Forgiving Isn't Forgetting... It's Forgiving

My name for this blog, Encouraging Words for an Insane Wife, isn't just random. I heard someone say "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over as expecting a different result". Sound familiar? Let's have an example, shall we?
Your husband did something that hurt your feelings. I mean, really hurt your feelings. It hurt you so much that you literally felt your heart break, and it caused you to see your boo in a different light. From that day on, you still loved that man, but he looked like a different man. Days, weeks, maybe even months pass, and you have both moved on... Well, maybe he has. But every so often, there's a word that he says or a way that he moves that seems to bring to your remembrance that one thing that he did, so long ago, that hurt you so deeply. Has that ever happened? You can feel that pain right now can't you? It's like it's happening all over again at this exact moment.

Now, take a deep breath... In... Out...
And on three...
LET IT GO!
That's right I said it.  Even though that's your husband, and you love the pants off that man, you're holding a grudge. You've been reliving that hurt and going over every word and every deed that he did that fateful day. Every time he makes a face, you remember. When he stays out late, you remember. When he comes home early, you remember.
 

*knock knock* You're being insane!

What makes you think going back to that hurt over and over will make any changes in your marriage in the future? He's walking around smiling and laughing like everything is all good and you're sitting there stirring up that big pot of bitterness again.

Let me hit you with something real quick; your husband may have hurt your feelings in the worst way... But you stayed...

WOW! Oh my...

You decided to stay in your marriage. You decided to move on with your husband. So decide to forgive. No one said you have to forget. But you DO have to forgive.
Matthew 6:14 "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."
 

Yup, that's in the Bible too!

You don't forgive your husband for him. You forgive your husband so God will forgive you.
I understand that, as you are reading this, you might be asking "How am I supposed to do that?"
Well my dear, there is no specific formula for forgiving anyone, especially someone that you are around constantly. I can't right you put a recipe for you... It's just something that you have to decide within yourself that you are going to do. If you say that you are going to forgive your husband every morning, fifty times a day and every night; If that's what you have to do then do it. Spend time in prayer and ask your Father what you should do roger it done. Release that man AND that hurt. You'll feel better. It may not happen over night. But it can happen.

Now take another deep breath...
In... Out...
Go give your husband a big hug and kiss...
And forgive him :)