#43: 5 Ways to Create a Culture of Forgiveness in Your Marriage

Why is it that our natural tendency is to become hard and insensitive toward the person we love the most? Rather than being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry (James 1:19), we're quick to defend ourselves, quick to cast blame, and slow to understand—a recipe that keeps us enslaved to self-righteousness, and too often, unable to forgive.In this episode, we talk about 5 ways you can create a culture of forgiveness in your marriage: * Forgive from the heart but set boundaries on behavior. * Don't defend yourself. * Clothe yourself in gentleness, because bitterness is unattractive. * Pray this one prayer each day for your spouse. * Take the Golden Rule and replace the word "do" with the word "understand."We also reveal the first three actions we give to a couple who call us because they feel stuck in their marriage. If you feel stuck, forgiveness may be the first place to begin.Show Notes:For counseling referrals in your local area, enter your zip code in one of the links below:Focus on the Family Counselor NetworkAmerican Association of Christian CounselorsThriveworks Blog Post: How 15 Minutes Is Changing Our MarriagePodcast Sponsors: LifeWay Women Events. For the latest events in your area, click here.      Exile International. To learn more about how you can serve war affected children, click here.