The Power of Forgiveness in Marriage: How To Forgive Your Spouse When You Don't Feel Like It

Show notes

About This Episode Forgiveness is the relief of tension in a relationship that has endured offense or conflict. Aaron and Jennifer compare holding onto an offense to stretching a band across your chest until your muscles ache, and letting go brings relief to the one who forgives. They work through the questions so many spouses wrestle with: why forgive when I feel they are wrong, how can I forgive if they have not repented, and what if they do it again? Looking at Matthew 6 and the parable Jesus told Peter in Matthew 18, they show that forgiveness goes against our natural defenses and can only be done in the power of the Holy Spirit, out of obedience to God's Word. They close by separating forgiveness from reconciliation and praying that couples would be quick to forgive and quick to reconcile.

About Aaron & Jennifer Smith Aaron and Jennifer Smith are the founders of Marriage After God and authors of Husband After God, Wife After God, and Marriage After God. Married since 2007 and raising six children in Bend, Oregon, they started Husband Revolution and Unveiled Wife to share what God was teaching them, not from a place of having it figured out, but as fellow travelers pointing couples back to Jesus.

In This Episode The band analogy — why holding onto an offense hurts the one who holds it Hard questions — forgiving when you feel they are wrong, when they have not repented, or when it happens again Why Jesus commands forgiveness — Matthew 6:12-15 and why forgiveness is not a natural response Seventy times seven — Peter's question in Matthew 18 and the 490 connection to Daniel's 70-week prophecy Forgiveness vs. reconciliation — forgiveness takes one, reconciliation takes two Trusting God with the other person — forgiving even when reconciliation is not possible Weekly challenge — go on a fun date night together, even when it's cold outside

Scripture Referenced Matthew 6:12-15; Matthew 18:21-35; Matthew 26:28; Ephesians 1:7; Daniel 9

Resources from This Episode This week's episode is brought to you by our 30-day marriage devotionals. Husband and wife after god. These devotionals were written to help you grow closer to your spouse and closer to God. We invite you to join the thousands of other marriages that have already taken the journey toward a deeper and more purposeful marriage. Also, with the holidays coming up, these devotionals will make a powerful and meaningful gift for the other married couples in your life. Get them today at shop.marriageaftergod.com or amazon.com Check out our marriage resources! Sponsors: Get our new book The Marriage Gift - 365 prayers for your marriage! Full show notes and blog post

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