"Then Peter came and said to Him, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.'"
Matthew 18:21-22 (NAS)

Peter probably thought he was a pretty righteous dude to be willing to forgive the same person seven times! After all, enough is enough, isn't it? But Jesus, making a point, said SEVENTY TIMES SEVEN!

Now Jesus' response was not a license to start keeping a tally of offenses that your husband commits against you, and when it hits 490, you get to hold the grudge! Jesus was making the point that there is NEVER a time to hold on to unforgiveness.

That is a tall order. What if he is continually unsensitive to your needs? What if he has a habit of policing the family? What if he always puts the job before you and the kids? What if he is destroying your family finances? What if he is acting hateful toward you? Do you have to forgive no matter what???

Yes!! Unforgiveness is sin. It is a poison that hurts the relationship and hurts YOU. Forgiveness is the key that can unlock the door to healing in your marriage. Forgiveness is the key to 'until death do us part' commitment. Forgiveness can set the stage for God to be able to work in changing your husband's heart.

Did you know that unforgiveness can cause you health problems? Forgiveness will release YOU from the tension and stress that comes from holding a grudge.

Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling. You do not have to feel all 'ooshy-gooshy' in order to forgive. But you do have to make a conscious choice to release him from his guilt. Anytime those bad thoughts toward your husband try to resurface, say, 'NO! I have forgiven him. I will not go there.'

When it's hard to forgive, remember how much Jesus forgave YOU. If He can forgive you, you can forgive your husband. Choose to forgive. It will bring healing to you and to your marriage!

PRAYER: Father, it's hard to forgive when we are hurting. I ask that you would help us to override the temptation to hang onto grudges. Help us to choose to forgive others as Jesus has forgiven us! In Jesus' name, amen.

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