Don't Feel Like It
Are there times in your marriage when you just don't feel like forgiving your spouse?
Program: Real FamilyLife
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Dennis Rainey: Are there times in your marriage when you just don't feel like forgiving your spouse?
Guest: There's times when I do find I have trouble forgiving people. But, after thinking about it, I have come to the point to where I can, and do, forgive.[ Read Full Transcript ]
Dennis Rainey: One night, early in our marrige, Barbara wanted to talk. Well, I needed to make a phone call, which turned into two very long phone calls. An hour later, I was the last person she wanted to talk to. I had hurt my wife by not being sensitive to her needs. After a night of feeling guilty, I finally asked her to forgive me. Barbara might not have wanted to forgive, but she did it anyway, as an act of her will.
Forgiveness should be unconditional. I know some will say that's impossible, but it's not. In the Bible, Paul said, "Be gentle and ready to forgive. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others." With God's help, it IS possible to forgive, even when you don't feel like it.
One final thought. If you have truly forgiven your mate, you'll no longer have the desire to seek revenge. When that happens, you will have freed your spouse -- and yourself -- from the bonds of anger.
I'm Dennis Rainey, and that's Real Family Life.
Date: 10/6/2008 12:00:00 AM
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