naglilingkod sa Kanya. Dalangin namin na patuloy na si Lord ang magpatatag ng iyong faith sa Kanya at patuloy din natin na ipagdasal ang husband mo na makilala din Niya si Jesus sa buhay niya. We encourage you na patuloy na panghawakan ang pangako ni God sa Acts 16:31 Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Gusto pa po namin kayo na ipagdasal at makarinig ng patotoo tungkol sa ginawa ni Lord sa buhay ninyo, please email us anytime at [email protected]. God bless you more.