Day 507 ~ Forgive & Be Forgiven (XX)

Day 20 of the Husband Encouragement Challenge
courtesy of ReviveOurHearts.com

"And be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32) 

• You can't say anything negative about your husband . . . to your husband . . . or to anyone else, about your husband.
• Say something that you admire or appreciate about your husband . . . to your husband . . . and to someone else, about your husband!

It's time for some heart examination. As you continue in this 30-day challenge, have you found any roots of bitterness that are contaminating your relationship with your husband? Do you understand that as long as you are unwilling to forgive your husband—by God's grace and in His power —you will not be able to encourage him? Your own resentment will keep getting in the way. Now is the time to deal with any unforgiving attitudes. Forgive him, even as God has forgiven you.

Is your husband a forgiving man? Does he keep short accounts of your problems? Express your thankfulness for such a man.

Does your husband seem to harbor grudges against you? If so, could there be things you need to change? Do you possibly need to ask forgiveness for an offense?  

Day 20 ! . . .    

I'm going to keep this simple and not let it get too wordy.  

When it comes to forgiveness in my home, it must always be preempted by a cooling down period.

I have learned that when I get upset and go off the charts... it's like gravity... whatever goes up must come down.  Or as in our case, whatever temper heats up, it must cool down.

I have also learned that staying mad at your spouse, or anyone for that matter, does not help you.  All those ugly negative feelings are only good for bringing you down and darkening your heart.

When one first meets their "true" love we are so forgiving.  It all falls under the honeymoon stage.  

Have a few years go by, commit the same offense and then see how far that gets you!  Chuckle, chuckle.

Seriously, it's not that cute anymore.

However, if we keep the honeymoon going on year after year, forgiveness will come by easy.

What keeps me grounded lately is knowing that if I forgive, then I too will be forgiven by Him.

I believe that is enough to motivate me to forgive my hubby... wouldn't you agree?  wink, wink.

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

I am second..

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

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